KPA will answer U.S. aggression forces'challenge with annihilating blow = Statement of KPA general staff spokesman =

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the general staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) today published a statement solemnly declaring its stand in connection with the fact that the U.S. imperialists are driving the situation to the brink of war. The statement says: The U.S. imperialists have recently gone beyond the danger line in their arrogant aggressive attempts to stifle the DPRK with military strength. According to a report, U.S. President Bill Clinton, during his visit to South Korea, unusually made a final checkup of the preparedness of the units of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces and readiness of its flying corps for sortie and raised the DPRK's nuclear issue, blaring that the united states is "ready and able" to do any things in defence of its citizens and an allied nation. The South Korean puppet, who has prolonged his remaining days with flunkeyism and obedience, is trying to curry favour with his master, obtrusively crying that the north must accept demands for inspections of an underground facility. The Japanese reactionaries, who slandered the DPRK, branding its launch of an artificial satellite as the launch of a ballistic missile, have also raised their heads again. Synchronising with this, the U.S. conservative hard-liners blared that if inspections of the DPRK's underground facilities failed to be realized, they would break the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework and take a "determined counteraction." This is, in essence, like a declaration of war that they will not hesitate to wage a war against the DPRK. What cannot be overlooked is the fact that publications of a third country have openly carried reports that the U.S. military "has completed a new war plan for invasion of North Korea" and the gist of the "operation plan 5027," a plan for a second Korean war of aggression allegedly to "retaliate" against the DPRK for the U.S. defeat in the past Korean War. The "operation plan 5027" we have learned through these publications envisages waging the second Korean war against the DPRK in five stages. The first stage is a "control stage." under the pretext of controlling the actions of the DPRK, the United States is to amass its aggression forces in and around South Korea and impose full-scale sanctions upon the DPRK by blocking its sky, seas and border. In this sense, it can be said that the operation of this stage is already being carried on in fact. The second stage is the "stage of strikes for neutralisation" which aims to "neutralize" the DPRK by making long-term aerial strikes at the whole area of North Korea with large numbers of field artillery pieces, planes and cruise guided weapons. To execute the operation of this stage, the U.S. imperialists have stealthily deployed naval and air forces including flying corps around the DPRK in various forms and methods and mastered methods of strikes, staging military training and exercises under various names. The third stage is the "stage of ground offensive operation." envisaged in it are comprehensive ground offensive operations that combine large-scale operations for landing on the east and west coasts of the DPRK with airplane-and helicopter-borne paratroopers' operations and special commandos' operations. through these operations, the United States plans to encircle Pyongyang, the heart of the Korean revolution, and "occupy" the DPRK as far as the River Chongchon. The fourth stage is the "stage of expanding successes in war." It plans to "occupy" the whole area north of the River Chongchon in the DPRK. The fifth stage is the "stage of concluding war" in which the U.S. plans to "achieve unification through the liberal democratic system." In order to put this operation plan into practice, the U.S. imperialists will hurl over 545,000 U.S. soldiers, 630,000-strong puppet army of South Korea and ultra-modern hardware and large-size striking means including 5 to 7 aircraft carrier flotillas, stealth fighter bombers F-117 and F-111, nuclear-capable strategical bombers B-1, B-2 and B-52. The plan contains three methods whereby to unleash an all-out war -- the first method being to mount a strike at the DPRK while imposing sanctions upon it over the nuclear issue and human rights problems, the second to make a "surgical operation-style" strike at the "suspected nuclear facilities" in the DPRK and the third to make a preemptive strike at the DPRK under the pretext of aggravated situation while continuing to render it strained. Only recently, the U.S. has dispatched to South Korea senior officials of the U.S. Defense Department including the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the commander of the U.S. pacific forces, unit commanders of the three services, commanders of the 1st and 3rd army corps, the commander of the 7th Fleet, commanders of the 1st and 3rd marine expeditionary corps and other commanders who are expected to be hurled into the Korean front, one after another to examine the feasibility of the operation plan on the spot. at the same time, it has stepped up preparations for war against the DPRK through Rsoi 98, Ulji Focus Lens 98, Foal Eagle 98 and other joint military exercises. Nowadays, the U.S. imperialists are loudly crying that "tensions have been heightened" owing to the DPRK's "underground nuclear facility" and its launch of an artificial satellite. What they seek in this is to find a pretext to ignite the train of war according to the "operation plan 5027." Clear is why the United States has begun executing the "operation plan 5027", throwing away the mask of "appeasement" and "engagement" which it had once worn for some time. Unable to destroy our socialist system with its isolation and suffocation strategy and "appeasement strategy" to induce us to "reform" and "opening," the United States has adopted a reckless adventure, losing reason. From the outset, our revolutionary armed forces have expected little from the "appeasement policy" of the United States that seeks to demolish our socialist system. Particularly, they have followed with sharp vigilance the behaviour of the United States, the other warring party, which has turned away from the DPRK-proposed general-level officers' meeting. The prevailing situation proves that the sharp vigilance and revolutionary position of our revolutionary armed forces are absolutely reasonable. To answer fire with fire is a character of our revolutionary army and its unique mode of counteraction. Although the U.S. imperialists intend to dispirit somebody by setting afloat their reckless operation plan, it is a foolish dream. We have our own operation plan. "surgical operation"-style attack and "preemptive strike" are by no means an exclusive option of the United States. the mode of strike is not a monopoly of the U.S., either. It must be clearly known that there is no limit to the strike of our People's Army and that on this planet there is no room for escaping the strike. It must also be realized that the target of our strike in the war is not only the U.S. imperialist aggression forces who chiefly execute the "operation plan 5027" but also the South Korean puppets who are willing to serve as their bullet-shield and Japan and all others that offer bases or act servants behind the scenes. We neither want nor avoid a war. If a war is imposed, we will never miss the opportunity. Now that the U.S. imperialists, having thrown off the mask of "dialogue" and "negotiation," are bringing the situation to the brink of war, we solemnly declare with the dignity of Juche Korea that our revolutionary armed forces will never pardon the challenge of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces but answer it with an annihilating blow. The aggressors will never escape the fate of forlorn wandering spirits.

Senior UN official and his party lay floral basket before Statue of President Kim Il Sung

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- UN under-secretary general Sergio Viera De Mello and his party visited the Statue of the President Kim Il Sung standing on Mansu Hill on Tuesday. They laid a floral basket and made a bow before the statue.

Greetings to Cuban Minister of Revolutionary Armed Forces

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, sent a message of greetings to Raul Castro Ruz, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the landing of the ship "Granma" and the revolutionary armed forces of Cuba. Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two revolutionary armed forces will further consolidate and develop, the message wished him success in his important work for the strengthening of the Cuban defence power.

KCNA commentary on S. Korea-Japan collusion

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- "Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade" of South Korea Hong Sun Yong and Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura held a "ministerial meeting" in Kagoshima, Japan, some time ago. At the meeting, they said that South Korea, Japan and the United States should continue to take a concerted action with regard to "Pyongyang's development of missiles and suspicious underground nuclear facility" and urge "North Korea to accept demands for inspections." At the end of the talks, they reportedly reached a "consensus of views." As for Japan, it has conducted anti-DPRK smear campaigns over the DPRK's launch of an artificial satellite, branding it as a "missile launch." Therefore, Hong Sun Yong's misbehaviour of asking the Japanese reactionaries for concerted actions to hurt the fellow countrymen in the north is an open revelation of anti-national crimes. What greatly enrages the fellow countrymen is the insistence of the South Korean authorities that they would join Japan in demanding inspections of "underground nuclear facility." We make it clear that "underground nuclear facility" is nothing but a trick invented by the U.S. conservative hard-liners to artificially aggravate the situation on the Korean peninsula and stifle the DPRK with military strength. Nevertheless, the South Korean authorities and the Japanese reactionaries raised the issue again at the meeting, alleging that it is "posing threats to security in northeast Asia." Their groundless anti-DPRK propaganda is like a thief crying "stop a thief." Who are seriously wrecking stability in northeast Asia and posing threats to this region? They are none other than the United States and the South Korean warmongers who have ceaselessly staged powder-reeking war exercises against the DPRK on the Korean peninsula and the Japanese reactionaries who have rushed headlong along the road of becoming a military power and realising their old ambition for "Greater East Asia Coprosperity Sphere." Nothing cannot be gotten from such conspiracy and collusion. The South Korean authorities should bear in mind that their attempts to hurt the fellow countrymen in the north in conspiracy with the Japanese reactionaries will lead to their own destruction. The Japanese reactionaries had better renounce their confrontation policy hostile toward the DPRK.

Anti-DPRK, anti-Chongryon moves of Japanese right- wing gangsters

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- One more anti-DPRK, anti-Chongryon action was reportedly committed by Japanese right-wing gangsters in Tokyo on November 27. 135 right-wing gangsters of 13 Japanese organisations massed 40 loudspeaker cars to the Yasukuni Shrine to stage provocative demonstrations at key points of Tokyo metropolis. Earlier, they behaved rashly, shouting anti-DPRK, anti-Chongryon slogans in front of the central headquarters hall of Chongryon (the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan).

NDFSK declaration on situation and fighting calls

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea NDFSK made public a communique on an enlarged meeting of the presidium which was held in Seoul on November 28, said Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation. According to the communique, the meeting discussed "the catastrophic situation under the International Monetary Fund system and the immediate task of the national democratic movement." The meeting reviewed the grave politico-economic catastrophe brought on in the last one year under the trusteeship of the IMF. It was stressed at the meeting that the United States is the chief criminal who drove the South Korean economy into a state of death and that the United States forced the introduction of foreign capital for the sinister purpose of making South Korea a victim of establishing a new Asia-pacific economic plunder order in the 21st century. The meeting analysed and viewed the present situation of the revolutionary movement and discussed and confirmed the future prospect of the development of political situation under the IMF system and NDFSK's orientation and tactical policy of the national democratic movement to cope with it. The meeting laid stress on focusing the struggle against the IMF system on diffusing the anti-U.S. movement for independence, combining it with the anti-"government" struggle to drive the present group of traitors into a phase of resignation and concentrating efforts on propelling the awakening and organising of people of all strata. A declaration on the situation was made public in the name of the NDFSK Central Committee. The declaration called upon all the people to rise up in the anti-U.S., anti-"government" struggle. Calling for diffusing the anti-U.S. struggle for independence, the declaration said: the target of its main attack is to liquidate the U.S. colonial rule and the economic trusteeship and the goal is to establish the sovereignty of the nation. The declaration called for toppling "the government of the people" dependent on outsiders, opening up an era of independent democratic politics and heading towards the building of an independent national economy. The meeting put forth immediate fighting calls for rejecting the economic trusteeship and waging the anti-U.S., anti-"government" struggle.

DPRK government gives reception for UN under- secretary general and his party

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government gave a reception for visiting UN under-secretary general Sergio Viera De Mello and his party at the Mansudae Assemblly Hall on Tuesday. Invited to the reception were resident representative of the World Food Programme David Morton and other envoys of international organizations. Present at the reception were Minister of Foreign Affairs Paek Nam Sun, vice-Minister of Agriculture Kim Yong Suk and officials concerned. Paek Nam Sun and Sergio Viera De Mello made speeches at the reception.

DPRK ambassador to Malaysia appointed

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- Kim Ja Ryong was appointed as Korean ambassador E.P. to Malaysia, according to a decree of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.

Party given on Cuban Army Day

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- Alfonso Rodriguez Perez, military attache of the Cuban embassy here, gave a party on December 1 on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. Invited to the party were vice-Minister of the People's Armed Forces O Ryong Bang, generals and officers of the Korean People's Army and military attaches of foreign embassies here. Present were Jose Ramon Rodriguez Varona, Cuban ambassador, and embassy officials. Speeches were made there.

National Day of Laos celebrated

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- A meeting and photo exhibition were held here on Tuesday under the cosponsorship of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (KCCRFC) and Korea-Laos Friendship Association on the occasion of the 23rd National Day of Laos. Invited there were Sayakeo Khamkeng, Lao ambassador to Korea, and embassy officials. On hand were vice-chairman of the Korea-Laos Friendship Association and of the KCCRFC Choe Jong Hwan, officials concerned and working people in the city. Speeches were made there. Prior to the meeting, participants looked round the photos on display.

New era of "Kwangmyongsong" power

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- Jang Yong Jun, a political critic of South Korea, made public an article titled "'Kwangmyongsong' power opens new era," according to the Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation. In the article he said: A great sensation caused by the north's launch of an artificial satellite in the international community is being expanded as the days go by. This great event in the history of the Korean nation gives the highest pride and honour to the 70 million fellow countrymen. With the launch of the satellite "Kwangmyongsong No. 1," the north proved to be a strong country with inexhaustible economic potentials and ultra-modern science and technology and created a modern myth of a strong country by making the Korean nation the envy of all people in 50 years. The satellite launch by the north displayed its strong defence capacity and the potentials of the north remind people of the fact that its statement is not an empty talk, the statement that the north would mercilessly annihilate any violator of its sovereignty, wherever he may be in this planet. I want to call the north a "Kwangmyongsong" strong country, which is great for the Juche idea, enjoys respect from the people for its politics of independence, is powerful for independent economy and strong for invincible military power. The "Kwangmyongsong" strong country is opening a new world in which big and small countries are equal, putting a period to the unreasonable U.S.-led unipolar world. A new world centred on the "Kwangmyongsong" strong country means a new era of history which puts an end to arbitrariness and oppression by the western powers forever and opens a way of progress, development, equality and dignity for each nation and each state. The 21st century will be a new century led by "Kwangmyongsong" strong country. The "Kwangmyongsong" strong country is Kim Jong Il's strong country. Glorious future is dawning for a strong reunified country of one nation under the brilliant rays of "Kwangmyongsong."

Legalization of Jongyojo called for in South Korea

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- Over 300 teachers affiliated with the National Teachers Union of South Korea (Jongyojo) held a rally in Seoul on November 28 and called for legalization of the union, according to a radio report from Seoul. They in a resolution rejected the step taken by the "Grand National Party" against the legalization of the union and demanded that the step be withdrawn at once and a bill on the union be passed through the "National Assembly."

Present "government" of South Korea goes bankrupt

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- The International Committee of Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights in South Korea published bulletin No.8 (October-November). The bulletin recalled that 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, was arrested on November 3. It said the arrest shows that the present South Korean "government's" talking about "improvement of relations" with the north is no more than hypocrisy and it is suppressing those people aspiring after reunification as the successive military dictators did. In South Korea the factory and office workers who took the lead in the struggle for democracy in society are falling victims to the economic bankruptcy caused by the financial crisis and the social rights of the workers are being trampled down, the bulletin wrote, and said: The present "government" of South Korea is going bankrupt by taking a dive into economic restructuring at the bidding of the International Monetary Fund. The bulletin disclosed the violation of human rights in South Korea, the falsehood of the "release" of political prisoners in particular and held that the South Korean authorities should immediately set free unconverted long-term prisoners and send back to the north those who want to go back to their hometowns. The bulletin carried an appeal adopted at an international meeting of lawyers for the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners in South Korea which was held in Paris in June.

23rd founding anniversary of Laos commemorated blow

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- Papers here today dedicate articles to the 23rd anniversary of the foundation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. An article of Rodong Sinmun says: The foundation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic made it possible for the Lao people to grasp their destiny in their own hands and set out for the struggle to build a prosperous new Laos as genuine masters of their country. For the past 23 years since its foundation the Lao people have made a great progress in their struggle to achieve national unity, defend revolutionary gains with credit and build a new Laos. The Korean people are sincerely rejoiced over dazzling successes made by the Lao people in their efforts to create a new life. The friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Laos and two peoples which have been forged in the common struggle for the building of a new society are developing on good terms with each passing day. An article of Minju Joson says: The Korean people sincerely wishes the Lao people greater success in their struggle for the prosperity of their country, believing that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will further expand and develop.

Kim Yong Nam meets Cuban ambassador

Pyongyang, December 2 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today met and had a conversation with Jose Ramon Rodriguez Varona, Cuban ambassador to DPRK, who paid a farewell call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall. Present was Pak Kil Yon, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.