"Inspection" of underground facility is interference in DPRK's internal affairs
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK made public a statement today in connection with the fact that a DPRK-U.S. negotiation on DPRK's underground facility will be held in Pyongyang from November 16.
Recalling that before the opening of the negotiation some people spread rumors that the DPRK should allow the "inspection" of an underground facility now under construction and that if it refuses, the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework itself would face a crisis, spokesman said:
This is nothing but a foolish attempt to put public pressure upon the DPRK to accept their unjustifiable demands.
Their insistence on "inspection" of our underground facility means to search all our internal things, which is an insult to the DPRK that has sincerely implemented the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework and a wanton interference in our internal affairs.
We have already repeatedly told the U.S. side that the object about which the U.S. side threw doubts is a civilian underground facility. Generously enough, we went so far as to say that if they persist in inspecting the underground facility, we could show it. But we have made it clear that if it proved not to be a "nuclear facility", the U.S. side should compensate for vilifying us and impairing our prestige.
If the U.S. side is willing to inspect the object at any cost, therefore, it may make proper compensation and inspect the object as we demand. We cannot understand why it is spreading groundless rumours, even mobilising a third country.
We make it clear once again that we will not tolerate any interventionist moves which infringe upon our sovereignty but resolutely reject such a brigandish demand as house search.
It is our stand that if the U.S. side wants to break the agreed framework over the issue of confirming an underground facility, it may as well do so.
Although we have sincerely implemented the agreed framework, a serious imbalance was created in implementing the framework owing to the insincere stance and attitude of the U.S. side. Moreover, we have gotten no great benefit from the framework.
If the U.S. side breaks the framework, our uneasiness caused by it will disappear of its own accord.
They had better keep mum instead of laying obstacles in the way of negotiation arranged with much difficulty, spreading rumours for their sinister purposes.
Japanese excesses under fire
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- The European regional headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) released a statement bitterly denouncing the excesses of Japanese right-wing gangsters against Koreans in Japan as an unpardonable, thrice-cursed brutality.
The statement demanded that the Japanese authority take an immediate step to keep all government power and right-wing extremists from persecuting and suppressing Koreans in Japan and organisations of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), apologize for crimes, compensate in a sincere and responsible manner for losses of human lives and property and defamation against Koreans in a "law-governed country," repent of the past and beg for pardon.
Co-chairman Ri Jun Sik of the Pomminryon European regional headquarters in a letter addressed to the compatriots of Chongryon expressed the conviction that they will devotedly fight for the defence of national dignity and rights in the face of any adversity.
Greetings to Cambodian King
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- The President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK sent a message of greetings on Nov. 8 to Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Independence of Cambodia.
The message said that after the independence of the country, the brave and industrious people of Cambodia made a great progress in the struggle for defending the sovereignty of the country and territorial integrity, overcoming all difficulties and trials and achieving peace and stability under the correct guidance of the respected King.
The Korean people are convinced that the fraternal Cambodian people will achieve national unity and cohesion and build a new Cambodia, independent, sovereign, neutral non-aligned and prosperous, upholding the lofty intention of the King, it said.
It expressed the belief that the bonds of traditional friendship and unity between the peoples of the two countries, based on the particular intimacy forged between the President Kim Il Sung and the respected King, will further strengthen and develop, and wished the King greater success in noble work for the country and people.
Eve of "98 People's Rally" in S. Korea
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- "98 People's Rally" eve was held in Seoul with the attendance of more than 7,000 people under the co-sponsorship of 60 public and citizens' organisations of South Korea, including the "Korean Confederation of Trade Unions," the "National Teachers Union," the "Citizens' Federation for Democratic Society" and the "National Council of Teachers for Democratic Education," a Seoul-based radio said.
At the eve industrial trade unions of the "KCTU" evinced their determination to fight for the right to existence and Democratic Freedom and Jon Thae Il Labor and Literary Prizes were awarded with due ceremony.
Upset by this, the South Korean authorities stationed more than 3,600 policemen of 30 companies around the venue to suppress the event.
Japanese authorities criticised for anti-Chongryon campaign
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- Abdul Rahman Matar, chief of information of the organisation of socialists in the Mediterranean, released a statement on November 2 denouncing the Japanese authorities for suppressing the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) and Koreans in Japan.
In the statement he described the brutal suppression as a wanton violation of human rights, and called for an immediate halt to the unreasonable anti-Chongryon campaign.
The anti-Chongryon campaign is part of the aggressive policy pursued by the U.S. and Japanese imperialists against the first successful launch of artificial satellite and other dazzling successes of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Korean people.
U.S. congressman here
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- U.S. member of the House of Representatives Toni Hol and his party arrived here on Nov. 8 by plane.
Immediate release of Hwang Son urged
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- The Korean Student Committee in the DPRK made public a statement on November 8 denouncing the South Korean authorities for arresting Hwang Son, delegate of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) that represents the south headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students For the Country's Reunification (Pomchonghakryon), who returned to South Korea via Panmunjom after visiting Pyongyang.
Branding her arrest as an unethical fascist suppression and an open expression of the anti-north policy of confrontation, the statement said:
Her Pyongyang visit cannot be incriminated in any case.
She conducted activities in Pyongyang out of the patriotic desire to put an end to the tragic division with united efforts of the nation and accelerate the reunification of the country aspired after by the nation, come what may.
It was a patriotic deed which fully demonstrated the indomitable stamina of the younger generation ardently aspiring after reunification and unyielding to injustice.
The South Korean authorities should look straight at the trend of the times, unconditionally and immediately release Hwang Son and respond to just calls of people for the dissolution of the "Agency for National Security Planning" and the repeal of the "National Security Law."
Papers observe anniversary of Cambodian Independence
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- Papers here today observe the 45th anniversary of the Independence of Cambodia.
Today the Cambodian people under the leadership of King Norodom Sihanouk are striving to defend national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and achieve national unity, Rodong Sinmun in a signed article says, and goes on:
The friendly and cooperative relations between the Korean and Cambodian peoples continue developing on good terms as they are based on intimacy between the President Kim Il Sung and esteemed King Norodom Sihanouk.
The Korean people sincerely wish the Cambodian people greater successes in the work to achieve the political stability of the country and national unity and build a new prospering Cambodia.
Minju Joson in a signed article says that the Korean people are firmly convinced that their friendly and cooperative relations with the Cambodian people will further strengthen and develop day by day.
Dangerous nuclear test war
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- The United States and the South Korean authorities staged "'98 Foal Eagle" joint military exercise, the "'98 Hwarang" war game and a large-scale U.S.-South Korea joint manoeuvres with the East Sea of Korea as an operational theatre in the period from October 24 to November 7.
Branding the war exercises as the repetition and replica of "Team Spirit" nuclear test war, a news analyst of Rodong Sinmun today says:
Lurking behind them are the criminal intention of the United States and the South Korean authorities to perfect preparations for war against the DPRK in a three-dimensional and comprehensive way.
The war game staged in the East Sea of Korea was commanded in the U.S. military base in Yokosuka, Japan, not in South Korea. This is aimed at testing whether any obstacle may occur in executing war in case the United States moves its commanding centre to Japan with less danger in the "event of contingency" on the Korean peninsula.
In essence, it is designed to supplement and perfect the commanding system of the U.S.-Japan-South Korea triangular military alliance.
Judging from them, all the war games are a preliminary war, a nuclear test war to make a surprise preemptive strike at the DPRK.
Worse still, they were staged behind the curtain of the four-party talks for the peace of the Korean peninsula.
This proves once again that "peace on the Korean peninsula" and "peaceful reunification" on the lips of the U.S. warmongers and the South Korean authorities are nothing but a sheer lie and there is no change in their criminal design to stifle the DPRK with strength.
The U.S. design to stifle the DPRK with strength is nothing but a daydream.
The U.S. military quarters and the South Korean authorities had better not act rashly.
Japan hit for human rights violation
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- A meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights denounced Japan for violating the human rights of Koreans in Japan. Commenting on this fact, Rodong Sinmun today says Japan deserves condemnation for violating human rights.
The news analyst goes on:
Thrice-cursed outrages against overseas citizens of the DPRK are being ceaselessly committed in Japan.
The Japanese authorities are recklessly inciting hostility against the DPRK in Japan by spreading a rumor about the fictitious "threat of ballistic missiles" in the wake of the DPRK's launch of an artificial satellite. And they are conniving at the rash acts of the Japanese right-wing gangsters.
The facts clearly show that they are the unpardonable violators of human rights.
They should stop at once all the human rights violations against the Koreans in Japan and take substantial measures to ensure their human rights.
At the same time, they should make a thorough apology and compensation for all the human rights violations they have committed so far and the Japanese imperialists had committed against Korean people in the past.
We will watch their future action.
U.S. stages mock missile tracking test
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- The United States on November 5 launched a test missile, a modified type of an interceptor missile, towards the U.S. mainland from a launching base in Kodiak Islet in southern part of Alaska State, according to a news report.
The launch of a test missile, the first of its kind, was reported to simulate an "attack of an inter-continental ballistic missile" from the far east including the DPRK.
The U.S. missile tracking test in the wake of the DPRK's launch of a peaceful satellite can not be construed otherwise than a foolish act.
The test betrays a sinister attempt of the U.S. bellicose elements to create an atmosphere hostile to the DPRK within the United States by spreading rumours about the fictitious "threat of missile attack" on the U.S. mainland and, with it as an occasion, to speed up arms buildup and the updating of lethal weapons.
Great Ryongmun Cavern
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- The great Ryongmun Cavern known as an underground wonderland has been toured by a large number of local and foreign visitors.
It lies in Mt. Ryongmun, Kujang county, North Phyongan Province (about 12 kilometres from the town). It is the longest natural cavern in Korea -- six kilometres in total length.
The cavern consists of two principal caves and some 30 branch caves.
It is a natural cavern of fantastic shapes formed 480 million years ago by solution and corrosion of limestone.
It has over 20 places of wonderful and miraculous rock shapes formed by stalagmites and stalactites.
Many humorous stories are told about wonderful rock shapes including stalagmites and stalactites, columns and flowers.
The cavern is composed of gracious and bright karst caves of five different kinds. Especially it is characterised by its unusually elegant looks.
The cavern has such scenic spots and objects as "Mt. Paektu Secret Camp," "Frosty Flower," "Dolphin," and "Stack of Grain" which are formed with stalactites.
All shapes including those of men, animals, mountains and flowers are seen variable according to visual angles. A rock looks like a flower, a cotton ball or a mushroom.
What draws the attention of tourists is the sound of a 40-metre-high waterfall echoing throughout the cave.
A pond under the waterfall is full of water all the year round.
The great Ryongmun Cavern has all tourist and rest conditions. There are rest grounds in many places, and certain spots have been arranged for souvenir photos.
There are lights and stairs along the tourist course. So, tourists can see the unusual natural beauty of the cavern in a short time.
Fifth joint exhumation of remains of U.S. soldiers ends
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- Nine sets of remains of U.S. soldiers unearthed during the fifth round of joint exhumation were handed to the U.S. military side at Panmunjom on November 6.
Thus, all the five rounds of joint exhumation of U.S. soldiers' remains have come to an end since it started in mid-April as agreed on between the DPRK and the United States.
This year, a total of 22 sets of remains were unearthed during the joint exhumation and handed to the U.S. military side.
It is entirely thanks to the humanitarian efforts of the DPRK that the exhumation of remains of U.S. soldiers who died in the areas of the DPRK during the Korean War has been able to be conducted continuously although the DPRK and the United States are still technically at war state and large-scale war exercises against the DPRK have been staged one after another.
The DPRK not only mobilized a lot of workforce and equipment in the exhumation but also introduced a working method capable of exhuming more remains.
Particularly, it formed a pre-inquiry team specializing in discovering places where remains are buried. As a result, more remains were unearthed in the fourth and fifth rounds of exhumation though 2 or 3 sets of remains had been exhumed in the first and second rounds.
In the long run, whether the joint exhumation can continue and more remains can be unearthed depends upon the attitude of the U.S. side.
Kim Yong Nam meets IFRC President
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- President Kim Yong Nam of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today met and conversed with President Astrid Noeklebye Heiberg of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and his party at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.
Present on the occasion were Ri Song Ho, acting chairman of the Central Committee of the DPRK Red Cross Society, and Stan Swedlund, head of the IFRC delegation to the DPRK.
Referring to his inspection of several projects during his stay, Heiberg said the IFRC would activate its cooperation.