Letter to Kim Jong Il from festival participants

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a letter of thanks on August 16 from the participants in the "Grand Festival for National Reconciliation, Unity and Reunification." The letter says that the grand festival, the first nationwide gathering after the historic April north-south joint conference initiated and directed by the President Kim Il Sung, was a significant festival for great national unity and reunification, which demonstrated the unity of the 70 million fellow countrymen and the future of the country to be reunified. The festival was successfully held in spite of the persistent obstructive moves of the separatists within and without, it notes, and says: It is entirely thanks to your noble idea of great national unity and your deep care. You published a work on national reunification on August 4 last year and advanced the five-point policy of great national unity in April this year, thus giving the entire fellow countrymen a fresh confidence in and a bright prospect for national reconciliation and unity. The letter stresses that they will work harder to make a breakthrough for the reunification of the country in near future, mindful that strict application of Kim Jong Il's idea of great national unity will lead to genuine national reconciliation, unity and reunification.

Junggang Primary School named after Kim Ok Gun

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The Junggang Primary School was named after Kim Ok Gun, a hero of the republic, and his bust was unveiled with due ceremony on August 16. The school, his alma mater, is situated in Junggang county, Jagang Province, on the bank of the Amnok River in northwestern part of Korea. Kim Ok Gun silenced enemy's machine gun with his body and contributed to the victory of his unit in the Battle of Height 662.6 in December 1950 during the Fatherland Liberation War.

Joint excursion team visits Kaesong

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- A joint team of Pomchonghakryon (National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification) for excursion to historical sites in the north visited Kaesong, the capital of the Koryo dynasty, on August 16. Koryo was the first unified state of Korea, which existed for 475 years from 918. The visitors went round the Koryo Museum and the mausoleum of Wang Kon, the first King of Koryo. After the visit, Kim Tae Won, delegate from the south side of the team, wrote in the visitor's book that his visit to the mausoleum enabled him to know Koryo was a state that inherited the orthodox of the resourceful Korean nation. South Korea's view of history distorted by the division must be corrected at an early date, he added. Another delegate from the south, Hwang Son, wrote that through the visit, she could know it was not Shilla but Koryo that was the first unified state. The visitors also went to the mausoleum of Kongmin, the 31st King of Koryo, Manwoldae and Sonjuk Bridge.

S. Korean priests leave

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Priests of the South Korean Catholic Priests' Council for Justice left here on Monday. They were seen off at the airport by Jang Jae Chol, chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Catholics' Association, and other officials concerned. During their stay in the north, they took part in the rally for unity of compatriots and other events of the August 15 grand pro-reunification festival and visited Jangchung Cathedral and other places in Pyongyang.

Warmongers warned to act with prudence

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today comments on the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise codenamed Ulji Focus Lens now being staged in South Korea from August 17. The news analyst says: The U.S. and the South Korean warmongers announced the plan of the provocative war game before the August 15 grand pro-reunification festival and are driving the situation to the brink of war, firing bullets and shells in the sky and on the ground and the sea in South Korea. The Korean people cannot remain a passive onlooker. The exercise is being staged allegedly to cope with the DPRK's "provocation against South Korea." this reminds one of a thief crying "stop thief." this is an unpardonable challenge and a sort of declaration of war against the DPRK, which is making all sincere efforts for national reconciliation, unity, peace and reunification. The frantic military exercise shows once again that the South Korean authorities are out-and-out warmongers and traitors who wish to unify the country by invading the north. The United States' joint war game with South Korean warmongers is a perfidy to the DPRK and an act breaking its framework agreement with the DPRK in which it promised to stop hostile acts and improve relations with the DPRK.

Celebration for DPRK founding anniversary called for

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Peruvian political parties,including the Communist Party (Red Motherland) and the Socialist Party published a joint appeal to world progressive political parties and peoples on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The appeal said that colorful celebrations should be organised to mark the 50th founding anniversary of the DPRK as an international holiday common to humankind which will be greeted with Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the great leader of the Korean people, as the DPRK President. It called for more vigorous solidarity movement to support the WPK and the Korean people struggling to defend and advance socialism, frustrating the anti-DPRK moves of the imperialist reactionary forces and overcoming repeated natural disasters with singlehearted unity. It also called for a world-wide solidarity movement to accelerate the independent reunification of Korea, the cherished desire of the Korean nation and aspirations of humankind.

Indian public figure refers to 50th anniversary of DPRK

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- S. Chatterjee, a member of the Parliament of India, was interviewed by the KCNA correspondent in New Delhi on August 6 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the DPRK. He said that the history of 50 years covered by the DPRK holds the most brilliant place in the modern history of Korea. The Korean people could demonstrate to the whole world the advantages of socialism in defiance of continued vicious challenges of the imperialists thanks to the tested guidance of the President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il, he noted. The DPRK is a powerful state of the world which the imperialists cannot dare pounce upon, he said. Led by Kim Jong Il, the supreme leader of the DPRK, the world people's struggle for justice, peace and socialism will advance powerfully.

S. Korean authorities' anti-reunification moves criticised

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The August 15 pro-reunification events in South Korea were held in the teeth of the persistent obstruction and harsh suppression by the separatists. Minju Joson today, commenting on this, says: The South Korean rulers cracked down upon the pro-reunification event at Seoul National University at the point of bayonet, charging members of the south headquarters of Pomminryon (National Alliance for the Country's Reunification) and Hanchongryon (South Korean Federation of University Student Councils) with being "enemy-benefiting elements", and blocked their participation in the Panmunjom grand pro-reunification festival. This is an unpardonable anti-national, anti-reunification crime. The pro-reunification event sponsored by the two organizations was for reunification and patriotism. The crackdown showed that "reconciliation" and "cooperation" called for by the South Korean authorities were nothing but a camouflage to cover up their policy for division, confrontation and war.

Construction projects completed

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Several construction projects have been completed in Korea to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Kowon Mine, a production centre of nonferrous metal ore on the east coast in the central part of the country, was newly commissioned. Constructors secured an ore deposit of over 1500 million square metres, built over 10 ore-dressing shops and paved an 8 km-long road for ore transportation in a short period. They also built several settling basins. With the development of the mine, a larger amount of ore can be digged out and separated in some areas of Kowon and Kumya counties of South Hamgyong Province. Medium- and small-size power stations, which have been vigorously built across the country, are being completed one after another. The power stations built as of the end of July this year are more than 250 in South Phyongan Province, over 180 in South Hamgyong Province and over 110 in Kangwon, Ryanggang, South Hwanghae and North Hwanghae provinces each. The Haeju Electricity Centre of South Hwanghae Province built power stations using waste water, shrubs, wind power and another resource in its garden to supply enough electricity to workshops. "Power station-factories" built in Samsu county of Ryanggang Province operate machines with the help of generators while producing electricity. More than 2,000 minor power stations have been commissioned across the country this year. The Kanggye Roof Tile Factory with an annual capacity of producing 3 million tiles and others started operation.

State reparation to "comfort women for army" called for

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- A report was submitted to the 50th meeting of the UN subcommssion on prevention of discrimination and protection of minorities on August 13. The report called upon the Japanese government to make a state reparation and punish those responsible for the "comfort women for the army"-related crime committed by the Japanese imperialists during the Pacific War. The report said that the Japanese government and army forcibly drafted more than 200,000 women and sent them to "rape centres " set up in battlefields of Asia during and before World War II. The Japanese government is to blame for the "comfort women" issue from moral and legal points of view, it said. The "fund for Asian women" is not sufficient. The Japanese government must find out and punish the survivors responsible for the "army brothels," the report said, and called upon the United Nations to take an active hand in this matter.

Palace stocked with treasured gifts

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- An expansion project of the International Friendship Exhibition in Mt. Myohyang, one of the noted mountains in Korea, has recently been completed. The newly-built corners of eaves and walls of the building are adorned with Kim Il Sungia, Kim Jong Ilia, magnolia and azalea-patterned paintings, while its pillars with tigers from Mt. Paektu, symbol of Korean spirit. The front gate is made of copper, which weighs as much as nine tons, with Kim Jong Ilia sculptured in relief. The exhibition consists of some 40 halls. On display there are 42,153 pieces of gifts from 155 countries. Among them over 1,000 pieces are from heads of party and state. The Staute of General Secretary Kim Jong Il stands in the centre of the entrance hall. On both sides are the gifts presented by world progressives out of respect for the Korean leader, in praise of his exploits and the Juche idea and wishing him longevity and in hopes of friendship and solidairty. Among them are a silver plate photo "Kim Jong Il with his parents" sent from secretary general of the Italian Institute of International Relations, a ceramic work "Pigeon" from Rev. Billy Graham, an American religious leader, "Crystal Bowl" from former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and newspapers published in 70 countries which deal with Kim Jong Il activities. The entrance hall is linked with regional halls. Seen in the Asian hall are hundreds of items from the distinguished figures of political, public, academic and military circles in Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Syria and other Asian countries, including a double-faced embroidery "Pine tree on Mt. Huangshan" sent from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to mark the 55th birthday of Kim Jong Il and "Horsehair Shoes" from Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk and his son. On display in the European hall are those from Russia, Romania, Yugoslavia, Sweden, Austria, Greece and other countries. Ceramic work "William Shakespeare" from the British New Abbey Press Corporation is an expression of its admiration for the "Sea of Blood"-type revolutionary operas and his ushering in the renaissance of the 20th century. Spears from the Rwandan President, a "Table Gong" from the Ugandan President, a "Cup-shaped pot and tray" from a taxi driver and his wife from Algeria and others displayed in the African hall are permeated with gratitude for his steady support for the struggle of the Africans for a new society. Shown in the American hall are a poker work "Flames of moncada garrison", which represents the Cuban people's resolve to side with the Korean people in the struggle to defend socialism even in the face of foreign aggression and blockade, Miguel Jose Sanz order first class, a medal and full dress from the Council of Carabobo University in Venezuela, which have been presented to noted statesmen, scholars and public figures and other precious gifts. The exhibition is an epitome to show the world people's respect for General Secretary Kim Jong Il. The high esteem of the public will be ever-lasting along with the International Friendship Exhibition.

DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman on "Ulji Focus Lens"

Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released a statement today denouncing the United States for staging the large-scale "Ulji Focus Lens" joint military exercises with South Korea. Branding the exercises as part of provocative and aggressive military moves to gain military supremacy over the DPRK and perfect military preparations for another war on the Korean peninsula, the spokesman said: We are taking a serious view of the fact that the exercises are not an isolated annual one. As already known, the United States have deployed on the East Sea of Korea its huge military personnel and hardwareincluding a nuclear-powered attack submarine of the U.S. Pacific Command from late July under the pretext of "jointly providing against possible provocation" by the DPRK and staged "joint operational" exercises along with the South Korean army. "Ulji Focus Lens" war game which is being staged in all parts of South Korea at this very juncture cannot be construed otherwise than a dangerous military confrontation racket urged by a sinister intention to militarily get on the nerve of the DPRK and deliberately render the situation on the Korean peninsula strained. "Ulji Focus Lens", which began in the mid-1970s, is being continued even in the late 1990s when the Cold War has come to an end. This clearly proves that the U.S.-advertised appeasement policy toward the DPRK is sham and that the U.S. authorities have not yet abandoned the anachronistic policy to stifle the DPRK militarily. The dark clouds of war are still hovering over the south of the Korean peninsula with war rehearsals being staged one after another. The present grave situation is attributable to the U.S. forces' occupation of South Korea. Historical facts fully show that the U.S. forces are a wrecker of peace on the Korean peninsula and a main obstacle lying in the way of peaceful reunification. They eloquently prove that just is our argument that only when the U.S. forces are immediately pulled out of South Korea can it be possible to solve the issue of the Korean peninsula fairly and in a peaceful way. Recently the United States and the South Korean authorities never let a chance pass by without crying for a dialogue with us. The war rehearsals against us, which are being staged in succession, clearly show again that they are paying lip-services to dialogue and negotiations in a bid to cover up their preparations for a war of aggression on the DPRK. Their double-dealing tactics against the desire and requirements of the international community for peace and peaceful reunification on the Korean peninsula, as well as the trend of the times towards detente and reconciliation, will only give rise to negative consequences. The United States and the South Korean authorities must be aware of this. To answer dialogue with dialogue, war with war, is our consistent position. Our people and People's Army will always watch every movement of the United States and the South Korean authorities with heightened vigilance and decisively frustrate any military provocation moves of the enemies.