Participants in film festival pay their respects to President Kim Il Sung

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Participants in the 6th Pyongyang film festival of non-aligned and other developing countries visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay their respects to President Kim Il Sung on Thursday. They paid their respects to the Statue of the President and went up to the hall where he lies in state and made bows to him in humble reverence. Then, they looked round the orders and medals the President received from different countries, a train used by him for on-site guidance and foreign trip, and a car used by him in the last period of his life. They made entries in the visitors' book. A Malaysian delegate wrote that the President Kim Il Sung was a benevolent father of the people and his wish for the country's reunification will surely be realized and the Korean people will win victory in the struggle for prosperity of the country without fail. A delegate of Switzerland wrote that the President made immortal exploits for happiness of the Korean people and peace of the world.

Japanese authorities urged to stop hostile policy toward DPRK

Tokyo, September 16 (KNS-KCNA) -- Vice-Chairman Kim Thae Hui of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) called a press conference in Tokyo on September 16 and issued a statement denouncing the Japanese authorities for their anti-DPRK campaign in the wake of the DPRK's launching of an artificial satellite. He told reporters that the Japanese authorities insisted on DPRK's launching a "missile" and unilaterally took sanctions against the DPRK, clamouring about a "threat" to Japan. He continued: Some politicians and authorities of Japan cried for "additional steps" such as "suspension of remittance" of Koreans in Japan and the "freezing of their assets." some news media-related people uttered obscenities. Right-wing gangsters and ruffians of Japan are outraging and threatening Chongryon organisations at all levels, students of Korean schools and other Korean citizens in Japan and violating their human rights. That threw a wet blanket over the shared desire of the peoples of the DPRK and Japan for peace and the improved relations between the two countries. It is a big blot on history. Firstly, the Japanese authorities should immediately stop pursuing the hostile policy towards the DPRK and lift sanctions. Secondly, news media of Japan should admit an announcement of the DPRK that the recent launching of the artificial satellite was for peaceful use and development of science and technology and replace biased reports designed to incite prejudice and hostility against the DPRK with unbiased ones. He also strongly demanded that the Japanese authorities take steps to prevent the threats to and outrages against Chongryon and Koreans in Japan, particularly, students of Korean schools in Japan. He warned that if an unexpected situation is created as a result of their refusal to take such steps, they cannot flee from the responsibility for the ensuing consequences.

Kim Jong ll sends wreath to bier of Kim Yong Chae

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) - Kim Jong ll, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), sent a wreath to the bier of Kim Yong Chae, who was a member of the WPK Central Committee and first vice-director of a department of the Party Central Committee, expressing deep condolences on his death. Kim Yong Chae died at the age of 75 on September 5, Juche 87 (1998). He had long worked in local and central administrative and economic organs and an important position of the Party Central Committee.

NDFSK on celebrations of Kim Jong ll's reelection

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- The National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) Central Committee on Sep. 14 issued an information bulletin on events for welcoming Kim Jong ll's reelection as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, which were widely held by South Korean patriotic fighting organizations, according to Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation. The bulletin says: The NDFSK Central Committee held welcome meetings on Sep. 7 and extended a floral basket, congratulatory letter and silk banner to Kim Jong ll upon the historic reelection. The organizations of the NDFSK and patriotic fighting groups set a celebration period from Sep. 1 to 10 and held colorful events such as lecture, symposium, congratulatory forum and gathering during the period. They also listened to the recorded newscast of radio Pyongyang on celebrations of the 50th founding anniversary of the DPRK held in Pyongyang. The February 16 Fellowship Society, Thaeyang (sun) Society, Paektu Society, Saebyol Society, Sobaeksu Society, Jaju (independence) Society, the Committee for Welcoming Marshal Kim Jong ll's Election and other patriotic fighting groups made a lot of congratulatory handbills, copies of literature and celebration cards and distributed them to patriotic people. Radio Voice of National Salvation broadcast special programmes from Sep. 6 and the paper Kuguk Jonson edited special writeups to warmly congratulate the historic reelection. The NDFSK, patriotic fighting groups and people of all social strata fully displayed their deep and warm respect for and loyalty to General Secretary Kim Jong ll by significantly celebrating his reelection to the highest post of the DPRK.

Japanese authorities urged to act with discretion

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Of late the Japanese authorities, claiming that the DPRK's launching of an artificial satellite is the launch of a ballistic missile, made public "suspension of the negotiations for the normalisation of diplomatic ties between the DPRK and Japan, food assistance and Koryo airliners' flight to Japan" as "countermeasures." they are crying for "international pressure" against the DPRK at the UN Security Council. They have gone the length of saying that even though there is the launch of an artificial satellite, they will not lift sanctions against the DPRK and that a "blow" should be dealt to a missile base. In this regard, Rodong Sinmun today runs a signed commentary captioned "Japanese authorities should stop acting rashly." The Japanese authorities, groundlessly claiming that the launch of artificial satellite is that of a missile, are engaging themselves in a frantic anti-DPRK campaign. We cannot allow it at all. All the Korean people bitterly denounce their reckless campaign as a vicious provocation against and challenge to the DPRK and the Korean nation, the news analyst says, and continues: We are entitled to make Japan pay dearly for its past crimes. We are determined to do so with any conceivable means. The Japanese reactionaries are afraid of that determination, to the extreme. They are now trying to find an excuse to realise their wild ambition for the building of Japan into a military power. By describing the DPRK's launching of the artificial satellite as the launch of a missile they intend to step up the building of Japan into a military power and make a breakthrough in overseas aggression. The Japanese authorities attempt to frighten the Korean people with "countermeasures," "international pressure" and "blow." their attempt is a foolish daydream. We have so far lived and will live in the future, too, without normalising the relations with Japan. We do not beg for the normalisation of the DPRK-Japan relations, leaving our pride and independence hurt. We will live our own way. We mean what we said. If the Japanese authorities misjudge the situation and continue acting rashly, they will entirely be held responsible for the ensuing catastrophic consequences. The belated regret is of no use.

Floral basket to Kim Jong ll from African Regional Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong ll received a floral basket from the African Regional Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea upon his reelection as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the DPRK. The director general of the committee and the vice-chairman of the Guinean National Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea paid a congratulatory visit to the Korean embassy in Conakry and handed the floral basket to the ambassador on Sep. 7. The director general said that Kim Jong ll is a great thinker and theoretician and practician, who is invariably deepening and developing the immortal Juche idea highly praised by all the people. The Juche idea is the treasurehouse and ideological banner of mankind, he said, and went on: Korea successfully launched an artificial satellite on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the DPRK, which shows the might of the DPRK at present and the future of Korea that will demonstrate a leaping progress.

Support to Korean people expressed

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- "The Korean people, rallied around their leader in one idea and will, will surely bring about earlier the final victory." Chairman of the Swiss Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification Martin Lotscher, who is heading the Swiss Friendship and Solidarity delegation, said this in an interview with a reporter here. The Korean people are a very courageous, brave and industrious people, he noted, saying: During the stay in Korea I could feel at first hand how strong the strength of the Korean people united as one in mind around General Secretary Kim Jong ll is. World-startling miracles are now being wrought in Korea where the banner of the great Juche idea is fluttering high. Shaping independent politics as demanded by the Juche idea, Korea has been advancing with its own faith and will and by its own efforts, not following any big power. Referring to the issue of Korea's reunification, the chairman said: Kim Jong ll's era will shine as era of Korea's reunification. I firmly believe that Korea will be reunified in an independent and peaceful way in the near future as Kim Jong ll's five-point policy of great national unity is fair, democratic and farsighted. We will make all possible efforts to fully support the Korean people's struggle for reunification.

Measures for farmhouse debts urged in South Korea

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- More than 20,000 peasants under the "National Federation of Peasants Associations" held a rally on Sept. 15 and demanded that the authorities take measures for farmhouse debts, a Seoul-based radio report said. They said that farmhouse debts amounted to 28 trillion won, which would plunge debt-ridden farmhouses and even those that guaranteed them into a miserable plight. They demanded that the authorities institute a special law for settling the problem of debts so as to relieve farmhouses of debts.

Famous actor Yu Won Jun

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- A multi-part feature film "the Nation and Destiny" (part of working class) is being screened at cinema houses in Korea. The film tells about a "Family of Smelters" in Kangson (the Chollima Steel Complex) and its workers. It is highly estimated for its impressive content and the vivid and plain acting of actors and actresses. Yu Won Jun, winner of "Kim Il Sung Order", labour hero and people's actor, played the part of the family head. He took starring or leading roles in over 80 films while acting as an actor for more than 50 years. He played a leading role in "My home village," a film which was made for the first time in Korea after liberation. Through it, he became well known to experts and people. After this, he successfully played roles of positive and negative characters of different societies and social strata in many films including "Under the bright sun", "a Worker's Family", "the Family of Choe Hak Sin", "the Fourteenth Winter" and "the Tale of Chun Hyang". His special ability was to quickly understand the inner world of characters and vividly depict them. He also had rich power of acting and a clear creative individuality. His merits were a profound and delicate acting. Even when he was at an advanced age of about 80, he acted as if he was in his thirties. In his youthful days, he was an enthusiast for skating, weightlifting, basketball and boxing. So he had a strong physical body needed for an actor. On June 10, 1998 he died of a fatal disease at the age of 79. General Secretary Kim Jong ll saw the last part of working-lass part of the film "the Nation and Destiny" in which he played a leading role before the death. He said that the film was well made and Yu was a world-level famous actor. Yu had led a worthwhile life to the last moment of his life, he added. He said with high estimation that Yu died while working with loyalty to the party and the leader. Though Yu Won Jun died, his contributions to the development of film art of Juche will remain in the hearts of the people.

Hanchongryon delegates see Mt. Kumgang

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Tae Won and Hwang Son, delegates of Hanchongryon (South Korean Federation of University Student Councils) which represents the south headquarters of Pomchonghakryon (National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunificatioin), went sightseeing to famous Mt. Kumgang and inspected Kangwon provincial areas between Sept. 12 and 16. They mountaineered Kuryong Pond and went round Sea Kumgang and the peak of ten thousand forms. They also went round Lake Samil and then visited the Songdowon International Children's Camp, Wonsan University of Agriculture and Lake Sijung.

Rodong Sinmun on U.S. interventionist moves

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today comes out with a signed article on acts of aggression and intervention being staged by the United States against other countries under unreasonable pretexts. Citing materials to expose that the United States has invented all conceivable pretexts it can to justify its military actions against Panama, Grenada, Cuba, Libya and other countries which go against its grit, the author of the article says: Particularly, the U.S. has frantically tried to stifle the DPRK, groundlessly finding faults with it. All U.S. reactionary rulers have provoked the DPRK. They have tenaciously vociferated about "threats from the DPRK." "Threats from the DPRK" so loudly advertised by them is a sheer sham. What they seek in this is to impair the peace-loving stand and high international prestige of the DPRK, justify their moves of aggression and war and unleash another war of aggression on the Korean peninsula. Having worked out a plan to start another war on the Korean peninsula in the wake of the Persian Gulf War, the United States is intensifying the false propaganda about "threats from the DPRK." This year, the U.S., together with the South Korean authorities , staged the "Ulji Focus Lens" joint military exercises, a preliminary and test war, and other military manoeuvres against the Korean people. This fact indicates that the U.S. may start an armed invasion against the DPRK any moment. Its aggressive nature can never change. If there is anything changed, it is only its method of aggression. The progressive countries of the world should follow movements of the imperialists with heightened vigilance, mindful that absurd pretexts spread by them against other nations will result in acts of aggression and intervention.

Premiere of 6th Pyongyang film festival

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Films presented to the 6th Pyongyang film festival of non-aligned and other developing countries began to be screened from Thursday in the wake of its opening ceremony on Sept. 16. The Pyongyang International Cinema House and other cinema houses in the city were permeated with the feelings of friendship and solidarity among people of non-aligned and other developing countries forged on the road of independence. Included in the feature films screened were "a Tree," "China Moon" and "Going to school with dad on my back" of China, "the Play of God" and "a Deal" of India, "Our god's brother" of Poland, "Symphony of Rain" of Libya and "the Man on the Train" of Portugal. The films show on high artistic level the aspiration and demand of the people who love justice and peace, their worthwhile struggle for building a new life, their traditional manners of life and ideological feelings. A Chinese feature film "a Tree" deals with the tireless efforts of a couple who turns a desert into a place covered with green woods. The films were acclaimed by the spectators for their various themes, refined acting and vivid shooting. The Pyongyang film festival which is being held in the noble idea of independence, peace and friendship will continue till September 25.

Kim Jong ll's work published in Nepal

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- A ceremony for publishing Kim Jong ll's famous work "Let Us Carry Out the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung's Instructions for National Reunification" was held in Kathmandu on Sep. 7. Present at the ceremony were the Chairman of the National Council of Nepal, political and public figures and a concourse of people in Nepal. The Chairman of the Nepal Communist Party (united Marxism-Leninism) Central Committee said that the work is a library containing the Kim Il Sung's exploits for Korea's reunification and a banner giving guidelines to the struggle for national reunification.

Copies of literature praising Kim Jong ll scattered in S. Korea

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Copies of literature welcoming Kim Jong ll's reelection as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK were scattered in the area of Seoul National University on Sep. 7, according to Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation quoting information of the Seoul City Committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea. Printed in the front of literature in the name of the Sobaeksu Society were letters "Marshal Kim Jong ll was elected to the highest post of the state. Let us all adjust the neckband of our clothes and pay our respects to Marshal Kim Jong ll in the humblest reverence" under the headline "welcome, congratulations." In the back were letters "Let us uphold marshal Kim Jong ll in one mind of the whole people to reunify the fatherland ."

S. Korean unionists taken away

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities on Sept. 15 sent riot police of two companies to the Myongdong Bank Hall in Seoul, where union representatives and bank managers were in negotiation, and took away the chairman of the Federation of Bank Trade Unions, trade union chairmen of nine banks and other union Members, 47 in all, according to a radio report from Seoul. Union representatives and bank managers had carried on negotiations on the dismissal of employees from Sept. 14, but when they failed to reach an agreement, the bank managers attempted to get out of the place. Enraged unionists protested, stopping the bank managers from running away. Bank managers called out police to crack down on them.

Credentials to President of SPA presidium

Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, received credentials from Mahmoud Mohamed Farag Zain, newly-appointed Egyptian ambassador E.P. To Korea, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Present there was Minister of Foreign Affairs Paek Nam Sun. After receiving credentials, the President conversed with the ambassador.