SPA Election to be held
Pyongyang May 21 ( KCNA ) - The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued a decision concerning election of deputies to the 10th SPA.
The document dated May 20 says (1998) according to article 90 of the DPRK socialist constitution.
S. Korean teachers issue declaration
Pyongyang, May 20 (KCNA) -- Some 1,000 South Korean primary and high school teachers who are affiliated to the Seoul branch of the national union of teachers published a declaration in a press conference on may 15 clarifying their view of the economic failure, a Seoul-based radio reported.
They said they published the declaration because they could not ignore the sufferings of schoolchildren who were unable to pay even registration fee due to massive layoffs.
They urged the puppet "government" authorities to carry out radical reforms including reduction of military spendings, with the introduction of foreign capital not enough to overcome the economic crisis.
Pointing out that a large number of students find it difficult to buy textbooks for hardships in living, the teachers also urged the authorities to take measures for them.
Enlarged plenary meeting of Korean Buddhist Federation central committee
Pyongyang, May 20 (KCNA) -- An enlarged plenary meeting of the central committee of the Korean Buddhist Federation was held in Pyongyang on May 15 to accelerate the reunification of the country in response to the five-point policy of great national unity set forth by General Kim Jong Il in his work "Let Us Reunify the Country Independently and Peacefully Through the Great Unity of the Entire Nation" on April 18, Juche 87 (1998).
Most venerable Pak Thae Ho, Chairman of the central committee of the federation, made a report, which was followed by speeches.
Reporter and speakers expressed their strong determination to accelerate national reunification in line with the five-point policy of great national unity.
An appeal to overseas Buddhists was adopted at the meeting.
Present were members of the central committee of the federation, chairmen of its provincial, city and county committees, resident priests of temples throughout the country, senior Buddhists, monks and believers in Pyongyang.
Rodong Sinmun calls for unity with independence- advocating people
Pyongyang, May 20 (KCNA) -- Strengthening unity with independence-advocating people around the world is an invariable policy of the workers' party and government of Korea, says Rodong Sinmun in an article today.
Maintaining independence is the guidelines of common struggle and the banner of unity for the world's progressive people in successfully accomplishing the cause of independence, the daily says, and continues:
The struggle for independence is a sacred one for terminating all sorts of domination and subjugation and enjoying an independent, creative life.
If the progressive people are to win the struggle, they should unite under the banner of independence.
The present situation requires all the progressive people in the world to closely unite with each other and invigorate the anti-imperialist struggle for independence.
They should achieve unity on the principle of independence.
They should be deeply aware of the imperialists' crafty policy of domination and their methods of aggression and unite closer under the banner of anti-imperialism and independence so as to promote global independence.
All the nations aspiring after independence should develop relations and friendship with each other on the principle of equality and mutual benefits.
All the independence-advocating people of the world should pool their efforts in the struggle for defending their interests and rights in the international arena. Only then, can they check the imperialists' highhanded practices.
We will as ever promote the independence of the whole world by achieving unity with the world's progressive people on the principle of independence.
Torchlight in harnessing nature
Pyongyang, May 20 (KCNA) -- Great nature-remaking projects of Korea began with the Pothong River improvement project.
The river, which flows through the centre of Pyongyang, the capital city, was often flooded by heavy rainstorms before the liberation of the country. In 1942 more than 2,000 hectares of farm land and over 1,000 houses were inundated and many people were drowned.
President Kim Il Sung initiated the Pothong River improvement project right after the liberation of the country and came out to the spot on May 21, Juche 35 (1946).
At the ground-breaking ceremony he made an address, before taking the first shovel in person, that the Pothong River improvement project was the first work with which Pyongyang citizens would contribute to building a new democratic Korea and the work for the liberated Korean people to harness nature for the first time.
Thanks to the repeated on-spot guidance of the President and the patriotic enthusiasm of the citizens, the project was completed in 55 days. The Japanese imperialists had failed to finish it for ten years.
Waterway of the river was detoured and a 9-kilometer canal and 3 million-square meter recreation grounds were built instead.
Standing on the river, once thick with wormwood stalks and weeds, are Chollima, Rakwon, Pipha, Kyonghung, Hasin and Changgwang streets with high- and ultra high-storied buildings in rows. And the victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, the People's Palace of Culture, the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium, the Changgwang Health Complex, the International Telecommunications Centre and many other monumental edifices have been built.
Indeed, the change on and around the river adds lustre to the landscape of Pyongyang and shows well part of the Korean society that has changed beyond recognition.
In order to hand the President's undying feats for the river down through generations, the Korean people erected the monument to the Pothong River improvement project in May 1971, 25 years after he took the first shovel in person.
Korea observes May 21 every year as day of builders.
Gold ring of Ri Dynasty unearthed
Pyongyang, May 20 (KCNA) -- The Korean folklore museum recently exhibited a gold ring used during the Ri dynasty (1392-1910). It was unearthed in Paektho pass in Sejuk-ri, Nyongbyon county, North Phyongan Province.
Archaeologists confirmed that it was manufactured at the end of the Ri Dynasty and that it was a souvenir ring given by a fiance to his fiancee.
It was made of pure gold of 11.32 grams. A peach was engraved in its middle part and chrysanthemum and plum flowers in its fringes.
This eloquently shows the beautiful aspiration and character of the Korean people who have kind and strong dispositions and steadfast principles.
Rings were used in Korea from ancient times as a finger ornament.
In the Ri Dynasty, rings were made of gold, silver, copper, amber and white gem, and peach, tree leaves, flowers and birds were chiefly engraved in them.
The newly-unearthed gold ring is an excellent national inheritance of the Korean nation, which makes it possible to have a better knowledge of gold workmanship in those days.
Utterly nonsensical jargon = KCNA commentary =
Pyongyang, May 20 (KCNA) -- Recently, honorary Chairman Jong Ju Yong of South Korea's "Hyundai Business Group" expressed the hope to visit his hometown in the north of Korea and come into the north through Panmunjom with 1,000 cows.
We are appreciating his patriotic hope and overhauling it.
However, Kang In Dok, Minister of "National Unification" of South Korea, is hindering the passage of Jong and his party through Panmunjom, while abusing the north with downright lies.
He alleged that "foot-and-mouth diseases fatal to cattle and pigs" are prevailing in the north and that the north and the south were "discussing" quarantine methods.
The purpose of his groundless allegation is illustrated by his career full of anti-communism and anti-north plots and by the anti-north, anti-reunification acts he has perpetrated since he became the "Minister of National Unification" a few months ago.
The inter-Korean vice Minister-level contact arranged in Beijing by our sincere efforts was deadlocked due to the separatist position of the Kang-bossed "Ministry of National Unification" seeking confrontation with the north.
Kang's allegation reveals a sinister intention to openly slander the north and prohibit even non-governmental exchange and cooperation.
As long as such separatists as Kang remain in the "Ministry of National Unification" it is hard to expect dialogue, cooperation and exchange between the north and the south.
If he is left intact in the Ministry dealing with inter-Korean relations, the nation can get nothing but misfortune.
The fact proves again that "dialogue" and "exchange" the South Korean authorities are calling for are an empty talk aimed at camouflaging their policy of confrontation.
If the South Korean regime truly hopes for inter-Korean dialogue and exchange, it should replace the anti-north confrontation policy with a pro-north reconciliation policy and, above all, dismiss such confrontation-maniacs as Kang In Dok.
Korean government military delegation leaves for Syria
Pyongyang, May 20 (KCNA) -- A government military delegation of the DPRK led by vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Jo Myong Rok, Director of the General Political Department of the KPA, left here today for a visit to Syria.
It was sent off at the airport by chief of the general staff of the KPA Kim Yong Chun and first vice-Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Il Chol who are KPA vice marshals, vice-Minister of foreign affairs Kang Sok Ju, KPA General Pak Jae Gyong, general officers.
Charge d'affaires ad interim of the Syrian embassy here Bassam Al-Haj Hussein was on hand.