Film show on 50th anniversary of Indian independence
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- A film show was held at the People's Palace of Culture on May 26 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Indian independence.
Invited to the film show were Indian ambassador to Korea Jagjit Singh Sapra and embassy officials.
Present were Ryang Tal Ju, vice-Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and vice-Chairman of the Korea-India Friendship Association, Sin An Bang, vice-Chairman of the Pyongyang City Administrative and Economic Committee, other officials concerned and working people in the city.
Participants saw an Indian feature film.
Rodong Sinmun calls upon world people to unite in anti-imperialist struggle
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung led the cause of global independence to victory.
What is most important here is that he put forward the slogan calling for the unity of the world people who advocate independence and strengthened the might of the anti-imperialist independent forces in every way.
Rodong Sinmun says this in a signed article today.
The daily goes on:
In order to win a victory in the crucial struggle accompanying a fierce confrontation with the imperialist, dominationist forces, all the progressive countries and peace-loving people of the world must support, solidarize and unite firmly with each other on the basis of independence.
For the firm unity of the world people who advocate independence on the joint front against imperialism, it is important to heighten vigilance against the imperialists' moves for disruption and alienation and keep the principled stand toward them.
The progressive people of the world should dispel illusions about and fear of imperialism and resolutely defend the independent stand against imperialism.
Imperialism is by no means a fearful being. If all the anti-imperialist forces unite to deliver collective counterblows to imperialism, it will be incompetent.
All the progressive countries and peace-loving people of the world should firmly unite on the joint front against imperialism on the basis of the common desire for independence, regardless of the differences in system, ideology, religious belief and race and the level of economic development.
Particularly, they should refrain from compromising with imperialism, keeping a wide berth of and rejecting other countries while thinking of their own national interests and actively develop friendship and cooperation among countries on the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in other's internal affairs, equality and reciprocity.
The non-aligned and other developing countries should loudly advocate independence against imperialism in the United Nations and the international arena and ensure unanimity of action in dealing with all international issues.
Frantic war exercises in S. Korea
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- An engineer unit of the South Korean puppet army staged frantic mobile exercises on the lower part of the River Han on May 25, a Seoul-based radio reported.
Helicopters, tanks, armoured cars and many combat means and forces were mobilized in the war game staged on the plea of perfecting a river-crossing operation for "contingency" on the Korean peninsula.
The warmongers said that the war game was aimed at increasing a joint river-crossing capacity of engineer, air and chemical units and marine corps and at mastering the process of helicopter transport of armed forces and military hardware.
This fully reveals the bellicose nature of the present South Korean rulers.
Fascist dictator reveals his true colors - Rodong Sinmun
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- The South Korean puppets met on Monday and decided to mobilize government power to strictly cope with a general strike of the (south) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions slated today. They described it as an "illegal strike," alleging that it may "impair authority and cause disorder."
Rodong Sinmun today bitterly condemns the decision as the fascist dictator's vicious step not to allow the least sign of democratic freedom and vital rights.
In a commentary the daily says it reveals the puppets' intention to crack down on the workers' strike under any pretext and shackle them to the fetters of the anti-social, fascist labor system so as to emerge from their crisis and prop up their regime.
The traitorous regime, which tramples down the vital rights of the workers and intends to brutally suppress them, cannot be called a "government of the people," the daily says.
No matter how harsh their suppression may be, the South Korean workers will fight undauntedly for their vital rights with concerted efforts, it adds.
Flunkeyist act of traitor = KCNA commentary =
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- The present South Korean ruler on May 25 sent a "message" to the U.S. soldiers present in South Korea allegedly to "commemorate the Memorial Day of the American War Dead" in which he prayed for the "souls" of the American war dead, saying that they "dedicated their precious lives to the defence of world peace and democracy," according to a report.
This is a foolish misdeed which can be done only by a traitor who is infected with flunkeyist to his marrow.
As is well known to the world, the U.S. aggressors made a surprise invasion on North Korea on June 25, 1950, and in three years of war, they murdered innocent Korean people in cold blood. This is an undeniable historic fact. In addition, the U.S. started wars in different parts of the world and violated world peace and democracy.
They are provokers of aggression and war and a cancer and wrecker of world peace and democracy.
Exalting them to the skies, the South Korean ruler prattled that "today's security and democracy come from the sacrifices of U.S. soldiers." his remarks are stirring up indignation of the people.
This eloquently shows that although he styles himself a "defender of democracy", he is a de facto wrecker of democracy and a rare warmonger who takes war as the way of existence. It also clearly proves that he is a flunkeyist and traitor who surpasses five traitors of 1905, who cannot exist even a single day without the support from the American masters and throws sheep's eyes at them, believing them as saviours.
The nation will certainly make him pay for his flunkeyist and traitorous misdeeds.
Unveiled ambition for world supremacy = KCNA commentary =
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- The United States and South Korea are reportedly going ahead with revision of the aggressive and submissive "mutual defense treaty."
The "revision of the treaty" provides a glimpse of the United States' anachronistic ambition for perpetuating its military presence in South Korea and, with it as a springboard, dominating Asia and the world.
Since the Cold War was terminated, the United States has found no reason to keep its troops on the Korean peninsula, and the U.S.-South Korea "mutual defense treaty," which legalizes the U.S. military presence in South Korea for an indefinite period, has no longer had a raison d'etre.
But the United States, going against the trend of the time, is adding new dimensions to its strategy for world supremacy through the "revision of the treaty."
It is inveigling even Japan into the military alliance through the revised "treaty" and extending the target of its strategy in the whole of northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
The "revision of the treaty" following the arrangement of new U.S.-Japan "security cooperation guidelines" proves that the first target of the world supremacy strategy in the next century is the Asian continent, as shown by the post-Cold War strategy in Europe, that is eastward expansion of NATO.
The U.S. is saying that it will establish "reciprocal security partnership" with the South Korean colonial puppets. But it is nothing but a deceptive trick to improve their public image and fully use South Korea's human and material resources as its cannon fodder in war.
Our people categorically reject the "revision of the treaty," part of the U.S. strategy for world supremacy, and will staunchly fight for Korean reunification in an independent way and for peace in Asia and the world in unity with Asian and other peaceloving people of the world.
Japan should talk sense = KCNA commentary =
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi, at a meeting with the South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade on May 22, said that the "North is not showing a constructive response" to to issue of "suspected kidnapping of Japanese."
"Suspected kidnapping" which the Japanese authorities raise on every opportunity is a despicable political intrigue of the South Korean puppets and the Japanese rightwing reactionaries to incite confrontation with the DPRK. We feel hatred for the foreign minister of Japan who is resorting to a petty trick to cover up their past crimes by dancing to the tune of plotters, not distinguishing the fact from a plot.
Obuchi should talk sense.
As for the crime of kidnapping, Japan should not shamelessly talk about the matter of some missing persons, but it is proper for Japan to give a full accounting for whereabouts of millions of Koreans whom it carried away in broad daylight from Korea, inflicted inhuman sufferings and killed.
According to conservative estimate, the Japanese imperialists kidnapped and carried away nearly six million Koreans during their occupation of Korea. It is Japanese imperialism that took kidnapped about 200,000 Korean women and forced them to serve as "comfort women for the army."
And it is Japanese imperialism kidnapped and carried away more than one million innocent Koreans. The crimes of Japanese imperialism would remain indelible even it the Japanese nation atone for them generation after generation.
Nevertheless, the Japanese authorities are trying to cover up their historic crimes with the non-existent "suspected kidnapping" case like the thief turning on the master with a club, only to bring their shamelessness and moral inferiority into bolder relief.
The Korean people are enraged with the Japanese authorities who are talking about the "suspected kidnapping" to conceal their crimes.
The Japanese authorities should not fake up such a plot as "suspected kidnapping" but apologize and compensate for the historic crimes committed against the Korean people.
Heads of state on friendly relations with DPRK
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- Foreign heads of state referred to developing the friendly relations with the DPRK, when they recently met the DPRK ambassadors to their countries.
Sani Abacha, Nigerian head of state, hoped that the north and south of Korea would be reunified at an early date and the relations between the DPRK and Nigeria would be strengthened onto a higher stage in all domains in the interests of the two peoples.
Lao President Khamtay Siphandone said that the relationship between Laos and the DPRK is the traditional one which was personally provided by the leaders of the two countries, and the Lao party and government will make positive efforts to develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori pointed to the friendly relations between the two countries, hoping that Korea would overcome the prevailing economic difficulties and achieve the prosperity and progress of the country.
Improvement of inter-Korean relations, essential for great national unity
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- Improving relations between the north and south of Korea is essential for national unity and reunification, says Rodong Sinmun in a bylined article today.
The daily goes on:
The anti-north confrontation policy of the South Korean puppet ruling quarters is the factor of misunderstanding and distrust between the north and south and the stumbling block to national reconciliation and unity.
Pointing to the tasks to improve inter-Korean relations, the daily continues:
If inter-Korean relations are to be improved, the South Korean authorities must make a policy switchover and all the fascist, anti-reunification institutional machines and barriers must be removed in South Korea.
They must make a resolute decision to break with the old past of anti-north confrontation, as desired and demanded by all the fellow countrymen in the north, south and abroad.
If they make a policy switchover with a patriotic position and take the road of reconciliation with the north, inter-Korean relations will develop into relations of trust and reconciliation and, accordingly, a new phase will be opened in achieving national unity and reunification.
In order to improve the deadlocked relations between the north and south and achieve great national unity, it is imperative to have the notorious "National Security Law" and "Agency for National Security Planning" abrogated and dissolved. Only then, can the north and south reconcile and deepen trust with each other and make a free debate on and activities for reunification. It is great national unity wanted by our fellow countrymen.
All the fellow countrymen in the north, south and abroad will certainly accelerate national reunification, the cherished desire of the Korean nation by invigorating the movement for national reunification in hearty response to the five-point policy of great national unity clarified by General Kim Jong Il.
Foreign embassy officials help farmers in rice-transplanting
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- Officials of foreign embassies here helped Korean farmers in rice-transplanting Which is now in full swing.
Cuban, Iranian, Mongolian, Indian, Pakistani and Chinese embassy officials and Syrian embassy officials and students studying in Korea went to the cooperative farms which have friendly relations with their countries to help farmers.
They helped farmers in rice-transplanting, deepening friendly feelings.
S. Korean economy in serious crisis
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- The South Korean economic crisis has got steadily worse and worse since the appearance of a new regime giving in to the colonial domination and predatory pressure of the international monetary fund.
In 100 days after South Korea was placed under the IMF's trusteeship, nearly 20,000 businesses went bankrupt.
A total of 53,000 businesses are expected to go insolvent this year.
Even those which have narrowly escaped from bankruptcy are suspending operations indefinitely. The operation rate of manufacturing companies was 68 percent in January, but it dropped to 65 percent in April.
Due to bankruptcies, financial difficulty and introduced layoff system, the number of the actual unemployed reached 1.6 million in mid-march.
Now more than 70 percent of the manufacturing companies are proceeding with layoffs.
The number of the actual unemployed is likely to reach two million at the end of the year. This means one of four or five workers will lose his job.
Celebrated picture show
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- A celebrated picture show is under way at the Pyongyang International House of Cuture.
On display there are 40 works of art worthy of national treasure including 11 Korean paintings which General Kim Jong Il saw personally.
They include those depicting scenic spots on Mt. Chilbo, those full of national flavour such as the Korean paintings "Flower of White Apricot" and "Old Cattle Market" and those dealing with the Korean people's aspirations and will for national reunification such as "migratory birds flying over the barrier of division."
Foreign Ministry spokesman on Japan's design of overseas military expansion
Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today released a statement concerning Japan's legislative arrangements related to the "Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Guidelines."
Some time ago, the Japanese government discussed bills for the implementation of the final report on the new "guidelines" at a cabinet meeting and submitted them to the diet. They are "bill on emergency in areas surrounding Japan," "amendment to the law on the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF)" and "amendment to the agreement on supply of materials and manpower between Japan and the United States."
The bills put not only the Korean peninsula and Taiwan but extensive areas of Asia and the west Pacific region in the scope of "emergency in areas surrounding Japan" which has drawn a widespread discussion in Japan.
The fact shows again that Japan has chosen the Korean peninsula as the first target of its aggression and invariably sought to dominate the whole of Asia by military force with the peninsula as a springboard, the spokesman said, and continued:
In the bills, Japan indefinitely expands the sphere of logistic support of the "SDF" and the scope of supplies for U.S. military operations and codifies the rights to dispatch warships and warplanes overseas and allow the "SDF" to use weapons outside Japan under the pretext of "rescuing Japanese." This means that Japan has provided legal conditions for expanding the scope of military operations of the "SDF" and allowing its participation in U.S. military actions.
If the bills are passed through the diet, they will legalize overseas troop dispatch of the "SDF" and its military action.
We will never remain a passive onlooker to the war preparations the Japanese rulers have accelerated against the DPRK, persistently pursuing a hostile policy towards Korea.
If Japan encroaches upon our sovereignty even a little bit with the backing of the United States, it can never retrieve itself from defeat. The reactionary rulers of Japan must give up the anachronistic design of overseas military expansion and act with prudence.