Statue of President Kim Il Sung erected
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- A ceremony for unveiling a Statue of the President Kim Il Sung was held at Kim Il Sung Military University in Mangyongdae, the time-honored, sacred place of revolution, on Monday on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the DPRK.
Kim Il Sung Military University is the highest edifice of military science and a military university of world authority, the centre which trains a hard-core of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
A basket of flowers sent by Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and KPA Supreme Commander, was laid before the statue amid the playing of relevant music.
Jo Myong Rok, first vice-Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and director of the KPA General Political Department, addressed the ceremony.
He said it is thanks to the deep solicitude of the Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il that the Statue of President Kim Il Sung has been built grandiosely. The Supreme Commander indicated how to erect the statue and gave meticulous guidance to its construction, the speaker recalled.
He stresssed that the President, the benevolent father of servicemen, had shown deep trust and love for them, always finding himself among them from the start of the Juche cause of army building until the last moment of his great life.
The entire people's army officers and men should absolutely worship and follow the supreme commander to the last in any adversity, the speaker said, adding:
The whole army should devotedly defend the headquarters of the revolution headed by General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
We sing of heyday of Kim Jong Il's era
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- Chairman Han Tok Su of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) published a poem of September to General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the sun of the 21st century, under the title "We sing of heyday of Kim Jong Il's era."
The poem tells about great joy and rejoice over holding General Secretary Kim Il Sung, the sun of Juche, in high esteem as the eternal President of the country and reelecting the respected Kim Jong Il, the sun of guidance, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK.
"We wanted to see your election and listen to your policy speech but what sounded over the air was not your policy speech but the policy speech made by the President 8 years ago," it said.
It continued:
"We wept once again and admired once again to see the loyalty and filial piety of you who always think the President first of all and always hold him in high esteem first."
"The heyday of Kim Jong Il's era advancing through rough wind and waves--this is indeed the prosperity of history full of loyalty and filial piety."
"Korea once wept for flunkeyism, in sadness of a ruined country and in sorrow of a small country. As it greeted the great Kim Il Sung's era, it is rising up in the centre of the earth and exalting the ideal era of a powerful state, opening a proud heyday on the peak of the glorious Kim Jong Il's era."
"It is you, peerless great man, who have built Korea into a country strongest in ideology, politics and military affairs."
"You, the father of the nation, are embracing 700,000 overseas Koreans in Japan in your bosom, blocking misfortune and bringing about happiness, rallying five million overseas Koreans under the banner of patriotism, leading the 70 million fellow countrymen to the road of reunification and thus rousing them to the struggle for great national unity."
"The great Kim Jong Il, your august name, means the prosperity of the era, advance of the era and victory of the era."
"The heyday of Kim Jong Il's era, the era of the sun of Juche, will continue as ever in the 21st century."
Day of Independence of Nicaragua marked
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held here on Monday to mark the 117th anniversary of the Independence of Nicaragua.
Present at the meeting were Ryang Tal Ju, vice-Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and vice-Chairman of the Korea-Nicaragua Friendship Association, members of the friendship association and citizens.
A speech was made at the meeting.
Japanese right-wing gangsters must not act rashly =KCNA commentary=
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- Japanese right-wing gangsters are committing hostile acts against the General Association of Korean residents in Japan (Chongryon), an organisation of overseas citizens of the DPRK, and Korean schools under it after the DPRK launched the first artificial satellite, according to a news report.
In Tokyo, a Korean schoolgirl, who was going to school in Korean costume, was beaten by a Japanese hooligan.
Another unidentified man, repeatedly telephoning the Korean school in Arakawa ward, Tokyo, threatened that he would "kidnap a senior schoolgirl in Korean costume" and asked if the school "teaches students how to manufacture missiles."
Besides, threatening letters with a word "die" were mailed to Korean schools under Chongryon while some Korean schools were telephoned that potassium cyanide was "poured in their water-supply tanks."
Worse still, a Japanese right-wing gang parked a loudspeaker car before the central headquarters of Chongryon and conducted anti-DPRK, anti-Chongryon propaganda activities, shouting "go back to Korea."
These national chauvinistic behaviours are the worst violation of human rights and an anti-DPRK hostile act which cannot be pardoned in any case.
what makes matters serious is the fact that the behaviours were unhesitatingly committed with the tacit approval of the Japanese authorities.
As is known, such words as "missile launching test" and "unpardonable act" are continuously ringing out among Japanese politicians after an artificial satellite was launched in the DPRK.
"Missile launching test" on their lips is the launch of an artificial satellite which has already been widely known to the world. Accordingly, there is nothing doubtful about this.
The launch is a fruition of painstaking efforts of the Korean people to use the space for the peaceful purpose.
Therefore, there is no reason for Japan to hurl slanders at this.
The Japanese right-wing gangsters must clearly know that to provoke Chongryon, a dignified organisation of overseas citizens of the DPRK, is an act of infringing upon the sovereignty of the DPRK and stop acting rashly.
Dissolution of "UN command" urged
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- The "UN command" in South Korea must be dissolved at an early date to relax the tense situation of the Korean peninsula and open an epochal phase of a durable peace and stability, says Rodong Sinmun today.
The problem of dissolving the command has matured at the present juncture, an article of the paper says, and goes on:
The Korean Armistice Agreement has been maintained so far by the military of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and that of the United States.
A framework agreement was adopted by the DPRK and U.S. in October, 1994 and it is now on the phase of implementation.
An agreement of non-aggression has been adopted between the north and south of Korea.
The facts show that overtures and conditions needed for dissolving the "UN command" have been created.
If the United States has willingness to discharge its obligation on the Korean peninsula, it should take practical measures to dissolve the command in South Korea, a tool of aggression in the cold war era, withdraw its troops from South Korea and conclude a peace agreement, in accordance with the UN resolution.
Grand festival of Koreans in Japan
Tokyo, September 13 (KNS-KCNA) -- A grand festival of Koreans in Japan for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the DPRK was held in Tokyo on Sep. 13.
Present at the festival were over 35,000 Koreans in Japan including Han Tok Su, Chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), and Chongryon officials.
Han Tok Su in a speech said that the first session of the 10th Supreme People's Assembly upheld Kim Il Sung, who built the fatherland of Juche, as immortal President of the DPRK and reelected General Secretary Kim Jong Il, who is leading Chongryon and Koreans in Japan as well as the socialist homeland to brilliant victory, as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK. So, Kim Jong Il's era, a new brilliant era of the history of the DPRK and Chongryon's patriotic movement, has opened, he added.
A congratulatory performance was given by Chongryon artistes, students and women.
Put on the stage were colorful numbers including chorus "Song of proclamation of the people's republic," male solo and chorus "My Country," dances "Our nation is best" and "Bumper Crops."
Participants in the festival celebrated the significant DPRK anniversary, playing folk, sports and amusement games such as Korean wrestling, tug of war, seesawing, paduk and chess.
A photo exhibition and the 27th art exhibition of Korean students in Japan were held to celebrate the DPRK anniversary on the same day.
Foreign party leaders pay congratulatory calls at Korean embassies
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- Party leaders of different countries visited Korean embassies in their countries in celebration of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's reelection as Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and the 50th anniversary of the DPRK.
The Chairman of the Hungarian Workers' Party said the reelection of General Secretary Kim Jong Il as Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission reflected the unanimous wish not only of the Korean people but also of the entire members of his party and the communists around the world. It is an event of weighty, historic significance in defending and developing socialism, he added.
The General Secretary of the C.C., the Czechoslovak Party of communists said that the 50th anniversary of the DPRK and the successful launching of the first artificial satellite in Korea rocked the western public and demonstrated the might of the Korean people once again to the world.
"We will always follow and widely introduce the Juche idea and express full support to and firm solidarity with the Korean people's struggle," he said.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Laos-Korea Friendship Association paid a congratulatory call at the Korean embassy in Vientiane.
Pyongyang film festival
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- "The 6th Pyongyang film festival of non-aligned and other developing countries" will be held in the DPRK from Sep. 16 to 25.
It is expected that some 50 organizations of 29 countries will present over 60 films to the festival.
The film festival is organized by non-aligned and other developing countries under the slogan "for independence, peace and friendship". Since Juche 76 (1987) it has been held every two or three years.
Feature films and documentary films presented will be screened in the form of contest and information.
"Torch Prizes" (gold, silver and bronze ) and prizes for best shooting and acting will be awarded to excellent films, actors and actresses.
The festival serves as a good occasion in exchanging experience and successes among famous figures, writers, producers, shooters, actors and actresses in world film circles and developing cooperation and interchange.
Several Korean films were highly appreciated in the past festivals. Among them are feature films "the Nation and Destiny" and "a Bellflower," a juvenile film "a Boy defeats robbers" and a documentary film "Four Seasons of Korea."
"My image in the distant future," a film based on the socialist reality, will be presented to this festival.
DPRK delegation leaves to attend 53rd UNGA session
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- A DPRK delegation led by Choe Su Hon left here today by air to attend the 53rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Foreign delegations and delegates to Pyongyang film festival arrive
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- Delegations and delegates of different countries arrived here today to participate in the 6th Pyongyang film festival of non-aligned and other developing countries.
Among them were delegations and delegates from Nigeria, Germany, Russia, Malaysia, Syria, Switzerland, China, Portugal, Poland, and Iran.
They were met at the airport by Jo Chan Gu and Sin An Bang, who are vice-chairmen of the Festival Organizing Committee, and other officials concerned.
Foreign Ministry spokesman on principled position toward anti-DPRK campaign of Japan
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued a statement today over the anti-DPRK hostile acts getting serious in Japan in the wake of the DPRK's launch of an artificial satellite.
The spokesman says:
It is only the Japanese authorities that still describe the satellite launch in the DPRK as ballistic missile launch. They made public "countermeasures" such as suspension of negotiation for DPRK-Japan diplomatic relations, food assistance to the DPRK and flight to Japan of the Koryo air liners. They are making much ado to bring this issue to the U.N. Security Council and create "international pressure" on the DPRK.
Some people of the military and government authorities of Japan even overtly call for "strike" at the missile bases of the DPRK.
The Japanese authorities are running amok, despite the meaningful result of the DPRK-U.S. talks following the satellite launch, because Japan has yet to atone for its crimes against the Korean people and intends to realise its militaristic design.
It is also because the Japanese authorities think that only when they convince the home and foreign public that the DPRK launched a missile can they easily enact law for the New U.S.-Japan defence cooperation guidelines, build public opinion favorable for the introduction of the "theatre missile defence system" and possess their own military satellites needed for the building of a military power.
The DPRK Foreign Ministry bitterly denounces the Japanese authorities for posing grave threat to the sovereignty of the DPRK and peace in northeast Asia and thus making provocation against the DPRK. To cope with this situation, the Foreign Ministry solemnly declares as follows:
First, as long as Japan resorts to anti-DPRK campaign, the DPRK will never normalize diplomatic relations with Japan.
Second, if Japan avoids making apology and compensation for the past crimes any longer, it will be held wholly responsible for all consequences.
Third, the DPRK will resolutely counter Japan's anti-DPRK acts with comprehensive and strong self-defensive measures.
Any hostile act against Korean nationals in Japan will be considered to be anti-DPRK acts of the Japanese authorities.
The Japanese authorities must ponder over what catastrophic consequences will result from their attempts to find a way out of the serious economic crisis in the provocative anti-DPRK campaign by taking the satellite launch of the DPRK as an opportunity for revival of militarism.