Stern punishment will be meted out to provokers

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- The United States and South Korea plan to stage "'98 Foal Eagle" joint military exercises from October 26 to November 6 with the involvement of more than 35,000 U.S. troops and over 50,000 army soldiers, according to a news report. Synchronizing with them, the South Korean authorities scheme to separately stage a criminal "'98 Hwarang" war game involving 1.1 million regular and irregular armed forces in the period from October 26 to 30. As a result, a touch-and-go situation has been created on the Korean peninsula. We cannot overlook the fact that the situation of the Korean peninsula is being driven to a very dangerous phase. As is known, we have consistently endeavored to ensure lasting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. However, our painstaking efforts have produced no desirable fruition owing to the war exercises of the United States and the South Korean authorities. The danger of the planned war exercises lies in the fact that they will be staged around the third "four-way talks" to be held in Geneva. Seriously provoking the DPRK, the war exercises are patent proof that the United States and the South Korean authorities have no interest in discussing an issue of "ensuring peace on the Korean peninsula." This fully shows that their clamoring about "peace on the Korean peninsula" are nothing but a hypocritical rigmarole intended to cover up their arms buildup and war preparations. We have declared more than once that we are ready for both dialogue and war. If the United States and the South Korean authorities finally unleash another war against the DPRK, losing reason, we will annihilate all the aggressors with weapons of justice.

Information on NDFSK presidium meeting

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- A meeting of the presidium of the C.C., the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) was held in Seoul on October 14, the Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation reported. The meeting focused on the activities of the NDFSK delegation led by Ri Kang Sok, presidium member of its central committee, which had visited the north to celebrate the 50th birthday of the DPRK. After hearing the delegation's activities, it expressed great joy at the happiest news that General Secretary Kim Jong Il has been energetically guiding the party, state and army affairs in good health. It also expressed the belief that NDFSK organizations at all levels and other patriotic movement groups, all the vanguard fighters and patriotic people would hold the marshal in high esteem as the lodestar of national reunification and vigorouly fight for independence, democracy and reunification by the united efforts.

Embassy officials help co-op farms

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- Officials of foreign embassies in Korea helped co-op farms in their harvest. On October 20 Mongolian ambassador D. Byambaa and embassy officials went to the Korea-Mongolia Friendship Jongbang Co-op Farm to help its farmers, on the 21st, Syrian charge d'affaires ad interim Bassam Al-Haj Hussein and embassy officials and students helped the Korea-Syria Friendship Wonhwa Co-op Farm in its harvest. On the same day, Vietnamese ambassador Le Xuan Vinh and embassy officials went to the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Jamjin Co-op Farm and worked together with its farmers.

Reception given by Indian ambassador

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- Jagjit Singh Sapra, Indian ambassador to Korea, gave a reception at the embassy Wednesday to commemorate the first anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 53rd WPK birthday. At the reception the ambassador said the President Kim Il Sung's achievements are now being glorified by General Secretary Kim Jong Il. Kim Jong Il has wisely guided the WPK so that the entire people are rallied in one mind and could make a greater progress and development in science, education, culture and other fields. As a result, the DPRK has taken a legitimate place in the international arena, he said. He noted that the DPRK and India have closely cooperated with each other in the international arena, as member nations of the Non-Aligned Movement. The Juche idea, fathered by Kim Il Sung and developed and enriched by Kim Jong Il, has been welcomed by the Indian people, the ambassador said, adding: Korea should be reunified peacefully without any outside intervention. Choe Thae Bok, alternate politburo member and secretary of the WPK Central Committee, said the Indian government and people are now registering many achievements in the efforts to achieve national stability and unity and develop the economy under the leadership of President K.R. Narayanan and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. India, a founder State of the NAM, is making great contribution to the sound development of the movement, Choe noted, saying: Korea and India, both NAM member nations, have long closely cooperated with each other in the international arena. Korea will make all possible efforts to further develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in the ideas of independence, peace and friendship.

Friendship meeting with Cuban embassy officials

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- Cuban ambassador to Korea Jose Ramon Rodriguez Varona on Oct. 21 hosted a friendship meeting at his embassy on the occasion of the Cuban Day of Culture. Vice-chairman Ryang Tal Ju of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, who is also vice- chairman of the Korea-Cuba Solidarity Committee, officials concerned and men of culture were invited to the meeting. Cuban embassy officials were present there. Participants looked round Cuban art pieces on display. Speeches were made at the meeting.

Stop to joint military exercises demanded

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) - A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland in a statement on Wednesday castigated the U.S. and South Korean authorities for designing to stage large-scale joint military exercises in the East Sea of Korea from October 24 to November 2 under simulated conditions of "emergency on the Korean peninsula." The planned joint military exercises for an all-round and surprising attack upon the DPRK are a dangerous war rehearsal leading the situation of the Korean peninsula to the brink of war, the statement said, and went on: The U.S. and the South Korean authorities are seeking to finally complete preparations for war through the exercises to make a surprising attack upon the DPRK any time and furthermore to strengthen the "triangular military alliance" of the United States, Japan and South Korea and inveigle Japan deep into their moves to stifle the DPRK. The joint military exercises gloom the prospect of the third round of the "four-way talks" to be held on October 21. The "four-way talks" are needed for peace in the Korean peninsula both in name and reality. Unpardonable is the base and vicious act of those who are going to stab the back of the dialogue partner with a knife while smiling in the front. The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland vehemently denounces in the name of the whole Korean nation the U.S. and South Korean authorities for challenging the desire and demand of all the fellow countrymen for the peace and peaceful reunification of the country by driving the situation of the Korean peninsula into a catastrophic phase with reckless and dangerous war provocation moves. The U.S. and South Korean authorities should see the danger of the situation and stop their joint military exercises at once. The Japanese authorities should ponder over catastrophic consequences of their involvement in the anti-DPRK moves of the U.S. and South Korean authorities and act with discretion for themselves. If the U.S. and Japanese reactionaries and the South Korean authorities take the road of war in spite of our repeated warnings, the Korean people and People's Army will wipe out the aggressors and defend the sovereignty of the nation and the dignity of the country with honour.

Might of independent economy

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- The last 4 years have witnessed the construction of many monumental edifices and the commissioning of hundreds of factories, enterprises and workshops in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This year, the large-size September 9 Street and April 25 Hotel were completed in Pyongyang to significantly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK (September 9) and the 53rd birthday of the Workers' Party of Korea (October 10). And the DPRK launched "Kwangmyongsong No.1" into orbit at one firing, an artificial satellite which was developed with its own wisdom, technology and strength 100 percent. All these successes made at a time when the DPRK fell short of everything and underwent difficulties owing to the imperialists' moves to isolate and stifle it and years of natural disasters are patent proof of the inexhaustible potential of its independent national economy. An astronomical amount of fund was invested in the first-stage project of the Anbyon Youth Power Station which started operation in September Juche 85 (1996). The total sum of investment far surpassed 4 billion dollars invested in the construction of the west sea barrage. Besides, newly built grand monumental edifices include the historical monument to party foundation occupying an area of more than 250,000 square metres, the Chongnyu Bridge, Kumnung Tunnel No. 2, the Pyongyang-Hyangsan Tourist Motorway, the Wonsan-Mt. Kumgang Youth Railway, the December Thermal Power Station, Pukchon Youth Power Station No.2, the Songjung Ore Mine, the Piho Ore Mine, the Haeju January 10 Machine Plant and the Taehung Rubber Factory. Construction projects on Mts. Myohyang, Kuwol, Ryongak and Jongbang were successfully completed to preserve the cultural heritage of the nation and render services to the cultural life of the working people. All these successes are unthinkable apart from the powerful independent national economy, the might of the DPRK.

What is "joint study" seeking ? = KCNA commentary =

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- An official of the U.S. Department of Defense on October 16 said that the United States and Japan should sign a memorandum of understanding on joint study of "Theatre Missile Defence (TMD) system" till the end of 1999. What we cannot overlook is the fact that he said the military tieup between the United States and Japan is an important means to contain the self-defensive missile development of the DPRK and remove "threats" to Japan. This fully shows that the United States intends to collect money from Japan under the pretext of "missile threats" from the DPRK, keep its military supremacy over the Asia-pacific region and thus bring it under its complete control. The "TMD" plan is the key to implementing the U.S. strategy for world supremacy. This is why the United States has annually invested huge amounts of money in this plan ever since the Cold War came to an end. Now that it was unrealistic and astronomical funds were needed, however, the plan has suffered repeated setbacks, driving the United States into a quagmire. What the U.S. seeks in inveigling Japan into establishing the "TMD" system is to make up a deficiency in fund with the help of Japan. Obsessed with a design to become a military power, Japan is zealously responding to the "joint study" of the U.S. strategy, states, regarding it as a golden opportunity. History shows that Japan was engaged in aggressive acts with the backing of big countries. Even after its defeat in World War 鍄, Japan dreamed of staging a comeback to Korea and other Asian nations. It wants to become the "leader" of Asia by availing itself of this opportunity to become a military power. This is the very reason why Japan is kicking up quite a row as if missiles would drop in the territory of Japan. Even today when the world recognizes that the DPRK succeeded in launching an artificial satellite, it is doggedly insisting that the DPRK launched a "ballistic missile." In the final analysis, U.S.-Japan "joint study" is not intended for "security" but for attaining their aggressive and dominationist design to militarily contain the DPRK and neighbouring nations. However, the U.S. and Japanese warmaniacs should know that their design is a daydream. The more zealously they tighten military tieups in the name of "joint study" and others, the stronger the military counteraction of the Korean and other Asian peoples will become.

U.S. troops' withdrawal and signing of peace agreement should be discussed

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- B. Mohan, chairman of the People's Front of India, in a press statement on October 16 said that if the "four-way talks" are to contribute to the peace and security of the Korean peninsula, the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from South Korea and the signing of a peace agreement between the DPRK and the United States should be discussed. It is entirely just that the DPRK demanded the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from South Korea and the signing of a peace agreement be the main subject for discussion at the "four-way talks", he noted. The U.S. military occupation of South Korea and the continued joint military exercises are the main factor of tensions ever worsening in the Korean peninsula, he said, and stressed: the parties concerned in the "four-way talks" should strive to substantially help toward peace and security in the Korean peninsula.

Worldwide support for proposal for reunification by confederacy formula

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- This year marks the 18th anniversary of the publication of a proposal for founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo (DCRK). The President Kim Il Sung put forward the proposal at the 6th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in October, Juche 69 (1980). It is stipulated in the proposal that Korea should be reunified by founding a confederal republic through the establishment of a unified national government on condition that the north and the south recognise and tolerate each other's ideas and social systems, a government in which the two sides are represented on an equal footing and under which they exercise regional autonomy respectively with equal rights and duties. As it is the most fair and aboveboard and realistic solution to Korea's reunification question, it enjoys worldwide support. The International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea at an emergency enlarged meeting of its executive committee in France in November Juche 78 (1989) set a period from October 1 to 31 as a month for support to the proposal. Therefore foreign political parties, organisations, progressive figures of various social standings have been engaged in brisk solidarity movement of various forms, including the opening ceremony of the month and publication of statement, appeal and resolution, since 1990. The committee released a statement on October 6 this year calling upon all the progressives of the world to adopt more measures and initiatives to introduce, propagate and support the proposal. Eight political parties of Peru, including the communist party, the people's front of workers, peasants and students, the Communist Party (Red Motherland) and the Socialist Revolutionary Party, issued a joint statement saying that the proposal is the only one for the reunification of Korea. More support for the reunification of Korea by confederacy formula is expressed during the month and on other occasions. Events for support to the proposal took place in over 100 countries and at regional and international organisations on five continents last year.

"Moving university"

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- A "correspondence course train" of the correspondence course faculty of Pyongyang University of railways proves its great merit for the education of railway workers. It, called a "moving university," helps give education to the people who study while at work. The train is equipped with teaching materials and reference books, practical training facilities needed for worker-students. It has a lecture room with the latest-type educational facilities, an office of teachers, a room for teaching materials, a bedroom and a dining hall. The train began running in Juche 68 (1979). In the last 20 years the train called at Sinuiju, Kanggye, Hyesan, Hamhung, Sariwon, Paekam, Ichon, Pongsan and many other railway stations. Its long journey greatly helped more than 5,000 worker-students finish their university course. A "Fishermen's University" is active on a transport ship or a factory ship for university correspondence course of fishermen on deep seas as well. University professors call at the worksites of correspondence course students to give an active help to them in their study and production practice. The young men and women working in various domains of the national economy after finishing senior middle school course are given university education thanks to the correspondence course networks.

Mangyongdae Aeguk Manure Factory

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) --The Mangyongdae Aeguk Manure Factory has gone into operation. Built with funds donated by a Korean businessman in Japan, the factory mixes organic matter discharged from the sewage treatment plant with a compound micro-organism to make zymogenic composite which helps farm crops to grow healthily.

Malaysian ambassador presents credentials to Kim Yong Nam

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- New Malaysian ambassador E.P. to Korea Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan today presented his credentials to President Kim Yong Nam of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the Mansudae Assembly Hall. Kim Yong Nam conversed with the ambassador after receiving the credentials.