Foreign Ministry spokesman on DPRK-U.S. talks

Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry was interviewed by KCNA today as regards high-level talks to be held between the DPRK and the United States. The spokesman said: DPRK-U.S. high-level talks will be held in New York in mid-August. With the date of the talks yet to be decided, however, there have been rumours that the talks are "part of negotiations" between nations concerned in the "four-way talks." The forthcoming talks have a different meaning from high-level talks the DPRK and the United States agreed to regularize. As was already reported, the DPRK suspended the storage of spent fuel rods at the final stage in April because of a serious imbalance between the DPRK and the United States in the implementation of the bilateral framework agreement. It decided to wait until the United States takes an appropriate step concerning the implementation of the agreement. In fact, all our nuclear activities have been frozen and the safekeeping of spent fuel rods has reached a final stage in accordance with the DPRK-U.S. framework agreement. But the U.S. side has not taken substantial steps for lifting sanctions as part of efforts to renounce the hostile policy towards the DPRK. Though nearly one year has passed since the groundbreaking ceremony of light water reactors, the project has not begun on a fullscale. The insufficient supply of heavy oil has plunged our economy into a great confusion. Now that the two sides are obliged to perform their duties simultaneously under the DPRK-U.S. framework agreement, w could not continue unilateral performance of our duty. Accordingly, we could not but stop the safekeeping of spent fuel rods. Later, the U.S. side worked to some extent for the supply of light water reactors and heavy oil and proposed to have DPRK-U.S. high-level talks and discuss problems arising in the implementation of the framework agreement. We, therefore, decided to respond to the proposal. We will sincerely appproach the talks with a constructive stand and make every possible effort to keep the framework agreement in effect. We will decide our future action according to the results of the talks. As far as the "four-way talks" are concerned, we have declared more than once that our consistent position is to make every effort for peace and security on the Korean peninsula. It was due to different views between the DPRK and the U.S. That the second round of "four-way talks" in march came to a standstill. Removal of different views between the two countries is urgently essential for resumption of the "four-way talks." in this regard, a third party has nothing to do. As long as the main problems between the two countries remain unsolved, no big progress can be expected from the "four-way talks" even if the talks are resumed. We hope the two sides will settle the problems smoothly at the upcoming DPRK-U.S. high-level talks lest we should have to make an undesirable option.

Meeting held to welcome delegation of Jilin Yuwen Middle School

Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held at Changdok School on August 12 to welcome a delegation of Jilin Yuwen Middle School of China. Kim Chun Hui, deputy principal of changdok School, said in her speech that Jilin Yuwen Middle School, where President Kim Il Sung studied progressive ideas and waged revolutionary activities against the Japanese imperialists in his early years, is brightly shining in the hearts of the two peoples of Korea and China. Chang Shiping, deputy principal of Jilin Yuwen Middle School and head of the delegation, said in his speech that it is an eternal pride and honour of his school that President Kim Il Sung, the leader of the Korean people and a close friend of the Chinese people, studied and waged revolutionary activities at the school. The two schools are the places where the President, studied and waged revolutionary activities in his early years and his august name closely linked the two schools, he noted. Prior to the meeting, the delegation laid a bouquet and made a bow before the statue of the President at Changdok School. The delegation looked round the school and enjoyed an art performance given by art circle members of the school.

S. Korean authorities criticized for suppression of pro-reunification forces

Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) released a statement on August 8 denouncing the South Korean authorities for escalating the fascist suppression of pro-reunification forces with the August 15 grand festival at hand, said Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation. The statement said prosecution, the "Agency for National Security Planning," police and all other "government" power have been mobilized in South Korea to arrest leading members of the south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) and the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) and to ransack venues of events. The South Korean authorities should clearly see the trend of the time, allow the participation in the pro-reunification festival of the Pomminryon south headquarters and Hanchongryon, stop describing them as "enemy-benefiting organizations" and release the arrested patriotic-minded people and students at once, it urged.

Overseas Koreans here to participate in August 15 festival

Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- Overseas Korean compatriots continue arriving here to participate in a "Grand Festival for National Reconciliation, Unity and Reunification." Arriving here on August 12 were a delegation of Chongryon (General Association of Korean Residents in Japan) led by Kim Thae Hui, vice-chairman of the its central standing committee= a delegation of the Japan regional headquarters of Pomminryon (Nnational Aalliance for the Ccountry's Reunification) led by chairman Ryang Tong Min= a delegation of the Association of Koreans in Japan for Peaceful Reunification led by chairman Ri Jong Hwal= a delegation of the central association of Korean nationals in Russia led by secretary general Jang Sun Jong= a delegation of the United Confederation of Koreans in the Far East, Russia, led by vice-chairperson Choe Hwa Ja= a delegation of the Association of Democratic Korean Women in Japan led by vice-chairperson Han Jae Sun= a delegation of Korean Youths and Students in Japan led by Jo Son O, vice-chairman of the central standing committee of the Korean Youth League in Japan= a delegation of the Union of Democratic Korean Women in Japan led by vice-chairperson Kim Jong Hwa= a delegation of men of Literature and Art of Chongryon led by Hong Ryong Wol, permanent advisor to the Kumgangsan Opera Troupe under Chongryon= a delegation of the headquarters of Koreans in Japan of Pomminryon led by chairman Choe Il Su= a delegation of the "South Korean Youth League in Japan" led by chairman of the central headquarters Hang Yong Chi= a delegation of the "Council of South Korean Students in Japan for National Reunification" led by chairman Ri Yong Ho= Ri Kwang Il, chairman of the Korean Veterans Committee in Moscow= chairman of the United Confederation of Koreans in Ukraine, Kim Yong Sul who is delegate of the federation= chairman of the Tyumen city committee of the United Confederation of Koreans in Russia An Hyang San who is delegate of the Federation= president of the "Institute of South Korean Affairs" Kang Jong Hon who is delegate of the institute= and chairman of the "Association of South Korean Literary Men in Japan" Kim Ri Bak who is delegate of the association.

Stop to moves to obstruct pro-reunification festival demanded

Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- Organizations in South Korea reportedly published a joint article entitled "immediate stop to moves of obstructing the grand pro-reunification festival" on August 9. The organizations were the south preparatory committee for "Grand Festival for National Reconciliation, Unity and Reunification," the south headquarters for the promotion of "9th Pan-National Rally for Peace and Reunification of the Country" and the south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon). In the article they said: It was reported that the south promotion headquarters for "Grand Festival for National Reconciliation and Peaceful Reunification," which is different from the grand festival to be held in Panmunjom, proposed to the north side that a permanent vice-chairman of the pomminryon south headquarters attend, in private capacity, the working-level talks in Panmunjom on August 11. This false report is intended to do harm to the south preparatory committee for the festival and the south headquarters of Pomminryon and it is a part of moves obstructing the festival. We strongly condemn the south promotion headquarters for having made the report, together with "Minhwahyop", in an attempt to neutralize the non-governmental pro-reunification forces and check non-governmental debate on reunification. The article called upon all the pro-reunification, patriotic forces, who are fighting dauntlessly for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country, to pool efforts and conduct more valiant struggle against the "government".

Improvement trade centre

Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- Production is going up at factories under the Unha Associated Trading Bureau of Korea with the approach of the 50th National Holiday (September 9). According to data available, the garment production increased 20 percent in the last two months as against the previous cooresponding period. The Tongdaewon Garment Factory, the Wonsan Export Garment Factory, the Hamhung Garment Factory and many other factories are these days fulfilling their daily assignments at 140 or 150 percent. The Unha Associated Trading Bureau is one of the nation's reliable improvement trade centres. It has more than a hundred factories and enterprises at home and companies and branches abroad. The bureau is situated in Pyongyang on the bank of the Taedong River. It is engaged in production and trade activities through the solid fibre and garment processing bases. It is also engaged in bonded garment processing and the production of ordered goods. It has an embroidery institute and a technological preparation office for export samples. Various kinds of men's and women's ready-made clothes, padded clothes, jumpers and other garments produced by it are popular in Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries. Demands for its goods are increasing abroad.

Monggumpho

Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- Monggumpho, one of Korea's scenic wonders, is situated on the west coast in south Hwanghae Province. Traditionally labelled "dazzling beach with green pines," it presents an 8 km-long silver-white sand beach hemmed in by evergreen thickets. The summer adds to the scene with red sweet briers intercepting the thickets. The sight of sunset is spectacular. Stand on the Sungson Peak of queer cliffs topped by greens and look at the sun sinking below the horizon and you get impressed by the sea boiling over like lava and the golden waters dancing about. Viewed from the elephant-shaped rock, the highest point around the beach, the folding-screen rocks look like a row of spears similar to the renowned Manmulsang (rocks of ten thousand shapes) of Kumgang mountains. Southwest of Monggumpho there is Jangsan cape, a steep precipice slanting down into the sea against the background of the thick forests. The clear water offers a nice swimming-place. Monggumpho is rich in varieties of resources, represented, among others, by the world-famous, quality sand used in glass-making and iron casting. The sand is said to have been formed after 400 to 900 million years of weather-bitten eroding of quartzite. The beach grows a variety of effective medicinal herbs. The offshore waters are a favourite habitat for pacific sand launce, anchovy, hairtail, croaker and others.

Statement of Pomminryon north headquarters spokesman

Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the north headquarters of Pomminryon (National Alliance for the Country's Reunification) released a statement accusing the south Korean authorities of desperately trying to obstruct the August 15 Grand Pro-Reunification Festival. The statement said: As was already reported, the South Korean authorities declared a state of emergency throughout Seoul and put tens of thousands strong police on full alert to check August pro-reunification events prepared by the south headquarters of Pomminryon and the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon). Main universities have been encircled by police and a wholesale search and arrest launched in Seoul. The fascist suppression is part of the South Korean authorities' premediated moves to obstruct the festival. It is aimed at describing the south headquarters of Pomminryon and Hanchongryon as "enemy-benefiting organizations" and stifling them. Their reckless suppression has reached a very grave stage that may lead to a bloodshed. The north headquarters of Pomminryon bitterly denounces the suppression as an intolerable crime chilling all the fellow countrymen's desire for reunification. No one can vouch that there will not be one more bloodshed in South Korea as a result of the frantic moves of the authorities who are trying to block the August 15 pro-reunification events. The South Korean "government" authorities must be mindful that the more they engage themselves in frantic suppression of pro-reunification, pro-democracy forces, the more heinous crimes they will commit against the nation. They must immediately stop suppressing the south headquarters of Pomminryon and Hanchongryon and blocking the festival promoted by the two organisations. The north headquarters of Pomminryon will fully support the just, patriotic struggle of those organisations which are demonstrating their indomitable will and stamina without the slightest vacillation in the teeth of harsh suppression and moves for disintegration, and will always fight together with them for national reunification and unity in firm solidarity.

DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman on explosions in Tanzania and Kenya

Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK answered questions put by a KCNA reporter today as regards bomb explosions near U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. He said: According to news reports, strong explosions took place near the U.S. embassies on the morning of August 7, leaving over 10 Americans and more than 100 Africans dead and thousands of other people wounded. We feel deep regret about heavy casualties caused by the tragic explosions. The explosions remind the international community of the seriousness of terrorism. All countries should join hands in eradicating terrorist acts. A dignified U.N. member, our republic has consistently opposed all sorts of terrorist acts and any support for them. We will in the future, too, invariably adhere to our principled stand against terrorism as a whole.

We will follow Japanese government's diplomatic stance toward DPRK

Pyongyang, August 13 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK answered a question put by KCNA today as regards the Japanese Prime Minister's recent speech concerning he relations with the DPRK. He said: According to a foreign press report, Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi told the diet on August 7 that he would try to rectify the abnormal relations between Japan and the DPRK. It is important in diplomacy to faithfully implement agreements reached between both sides. We will follow the Japanese government's diplomatic stance toward the DPRK and its future movement.