On U.S. military strategy toward DPRK
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today runs a commentator's article captioned "On U.S. military strategy toward the DPRK."
The article calls attention to the boisterous military strategic moves of the U.S., Japan and the South Korean ruling quarters, and says what is clear here is that the Asian version of NATO is brought into shape at the final stage.
The military tie-up of the U.S., Japan and the South Korean authorities is alleged to be made because of the launch of an artificial satellite in the DPRK and a non-existent "suspected underground nuclear facility," it says, and continues: The purpose is to take issue with the DPRK and thus secure military power for monopolistic domination over the Asia-Pacific region.
The region is vital to the U.S. which dreams a dream of becoming the only "superpower" in the world.
The U.S. efforts to bring into shape the Asian version of NATO so as to increase military cooperation and beef up its military power will inevitably get on the nerves of other big countries in the region. The efforts will necessarily invite resistance against the U.S. design for military and economic monopoly from those countries. Then, the Cold War which disappeared in Europe will revive in Asia. The Cold War is, in actuality, reviving in Asia.
The U.S. is zealously intensifying military preparedness on the pretexts of our "missile launch" and "nuclear suspicion." In other words, it claims that non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear arms, is a demand of international laws, as well as "top priority" in its external policy and that as the DPRK refuses to meet the demand, there should be "military counteraction."
The U.S. allegation that there should be "military counteraction" towards the DPRK means that it dislikes the ideology, ideal and system in the DPRK.
The final aim of the U.S. Korea policy is to destroy the socialist system in the DPRK.
To this end, the U.S. has left no stone unturned to isolate and stifle the DPRK. It has resorted to the method of appeasement and military pressure.
The last resort of the U.S. is to carry out the "operation plan 5027" for a second Korean War of aggression.
That is why from the beginning of the year the U.S. in league with Japan and the South Korean authorities is now intensifying military preparedness, zealously bringing into shape the Asian version of NATO.
Recently, some people of the U.S. cry for such a "carrot" as granting diplomatic recognition and lifting economic sanctions to the DPRK for the prevention of the DPRK's missile development and the removal of the "nuclear suspicion."
We make it clear that as long as the U.S. strategic aim to undermine our socialism remains unchanged, there can be no true improved relations between the DPRK and U.S. as long as the U.S. does not give up a design to undermine our system, there will inevitably be a military conflict anytime.
We are in full readiness to annihilate the aggressors at one stroke.
The U.S. design for monopolistic domination over the Asia-Pacific region will never be realised.
Military showdown with the DPRK will only precipitate the destruction of the U.S. and its hirelings. They should be mindful of this.
Kim Jong Il visits Thaechon General Hydro-Electric Power Plant
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il gave on-site guidance to the Thaechon General Hydro-Electric Power Plant.
Kim Jong Il went round power station No. 2 of the plant and learned about how it was built and how production was going on.
Giving definite priority to power output is the most important in making leaping progress in the national economy, he said, and put forward important tasks to increase the nation's power output.
He called on the party members and other working people in power, coal, metal and other key industries of the national economy and all other sectors to work new miracles and innovation in production so that a radical turning-point could be made in the building of a powerful nation in this significant year.
He pointed out that the workers and other people of Korea intensely loyal to the party and the revolution were effecting an unprecedented upswing in production in all parts of the country from the beginning of the year to build a powerful nation. "We will certainly win with this inexhaustible strength of our wholeheartedly united people," He added.
He was accompanied by chief secretary of the North Phyongan Provincial Committee of the WPK Kim Phyong Hae, secretary Kim Kuk Thae and first vice department directors of the WPK Central Committee Pak Song Bong and Ri Yong Chol.
Kim Jong Il receives letter from repatriate
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Tae Ryong sent a letter of thanks to General Secretary Kim Jong Il on December 27, 1998.
He had worked at the Akita prefectural headquarters of Chongryon (General Association of Korean Residents in Japan) and returned to the fatherland some time ago.
In his letter he wrote: Though I returned old-aged, you, feeling anxious about my living, provided me with a modern house and gifts of various kinds.
Your love for me and my family represents your high political trust in and solicitude for not only my family but also 70 million Koreans in Japan and those who returned from Japan.
Such a benevolent and tender-hearted leader and a great man of high virtue as you are rare in the world .
I extend my warmest gratitude to you once again.
I will cherish your great love forever in my mind, invariably remain loyal to you and trust only you in the future too, so as to repay your deep loving care even a little.
I will train my children and grandchildren to be revolutionary soldiers boundlessly loyal to Kim Jong Il generation after generation.
Kim Jong Il's birthday to be celebrated in Peru
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- An inaugural meeting of a Peruvian national preparatory committee for celebrating the 57th birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il was held in Lima on Jan. 12.
Present at the meeting were the chairman of the People's Front of Workers, Peasants and Students, the secretary general of the Socialist Party, the secretary general of the C.C., the Revolutionary Socialist Party and other political party leaders of Peru and the chairman of the Peru-Korea Institute of Culture and Friendship.
The chairman of the Peru-Korea Institute of Culture and Friendship in his speech said that all miraculous successes in the DPRK are a brilliant result of the wise guidance of Kim Jong Il, the invincible and, iron-willed commander and the great man of the century.
He was elected chairman of the preparatory committee.
The meeting set a celebration period from Jan. 12 to the end of February and discussed a programme of colorful celebration events to be held during this period.
A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
Korean people's efforts for building powerful nation
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- Korean working people have worked hard to make 1999 a year of general advance and great turn in building a powerful nation.
Workers at the Huichon General Machine Tool Plant resolved to carry out their assignments for this year ahead of schedule despite difficulties and shortage, the way they built socialism on the ruins in the postwar period. And they challenged the working class across the country to a socialist emulation.
Colliers at Anju and Sunchon area coal complexes and other colliers are enlarging coal fields with priority directed to tunnelling and pit building, thus boosting coal output.
Electricity producers have set high targets to increase output with the maximum use of reserves and potentials created last year and have turned out to put them into effect.
As a result, the work has been pushed ahead from the beginning of the year to bring earlier the commissioning of the large-scale hydro-power stations now under construction and to build a large number of minor power stations through a mass movement.
Young builders of the Pyongyang-Nampho Express Highway are doubling the speed of levelling the roadbeds as against the previous month.
All the scientists of the National Academy of Sciences are directing big efforts to ultramodern domains in order to put the nation's science and technology as a whole on world level at an early date. They went out to the spot to deepen researches and introduction, thus solving knotty scientific and technological problems.
And, farming preparations are in full swing on co-op farms.
Agricultural workers are now putting spurs to production of manure and its transport as well as the work of securing high-yield seeds.
What does Cohen's trip show? = KCNA commentary =
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Cohen recently toured Japan and South Korea. During the trip he had military confabs with senior political and military officials of Japan and South Korea almost every day at which they discussed a "cooperation system" over "inspections of underground nuclear facility in North Korea" and its "missile threat."
In a word his junket showed that the U.S. moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK militarily are getting more reckless from the beginning of the year, assuming a new dangerous aspect.
In meeting with the Japanese reactionaries, Cohen laid stress on the policy of engagement with the DPRK backed by military strength, saying that it is necessary to strongly deter the DPRK. And, at a "South Korea-U.S. annual consultative meeting on security affairs" with the South Korean authorities, he examined and agreed upon the issue of intensifying the deployment exercises of the reinforcements from the U.S. mainland and the "proposal for taking a powerful military counteraction" in case of "emergency".
What cannot be overlooked is the fact that Cohen, in a press conference, cried out on somebody's "provocation" and declared the U.S. would "punish it by all means including the nuclear umbrella."
Worse still, Cohen hinted that the U.S. might use nuclear weapons. Before saying such threatening words, he should have considered what a destructive end such a gamble would bring to the United States.
The U.S. hawks should know that if they think they can survive a nuclear war in the Korean peninsula kindled by them, it would be a serious mistake.
Military manoeuvres precipitating destruction
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff headquarters of South Korea Kim Jin Ho and chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff Shelton held the "20th South Korea-U.S. military committee" meeting in Seoul on January 14 and agreed to set up a new "joint psychological warfare command for wartime", according to a news report.
The major operational mission of the combined psychological warfare command, an organisation of specialized military alliance, is to broadcast news items aimed at assimilating the inhabitants of the north to a Liberal Democratic System and conduct an operation to jam radios of the north if an "overall war breaks out" on the Korean peninsula.
Opening to the public the plan for setting up the psychological warfare command, the South Korean authorities announced that it would also be formed to examine its function during the "South Korea-U.S. joint military training" in the future as well as in the "event of contingency".
This is one of their major criminal purposes.
It is clear that the South Korean warmongers, in collusion with the United States, are foolishly trying to disintegrate through a broadcasting means the Korean people who are resolutely defending their socialism without wavering under any ideological and cultural infiltration by the imperialists.
The United States is zealously trying to stifle the DPRK with armed forces, advertising "operation plan 5027" for northward invasion. Not content with this, it, together with the South Korean warmongers, intends to attain its sinister purpose by spreading its ideological and cultural poison within the DPRK through the joint psychological warfare command.
However, theirs is a useless plan.
Useless joint psychological warfare = KCNA commentary =
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) - From the beginning of the year the South Korean authorities have staged military manoeuvres of various kinds, including air attack and ground strike against the North, together with the U.S. warmongers.
Rodong Sinmun today runs a commentary in this regard.
Their anti-North maneuvers against the reunification movement of the fellow countrymen fully prove that they have no intention for reunification, but seek to do harm to the north, in conspiracy with outsiders, the news analyst says, and goes on: Their intention to invade the north and bellicose acts indicate that they will resort to the most vicious war exercises for showdown with the north this year.
Their loud-mouthed "surprise provocation" of the north is aimed at justifying their anti-north maneuvers.
The DPRK neither wants nor fears a showdown. If it is imposed, the DPRK will never miss the opportunity.
Warmongers had better cool off and act with discretion.
Memorial messages for late Mun Ik Hwan
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- The north headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) and the Council for National Reconciliation on Monday sent memorial messages to the south headquarters of Pomminryon and the late spring commemoration council of the late Mun Ik Hwan for embracing national reunification on the occasion of his 5th death anniversary.
The messages read: Although Mun Ik Hwan passed away, his efforts devoted to the unity of pro-reunification patriotic forces serve as a motive force encouraging us to struggle.
The present situation of the reunification movement requires all the organisations at home and abroad more urgently than ever before to strengthen solidarity and unity in their struggle for national independence and unity.
The messages expressed the belief that all pro-reunification movement organisations in South Korea including the south headquarters of Pomminryon will strengthen solidarity and unity and conduct a more vigorous patriotic struggle for the independence and great unity of the nation and the country's reunification.
Memorial service for Rev. Mun Ik Hwan
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- A memorial service was held in Pyongyang on Jan. 18 to commemorate the 5th death anniversary of Rev. Mun Ik Hwan, a pro-reunification patriot of South Korea.
Present at the service were Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the central committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party and chairman of the Council for National Reconciliation, Ryu Mi Yong, chairperson of the central committee of the Korean Chondoist Chongu Party and chairperson of the Council for Unity of Tangun Nation, officials concerned, relatives of Rev. Mun in Pyongyang and working people of all social strata in the city.
Participants paid a moment's silent tribute to the memory of Rev. Mun.
Jang Jae On, vice-chairman of the North headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification and chairman of the Korean Religious Believers Council, said in his memorial address that Rev. Mun worked hard for the patriotic cause of independence, democracy and reunification all his life.
He noted that the reverend's visit to Pyongyang in March 1989 was the road of true patriotism and eternal life.
Rev. Mun, deeply moved by the great reunification programme of the President Kim Il Sung, came to cherish the faith that only the President and Marshal Kim Jong Il can save the destiny of the Korean nation. After returning to South Korea, he waged a courageous struggle for great national unity and national reunification in face of harsh suppression and persecution on the part of the fascist hangmen, he said, and continued: The Marshal felt extremely grieved for the death of the reverend and saw to it that a memorial service was held in Pyongyang with a large attendance.
Widow of the reverend, Pak Yong Gil, visited Pyongyang on the occasion of the first death anniversary of the President. At that time the Marshal met with Pak and called her "a grandma of reunification," who will be recorded in history of the nation.
All the compatriots in the North, South and abroad should discharge their obligation and role in the struggle for national reunification with fresh confidence and courage.
Anecdotes of popular traits
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- There are many revolutionary anecdotes of the charisma of General Secretary Kim Jong Il in Korea.
Some of them are about his popular traits. He feels pride and worth at the pleasure and happiness of the people.
During his local guidance to Chosan county, Jagang Province, in September Juche 55 (1966), he joined farmers in striking maize stalks with sticks to peel them all night.
Sharing their trouble, he found out a way of mechanization to free them from hard labor.
When a machine of peeling maize stalks was later manufactured as taught by him, the farmers said with tears that the leader of the nation shed sweat for the welfare of the people.
One day in April Juche 68 (1979), an issue of introducing a new process for better food of people, especially children, was raised at a conference. Officials were hesitant about building the new process for financial reasons. At that time, Kim Jong Il told them to start the project without delay, saying that even the national safe should be emptied for the happy life of the people, that nothing should be spared for their sake and that this was the calculation method of the Workers' Party of Korea.
While on a journey by train for personal guidance to Jagang Province in January 1998, he looked out of the window, counted the number of houses and the number of aerials installed on the roofs and found that the numbers are not equal. He took measures for equally distributing television sets to local people.
One day in December last year, he told officials what makes him pleased and happy. He said that when he hears that people are well off, his fatigue disappears at once and he feels strong even after working without sleep and meals.
The people's pleasure and happiness are what makes him pleased and happy, he added.
His popular traits are a source of the Korean people's absolute worship, loyalty and devotion to him.
S. Korean police arrest students
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- The South Korean fascist police walked away former chairman Kim Jae Don and vice-chairman Ri Yong Su of the student council of the Agricultural College of Seoul National University on Jan. 14, according to a news report.
They were staging a demonstration in Seoul calling for making Kim Young Sam appear at an economic hearing and lifting the want list for political offenders.
They had reportedly staged a long-drawn sit-in strike at the Jogye Temple in Jongro district, Seoul, since August last year in demand of the release of prisoners of conscience.
Winter sports become active
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- Now is the winter sports season in this country. Schoolchildren and other people are seen skating, skiing and sleighing.
Ice hockey, skating games and group march on snow are being held.
Particularly conspicuous in the recent years' national senior middle school ice hockey events were the pupils from Yuson Senior Middle School in Hoeryong city, North Hamgyong Province and Pujon Senior Middle School in Pujon county, South Hamgyong Province, and those from Chonggye Senior Middle School in Ryongsong district, Pyongyang and Namchon Senior Middle School in Huichon city, Jagang Province in the speed skating events.
A month is set for the winter sporting activities between January and February annually.
Winter in Korea is relatively long and it snows much in this season, which provides good conditions for winter sports. Sports facilities are available everywhere, including a large-scale skiing ground on the Lake Samji and skating rink on the Lake Pujon and the Pyongyang Ice Rink.
In this winter sports month, various sporting activities are conducted, involving people of all ages, sexes and occupations at schools, national organs, factories, farms and at neighbourhood units to suit their ages, occupations, hobby, physical preparedness and topographical features.
At schools, pupils are encouraged to do skating and skiing. During the winter vacation mountaineering and group march are often organised.
Amidst music broadcast many people do various kinds of physical training such as running and setting-up exercises regularly. On national holidays or Sundays they go out playing the games individually or in groups. Inter-factory and inter-workshop games are often arranged.
The winter sports month is greatly helpful to promoting public concern over the sports and to making sporting activities massbased.
Greetings to Lao Defence Minister
Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Il Chol sent a message of greetings to Choummaly Saygnasone, deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Laos, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Laotian People's Army.
The message, extended warm congratulations to all officers and men of the Laotian People's Army and expressed the belief that friendly and cooperative relations between the armies of the DPRK and Laos will further develop by their joint efforts.
The message wished him greater successes in his responsible work for strengthening the national defence capabilities of the country.