Kim Jong Il's work published in Laos

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il's famous work "Let Us Carry Out the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung's Instructions for National Reunification" was published in booklet on Oct. 8. by the Lao Publishing House, on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Congratulatory visit to Korean embassy in Cambodia

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Khmer Combatants Party for Mulinaka and Liberty of Cambodia headed by its chairman paid a congratulatory visit to the Korean embassy in Cambodia on Oct.7 on the occasion of the first anniversary of the election of Kim Jong Il as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 53rd anniversary of the foundation of the party. The delegation laid a floral basket in the name of the party and made a bow before the portraits of the President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il. The chairman expressed the belief that the Workers' Party and all people of Korea, having the great and outstanding leader at the head of the party, state and army, will overcome temporary difficulties and build Korea into a most powerful country at an early date.

Behind curtain of dialogue =KCNA commentary=

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- U.S.-South Korea joint military manoeuvres will reportedly be staged with the East Sea of Korea as the main field of operation from October 24 to November 2 under the simulated conditions of "emergency" on the Korean peninsula. The manoeuvres will be staged under the direct command of the blue ridge, the flagship of the U.S. 7th Fleet, in the Yokosuka base of Japan. They will be attended by six warships, including aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk, missile cruiser vincennes and amphibious assault ship belleau wood of the U.S. forces in Japan and the third expedition of the U.S. marine corps based in Okinawa. The projected unprecedented-in-scope manoeuvres are perilous in that they are all-round war exercises against the DPRK for examination of "preparations for a new war in the 21st century." The "emergency" on the Korean peninsula on the lips of the U.S. is, in essence, another Korean War. Accordingly, the "preparations for a new war in the 21st century" means those for another Korean War. The U.S., in league with the South Korean authorities, seeks in the manoeuvres to examine "preparations for a new war," "round them off" and open a decisive phase for the outbreak of another Korean War, bringing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the extreme pitch of strain. The war gamble designed to consolidate the new "U.S.-Japan guidelines for defence cooperation" on which the two countries agreed last year and to carry into practice a "theatre missile defense" programme is advertised as the U.S.-South Korea joint manoeuvres. In actuality, the manoeuvres are an all-out war gamble of the U.S., Japan and South Korea to stifle the DPRK by "force of arms." the manoeuvres, therefore, deserve curses and denunciation from the Korean people. It must not go unnoticed that the adventurous manoeuvres will be staged three days after the third round of the "four-way talks." This adds to the suspicion that the "four-way talks" that the U.S. describes as peace talks are a subterfuge to conceal its war preparations against the DPRK. The soon-to-be-staged manoeuvres will again escalate the tensions on the Korean peninsula. More than once we declared that we are ready for both dialogue and war. If the U.S. persistently takes the line of war behind the curtain of dialogue, we will have to take coutermeasures.

First anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election commemorated

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- Chief of information of the organization of socialists in the Mediterranean Ab Rahman Matar on Oct. 8 published a statement on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 53rd birthday of the WPK. In his statement he said that world people extend their warmest congratulations to Kim Jong Il. He noted that Kim Jong Il is the great thinker, theoretician and fighter recognized by the world who devotes all his efforts to the country and to the victory of the cause of socialism. He continued: All the Korean people, firmly united around him, are working hard for the socialist construction and the reunification of the country. Korea's reunification must be realised in accordance with the proposal for founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo which was put forth by the President Kim Il Sung.

Rodong Sinmun on Japan visit of chief executive of S. Korea

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today comes out with a signed commentary on the recent visit of the chief executive of South Korea to Japan. Branding his Japan visit as an out-and-out flunkeyist and treacherous humiliating trip, the commentary titled "criminal trip which sets new record in pro-Japanese treacherous acts" says: In the past, Japan committed thrice-cursed crimes against the Korean nation. Nevertheless, it has not yet apologized nor compensated for all its crimes including the forcible drafting of nearly 200,000 Korean women as sexual playthings for Japanese soldiers. The Japanese Prime Minister ambiguously apologized for the past with a few words that Japan "feels remorse" for having inflicted "injuries and sufferings" upon the Korean people during the colonial domination over Korea. In a "joint declaration" signed with the South Korean rulers, Japan mentioned no word about the issue of "comfort women for the army", which is the kernel of liquidation of the past. As for its "apology", it is the same with formal apologies Japan had made to the preceding South Korean authorities. This notwithstanding, the South Korean rulers are loudly crying as if Japan had made adequate "apology." They allege that South Korea obtained apology from Japan in document for the first time. Their invitation of the Japanese king to South Korea is the height of their shamelessness. There is no one in Korea who does not grind his teeth to hear the word Japanese king, the symbol and manipulator of crimes. So, the preceding South Korean rulers had never thought of inviting the Japanese king to South Korea although they were crazy with pro-Japanese flunkeyism. However, the present chief executive of South Korea kept Mum about the past history of Japan in a bid to show his politeness to the Japanese king. He went the length of saying that if the Japanese king visits South Korea, he would try to make people welcome him." Worse still, he begged the Japanese masters for "cooperation system" intended to hurt and stifle the fellow countrymen in the north. He prattled that, in order to prevent "missile threats from the north," South Korea and Japan must "work together" and hold a "security consultative meeting." His acts are indeed disgusting. All facts show that the South Korean authorities' loud advertisement about "successful visit to Japan" is a lie to cover up their dirty colors as pro-Japanese flunkeyists and traitors without an equal in history.

Iranian ambassador hosts reception

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- Iranian ambassador to Korea Mohammad Ganjidoost hosted a reception at the embassy on Wednesday on the occasion of Kim Jong Il's election as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, 50th anniversary of the DPRK and the 53rd anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea. Invited to the reception were vice-President Yang Hyong Sop of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and officials concerned. Referring to the friendly relations between the two countries, the ambassador said the Korean people defeated the imperialist forces of aggression and defended the dignity of the country under the guidance of the President Kim Il Sung. The Korean people have applied the Juche idea to the revolution and construction to carve out their destiny and build their country on debris of war, said the ambassador. Yang Hyong Sop in his speech said that General Secretary Kim Jong Il had laid stress on developing friendly and cooperative relations with Iran which were established in the anti-imperialist, anti-U.S. joint struggle, and that the DPRK would strive to develop the relations, true to his intention.

U.S. and S. Korea hit for strange row

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland on October 13 released information bulletin No. 772 denouncing the U.S. and South Korea for trying to provide a justification for their war of aggression of the 1950s. It is planned that the U.S. President will visit Seoul and the South Korean chief executive will visit Washington in June and July of the year 2000, 50 years after the start of the Korean War, and in the four years from 2000 to 2004 more than 60,000 American veterans of the Korean War will visit Seoul under the pretext of "tour," a South Korean newspaper said. An organisation has been formed and preparations for carrying into practice the plan are being promoted, added the paper. The information says: This strange plan is an open challenge to the north and a prelude to new war provocation. The U.S. and the South Korean authorities seek in this farce to put down the anti-American resentment of the South Koreans who are determined not to allow the U.S. imperialist colonial rule and military presence in South Korea any longer. They also seek politically to curry favour with the conservatives of the U.S. military, intensify the "South Korea-U.S. cooperation system" and the U.S. military domination over South Korea and step up war preparations against the DPRK. If they continue taking the road of confrontation and war through such a burlesque, our people and the People's Army will deal the sworn enemies a thousandfold severer punishment than that of the 50s.

Japanese authorities' hostile policy toward DPRK under fire

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- The working people of Korea are now enraged at the Japanese reactionaries' anti-DPRK, anti-Chongryon (General Association of Korean Residents in Japan) campaign over the successful launch of the artificial satellite "Kwangmyongsong No. 1" in Korea. Meetings denouncing the Japanese authorities' hostile policy toward the DPRK were held at the Pyongyang Vinyl Chloride Shoes Factory, the Jangchon Cooperative Farm in Sadong district and the Chilgol branch of the Mangyongdae district state farm on October 13 and 14. At the meetings speakers said that the Japanese authorities are resorting to an anti-DPRK campaign charging the DPRK with "military danger" in an effort to cover up their past crimes against the Korean people and find a pretext for building a military power for a war of aggression. The Korean people, filled with bitter rancour against the Japanese imperialists, will never pardon the rash act of the Japanese authorities in an anti-DPRK frenzy, they stressed.

Senior state officials meet Chinese ambassador

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK Kim Yong Nam, premier of the Cabinet Hong Song Nam and Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun met with Chinese ambassador to Korea Wan Yongxiang at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on October 14. On the occasion, they expressed sincere thanks to the Chinese government for deciding to supply crude oil to the DPRK free of charge. The Chinese ambassador said that the decision showed the determination of the Chinese Party and government to further Develop the friendly relations between the two countries and the deep friendly feelings of the Chinese people toward the Korean people. Nothing can break the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties, governments and peoples, he added. He expressed the belief that these friendly and cooperative relations would daily expand and develop under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries. He hoped that the Korean people would overcome difficulties and make greater successes in their struggle for socialism.

Mass art activities

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- The Korean working people, youth and schoolchildren are briskly waging art circle activities across the country. Art performances vividly show efforts of the Korean people who are on the forced march for final victory. Colourful art pieces such as song, instrumental music and works of narration are greatly encouraging working people for their high ideological level and vivid artistic depiction. In Korea, all people participate in art activities. Art activities waged this year included a contest of art circle members of servicemen's families, a national art performance of workers, national art festival of agricultural workers and a national art performance of women's union art circle members. Over 1,500 travelling art propaganda troupes of housewives conducted art propaganda activities in socialist construction sites across the country. A national people's art festival was held in August to mark the 50th anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It was participated in by circles members of more than 8,400 units including organs, factories, enterprises and co-op farms. More than 33,200 programs were performed in the festival. An art performance of housewives of neighbourhood units, a national oratorical contest, a national student speech contest were held in September. After seeing art performances of soldiers' art circle members and art circle members of servicemen's families, General Secretary Kim Jong Il indicated how to popularize art. Today the Korean people are optimistically overcoming manifold ordeals and difficulties, loudly singing revolutionary songs in families, working shops, villages and streets.

Korean books donated to Nepal

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- A ceremony for donating Korean books was held at a building of the Central Committee of the Nepal Sadbhavna Party on October 9 on the occasion of the first anniversary of Kim Jong Il 's election as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 53rd anniversary of the WPK. Korean books including works of the President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il were handed to President of the Party Gajendra Narayan Singh. The President said in his speech that the WPK founded by Kim Il Sung achieved great successes for over 50 years by encouraging the Korean people to devotedly struggle in defence of socialism with absolute trust in the party and leaders, frustrating the moves of imperialists and reactionaries. He expressed the belief that the Workers' Party and people of Korea would achieve victory in the efforts for socialist construction and national reunification under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.

S. Korean ruler accused of his treacherous deed

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Japanese mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) on October 11 made public a statement denouncing the South Korean chief executive's pro-Japanese treacherous deed. The statement said: After his trip to Japan, the chief executive of South Korea announced that the two sides have reached a "consensus of opinions." His utterance is a separatist and treacherous piffle intended to make a showdown with the fellow countrymen in the north in league with the Japanese reactionary forces while shutting their eyes to the liquidation of the past of the Japanese imperialists' colonial rule over Korea. The South Korean regime should switch from the anti-north confrontation policy to a policy of reconciliation with the north. To this end, it must check outside intervention and establish sovereignty, promote open-hearted reconciliation and cooperation and achieve the great unity of the nation on the common basis of patriotism irrespective of systems, ideas and ideology. The NDFSK Japanese mission declares null and avoid the treacherous documents including a "joint declaration" Kim Dae Jung signed during his stay in Japan.

Tripartite meeting of Korean and Japanese women

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- A tripartite meeting of Korean women in the north and the south and Japanese women was held in Beijing from October 9 to 11. It debated on the issue of "comfort women for the army" and human rights of women. Keynote reports were delivered on the main subject "issue of 'comfort women for the army' and human rights of women." Then, supplementary speeches were made. It vehemently condemned the Japanese government for employing vicious means to evade state admission, apology and compensation for crimes related to the "comfort women for the army" and strongly urged the Japanese government to properly liquidate its past. It was agreed at the meeting that Korean women in the north and the south and Japanese women would launch a signature campaign urging the Japanese government to make state admission, apology and compensation for crimes related to the "comfort women for the army" and set up a non-permanent consultative organisation to join hands in the struggle to solve the "comfort women" issue. It was also agreed that the Japanese women would conduct brisk activities to make the Japanese diet adopt a resolution urging apology and compensation for the issue. It in the name of its participants, adopted a letter of protest to he Japanese government and a letter to the u.n9 commission on human rights. The letter of protest said that the Japanese government should admit and apologize for the violation of the international law and make adequate compensation to the victims. It also said that the Japanese government should accept the Shimonoseki decision and enact a law for compensation instead of insisting on solving the "comfort Women" issue through a "people's fund." It urged that the Japanese government should correctly deal with the "comfort women for the army" issue in history textbooks and give proper education to the younger generation so that such crimes could not occur again. The Japanese government should accept recommendations of the U.N. commission on human rights and the U.N. subcommission on human rights and perform its legal responsibility at an early date, it noted. The letter to the U.N. commission on human rights requested the United Nations and the commission to make prompt and many-sided efforts so that the Japanese government could fulfil its legal responsibility at an early date as laid down in the above-said recommendations.

DCRK founding proposal supported

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- The Peruvian Communist Party, the people's front of workers, peasants, and students of Peru, the Communist Party of Peru (Red Motherland), the Socialist Revolutionary Party of Peru, the Christian People's Party of Peru, the National Reconciliation Movement of Peru, the Peruvian Nationalist Movement of Labour and the Socialist Political Action Party of Peru on October 8 published a joint statement in the month of support for the proposal for founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo. The statement reaffirmed that the DCRK founding proposal put forward by the President Kim Il Sung is the most reasonable proposal for independent and peaceful reunification of Korea. It said that the parties extended full solidarity and support to the Korean people in the struggle to achieve national reunification in conformity with the proposal. It, on behalf of human conscience, called for withdrawal of the U.S. armed forces and all military facilities from South Korea and immediate abolishment of all political and institutional obstacles in the way of reunification, including the concrete wall and the "National Security Law".

Naked war preparations

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- The United States and the South Korean authorities plan to stage large-scale joint military manoeuvres with the East Sea of Korea as the main field of operation for ten days from October 24. Rodong Sinmun today, commenting on this plan, says: The projected manoeuvres are aimed at rounding off all war preparations to provoke another Korean War. The manoeuvres will be staged under the direct command of the blue ridge, the flagship of the U.S. 7th Fleet in Yokosuka of Japan, which means that in "emergency" on the Korean peninsula Yokosuka may be a command post of the front. The U.S. bellicose elements want to round off war preparations so that after unleashing a war they can continue it even though their commanding system is in paralysis. The soon-to-be-staged manoeuvres will include an exercise to carry into practice the U.S. "theatre missile defense" programme. The U.S. intends to put Japan under its military command system, gain necessary financial and material assistance from the latter and set up a powerful system of missile strike under the pretext of providing against the alleged "missile threats" from the DPRK. Warships in Japan and the third expedition of the U.S. marine corps in Okinawa will take part in the manoeuvres. Then, Japan will provide the U.S. forces with military bases as well as direct help to them under the revised "U.S.-Japan guidelines for defence cooperation." The war gamble will set in motion the U.S.-Japan-South Korea "tripartite military alliance" in the long run. In short, the manoeuvres are geared to carry out another Korean War of aggression with all means and potentials.

Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry hopes for peaceful settlement of Kosovo dispute

Pyongyang, October 15 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK, when answering a question put by KCNA today, hoped for a peaceful settlement of the dispute of Kosovo, Yugoslavia, through dialogue and negotiations between parties concerned. He said: As already reported, the United States and western countries plan military intervention in the dispute. The U.S. threatened to deal a blow at major military vantage points of Yugoslavia, unless the Serbian Army of Yugoslavia is pulled out of Kosovo. On October 13, NATO decided to carry out military actions against Yugoslavia and sent President Milosevic an "ultimatum" allowing four days. At the same time, it deployed near the country nuclear aircraft carrier and military equipment from bases of NATO member nations and put a lot of warships, fighters and cruise missiles in battle readiness. Non-aligned and many other countries around the world have bitterly condemned the U.S. and NATO for their projected military operations. And they are unanimous in calling for a political solution , that is, negotiated settlement of the dispute. Even some member nations of NATO are concerned about the military intervention in Yugoslavia and adopt a wait-and-see attitude. We consider that as the Kosovo dispute is precisely an internal affair of Yugoslavia, foreign interference, sanctions and military pressure can not settle the dispute at all.