Kim Jong Il's work published in pamphlet in Russia
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il's famous work "On Intensifying University Education To Meet the Requirements of Developing Revolution" was published in pamphlet by the patriot newspaper office of Russia on February 5 to mark his birthday.
This work was made public on October 1, Juche 85 (1996), the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Kim Il Sung University.
Film show held on February holiday
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- The Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the Ministry of Culture sponsored a film show at the People's Palace of Culture yesterday to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Present on invitation were foreign embassy cultural attaches and other officials in Pyongyang.
The participants appreciated a Korean documentary film "Banner of Eternal Life" and feature film "Far-off Island."
Cardinal Kim Su Hwan calls for wholesale release of prisoners of conscience
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Cardinal Kim Su Hwan sent a letter to the present chief executive of South Korea on February 8 calling for wholesale release of prisoners of conscience, according to a South Korean press report.
He called for drastic release of prisoners of conscience, including those who have been in jail over 40 years, on the occasion of the anniversary of the March First Popular Uprising.
Preparatory committees inaugurated to celebrate 57th birthday of Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Preparatory committees were inaugurated in Romania and Luxembourg to celebrate the 57th birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il. The chairman of the Socialist Party of Romania was elected chairman of a Romanian preparatory committee. Addressing the inaugural meeting, he noted that thanks to the great Kim Jong Il's sagacious leadership the DPRK is sure to hit the target of building a powerful nation and shine more brilliantly as the bulwark of socialism and beacon of hope for the world revolutionary people.
Insult to sovereignty of independent country
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Diplomatic authorities of the U.S., South Korea and Japan had working-level discussions in Seoul over "suspected underground nuclear facility" and "missile issue" of the north on February 9, according to an NHK radio report.
These discussions which have already turned out to be unreasonable as they only served the purpose of aggravating the situation on the Korean peninsula prove that their political and diplomatic nexus which they describe as "cooperation" against the north is a shameless and criminal one.
They were reported to have reiterated that it was "necessary to check missile development and export by North Korea, which was posing threats to security in the Asia-pacific region" and reached "consensus."
Such sheer sophism makes a mockery of impartial world public opinion. It is a flagrant violation and an unbearable insult to the sovereignty of the DPRK.
The DPRK's missile development and export belongs to the sovereignty of the independent country. So, no one is entitled to poke his nose into the issue. The DPRK is in a military confrontation with the U.S. which boasts of being the only superpower in the world. The U.S. seeks to isolate and stifle the DPRK politically, militarily and economically, while intensifying military tie-up with Japan and South Korea. Therefore, no one is allowed to pull the DPRK up over this issue under this situation.
However, the U.S. is taking issue with the DPRK, in league with Japan and South Korea, and putting spurs to arms buildup. It is employing this base technique to realise its ambition for military supremacy and monopolistic position in the Asia-pacific region.
The Korean people and the revolutionary armed forces will increase self-reliant national defense capabilities to foil aggressive scheming of the U.S. and its followers and fight to the end in defence of the nation's sovereignty and dignity.
Cuban charge d'affaires gives reception to mark February holiday
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Nirsia Castro Guevara, charge d'affaires of Cuba to Korea, gave a reception at the embassy on Wednesday to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Invited to it were honorary vice-president of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Pak Song Chol, secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee Choe Thae Bok, Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, Minister of Education Choe Ki Ryong and others.
In her speech Nirsia Castro Guevara noted Kim Jong Il's birthday, a significant holiday, is now being celebrated in different parts of the world. This is an expression of respect and admiration for him who has been overcoming all the hardships, smashing the economic blockade and war moves by the U.S. imperialists and their stooges, she stressed.
The charge d'affaires declared that Cuba will further strengthen and develop the traditional relations of friendship with the DPRK and always fully support the cause of the Korean people in the struggle for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.
Choe Thae Bok said the Korean people would make all possible efforts to continue to develop the traditional friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries on the basis of intimate relationship between the great leader Kim Jong Il and the supreme leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro Ruz. And they will always extend invariable support and solidarity to the Cuban people in their struggle, he added.
GI's murders flailed
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- The spokesmen for the central committees of the Korean Christian Federation and the Korean Buddhist Federation on Wednesday released statements denouncing the brutal murders by GIs present in South Korea.
The statements pointed out that the recent murders by U.S. imperialist aggressors are not accidental crimes, but an inevitable product of the brutal colonial rule of the U.S. imperialists in South Korea. They branded the murders as a thrice-cursed crime, the kind which can be committed only by Satan and gangsters.
Yankees commit all outrages without hesitation, lording it over South Korea. That is attributable to the present South Korean ruling quarters who are looking up to the aggressors as "god" and "Sakyamuni," they said.
They expressed the conviction that all the Christians and Buddhists in South Korea would join in a powerful anti-American and anti-"government" struggle, shoulder to shoulder with people of different social standings.
10days film show opens to celebrate February holiday
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- A 10days film show opened to celebrate February 16. Documentary films on the imperishable exploits performed by General Secretary Kim Jong Il for the times, the revolution, the country and the people and his noble virtues will be screened across the country from February 10 to 19. Among the documentaries are "Embrace of Worthy Life," "Led by the Great Brilliant Commander" and "the Bright Star of Mt. Paektu." Serials of multi-part feature film "the Nation and Destiny," "Forest Sways," "Story of the Flower" and "Party Membership Card" and other films will also be shown. The opening ceremony was held at the People's Palace of Culture on Wednesday. Secretary Kim Ki Nam of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea and officials concerned were present there.
Enlarged meeting of CILRECO executive committee held
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- An enlarged meeting of the executive committee of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea (CILRECO) was held in Brussels on February 6.
The meeting focussed on the issue of waging an active international solidarity movement in support of the Korean people's just cause to open an epochal phase of national reunification in view of the dangerous situation prevailing in the Korean peninsula and the policy of dependence on outside forces and confrontation with the DPRK which the present "government" of South Korea is pursuing.
Guy Dupre, secretary general of the CILRECO, in his report noted that the solidarity movement for the reunification of Korea should focus on putting pressure on the U.S. to respond to the conclusion of a peace agreement with the U.S. troop pullout as its core.
The world peace-loving people who advocate the reunification and peace of Korea should fully support a letter to the South Korean authorities and political parties, organizations and personages of various social strata at home and abroad adopted at a joint meeting of the DPRK government, political parties and organizations and wage an active international solidarity movement for its realization, he stressed.
A letter to General Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
An appeal to governments and socio-political forces of different countries around the world and international organizations and an action programme of CILRECO for 1999 were also adopted.
The appeal called upon governments and socio-political forces of different countries around the world and international organizations to put pressure on the U.S. to respond to a proposal for the replacement of the Korean Armistice Agreement with a peace agreement, to stop interference in the internal affairs of Korea and to withdraw its troops from South Korea. It also called upon them to fully support the proposal adopted at the joint meeting of the DPRK government, political parties and organizations and to urge the South Korean authorities to accept this proposal.
A special resolution of the enlarged meeting of the executive committee of CILRECO was adopted at the meeting.
Considering the DPRK's new offer to the South Korean authorities and political parties, organizations and personages of various social standings at home and abroad to be a very important one at the present juncture because it is designed to thwart the danger of a new war in the Korean peninsula and to reunify the country in reliance upon great national unity, it fully supports the proposal, it noted.
Deceptive advertisement for "special amnesty" in S. Korea flayed
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Papers here today come out with commentaries denouncing the South Korean rulers for announcing that they would declare "March 1 special amnesty" and that, particularly, they would "release all the unconverted long-term prisoners" although they make no "law-abiding oaths."
A news analyst of Rodong Sinmun says: in South Korea, the anti-reunification fascist "security law" is still binding people hand and foot. Moreover, the self-styled "government for the people" is brutally cracking down upon pro-reunification democratic forces on the strength of this evil law.
Last year alone, the number of the prisoners of conscience showed an increase of more than 400.
Nevertheless, the South Korean rulers plan to exclude pro-reunification patriotic forces from the "special amnesty."
The "special amnesty" is useless if these figures are excluded.
Lurking behind the loud-mouthed advertisement about the "release of unconverted long-term prisoners" is the sinister intention of the South Korean rulers.
Public opinion at home and abroad is strongly calling for the repeal of the fascist law and for the release of the conscientious prisoners who devoted their all to reunification and patriotic cause.
Accordingly, their announcement about the "release of the unconverted long-term prisoners at the advanced age of 70" is nothing but a gesture to deflect strong criticism at home and abroad and mislead public opinion. At the same time, they intend to bring them under stricter watch and control as per the "security law" and the "law on supervision for public peace."
A news analyst of Minju Joson says: The South Korean rulers' talk about "release of unconverted long-term prisoners" is just a window-dressing as it is intended to create the impression that they are interested in human rights.
S. Korean authorities' war hysterics
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities staged what they call "off-shore anti-submarine combat exercises" in the sea off Kangwon Province of South Korea on the plea of "southward invasion" on February 8 and 9, a Seoul-based radio said. Involved in the exercises were "ROK" army, police, civil servants and even fishermen in the areas around the site of exercises. The exercises clearly show that though the South Korean authorities are talking about "exchanges" and "cooperation" under the signboard of "sunshine policy" and "engagement," they step up war preparations to stifle the north.
"Paektusan Cup" sports meet of officials of national institutions closes
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- "Paektusan Cup" sports meet of officials of national institutions closed. It began on Jan. 20 to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il. The closing ceremony was held at Kim Il Sung Stadium on Wednesday. Chairman Ryom Sun Gil of the central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea in a closing address stressed that the meet marked a significant occasion in developing mass sports and called upon all the officials to build up their physical strength so as to greatly help build a powerful nation. Present at the ceremony were vice premier Jo Chang Dok of the cabinet and department director Won Tong Gu of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea.
Iranian ambassador gives reception to celebrate Kim Jong Il's birthday
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Mohammad Ganjidoost, Iranian ambassador to Korea, gave a reception at his embassy yesterday to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il. Present on invitation were honorary vice-president Ri Jong Ok of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Il Chol, Minister of Labor Ri Won Il, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Tong Chun and officials concerned.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry delegation led by vice-Minister Mohsen Aminzadeh was present.
The ambassador, addressing the reception, referred to the friendly relations between the DPRK and Iran, and spoke highly of the Juche idea and the spirit of self-reliance.
He highly praised the President Kim Il Sung for his exploits in upgrading the friendly relations between the two countries.
He expressed the conviction that the excellent friendly relations between the Korean people led by the great Kim Jong Il and the Iranian people would further develop.
Ceaseless anti-DPRK confabs in Tokyo and Seoul
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities were closeted with Japanese militarists even at the Defence Agency of Japan, according to a foreign news report. The confab, held for two days from Feb. 8 to 9 with attendance of some 20 warmongers, discussed the situation in Asia including the DPRK and the issue of a joint exercise of the navy of South Korea and the maritime "self-defense force" of Japan scheduled for summer. It is the first time that they held such a confab at the Japan Defence Agency on the plea of "promoting defense cooperation." In another development, high-ranking officials of the United States, Japan and South Korea were closeted in Seoul on Feb. 9 over someone's "suspected underground nuclear facility" and "missile development" to hatch up a series of criminal intrigues to stifle the DPRK.
Some 10,000 trade unionists go on strike
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Trade unionists of the Sohari, Asan and Sihwa factories of the Kia Motor Company in South Korea, more than 10,000 in all, reportedly went on a strike on February 10. The strikers held rallies at factories to press for measures for existence, including job security. On February 9 they had negotiations with the management side on layoffs and wages in advance of the strike. They answered the management side's refusal to meet their demands with a massive struggle.
Leaflets praising Kim Jong Il scattered in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) - Leaflets praising General Secretary Kim Jong Il were recently scattered in Toksan-dong, a Wharf of Pohang Iron and Steel Co. and other parts of Pohang City, North Kyongsang Province of South Korea, a Seoul-based radio said. Printed on the leaflets were a picture of Kim Jong Il and letters "February 16, great fortunate day of the nation. Leader Kim Jong Il, the sun of the 21st century."
Joint venture enterprises do fair business
A great number of joint venture enterprises have been formed in various industrial sectors -- mining, electronics, engineering, building materials, chemical and light industries, fisheries, stockbreeding, public health, banking, transport and communications and services.
The goods produced in these enterprises are in great demand in the world market.
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- In the DPRK every encouragement is given to equity and contractual joint venture enterprises in economic sectors.
The motors manufactured at the Kumgang Joint Venture Motor Company with an annual production capacity of 100,000 are exported to France, Germany, Pakistan, Greece, Italy and China. The company takes the order of thousands of motors a ear from the western countries.
Numerically controlled machine tools produced at the Ryonha Joint Venture Machine Company are also in great demand.
The drinking water produced at the Koryo Sindoksan Equity Joint Venture Mineral Water Company with a production capacity of 100,000 tons a year is finding favor with customers for its good quality.
Processing of clothes, handicrafts and piano is practiced.
The joint venture enterprises in this country are based on solid foundations of an independent economy and are staffed with skilled and experienced technicians. This is a real earnest for the development of these enterprises.
Proposal of DPRK joint meeting favored
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Presidium member of the c.c., the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland, Ryo Won Gu, issued a press statement on Wednesday in support of the proposal set forth at the joint meeting of the government, political parties and organizations of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The statement expressed the hope that the South Korean authorities would remove obstacles from inter-Korean dialogue so that it may make a new start in a cordial atmosphere in the latter half of this year.
The statement said: As was noted at the joint meeting, the South Korean authorities should take account of the noble idea of the 3 principles of national reunification and respect them and, on this basis, opt to improve the inter-Korean relations and solve reunification problems in response to the call of the north.
They should put aside such pseudo principles as "keynote" and "3-point principles" and refrain from doing contrary to our 3 principles of national reunification.
The high-level political talks between the north and south depend entirely on whether the South Korean authorities carry out the priorities pointed out in the proposal or not.
Foreign crewmen meet to mark Kim Jong Il's birthday
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Foreign crewmen met on February 8 in Nampho Port on the West Coast of Korea to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il. Present at the meeting were crewmen of the U.S.-flagged ship "Rover," Saint Vincent-flagged ship "Sona" and Belize-flagged ship "Ever Gain." At the meeting speakers said that as Kim Jong Il possesses loyalty to preceding leader on the noblest level, the idea and line of the respected President Kim Il Sung have firmly been upheld and realized. They noted that led by Kim Jong Il, a great master in the art of leadership, the Korean people are victoriously advancing in spite of continued obstructive maneuvers of the imperialists and serious natural disasters.
Kim Jong Il's old home in Mt. Paektu secret camp
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- A simple log cabin in the thick forests of Mt. Paektu in the northern inland area of Korea is a haunt of so many people.
General Secretary Kim Jong Il was born in this log cabin on February 16, Juche 31 (1942) and spent his childhood. There he grew to be a great son of the nation, hearing the gun-reports of anti-Japanese war instead of a lullaby.
A wooden pistol, wooden sword and a pair of wooden binoculars, a Korean map and other historic relics associated with his childhood are preserved.
Mt. Paektu secret camp was the center of guidance over the Korean Revolution, where the headquarters of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army was located and active in the second half of the 1930s and in the first half of the 1940s.
There are in the forest and other parts of Korea trees bearing the slogans describing his birth as a great event of the Korean nation and the "Birth of the bright star on Mt. Paektu."
Time-honored Mt. Paektu secret camp was restored to just what was like some 50 years back and opened to the public in 1987 and letters "Jong Il Peak" were carved on the rocks of the peak behind his old home, reflecting the desire of the Korean people.
Standing in the secret camp is the monument to a poem written by the President Kim Il Sung to congratulate Kim Jong Il on his 50th birthday.
Mt. Paektu, an ancestral mountain and sacred mountain of the revolution, with the old home of Kim Jong Il, is dear to the hearts of the Korean people.
With the auspicious February holiday drawing nearer an endless crowd of people visit his old home at Mt. Paektu secret camp every day.
Criminal trip to conspire with Israel
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- The South Korean "Prime Minister" Kim Jong Pil, on a Middle East tour on February 9 met the Israeli President and discussed "cooperation" and a "Middle East peace settlement proposal," a Seoul-based radio said. The "cooperation" with Israel, a strangler of the Arab people, is meant to join in an anti-Arab campaign of Israel. It is an insult and challenge to the Arab people. The "Middle East peace settlement proposal" is designed to justify Israel's aggression on Arab countries. His support to the "proposal" itself means taking an active part in the anti-Arab campaign of Israel.
Proposal of joint meeting of DPRK government, political parties and organisations
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Vice-chairman Ko Tae Chol of the central committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) on February 9 released a statement in support of a proposal of a joint meeting of the DPRK government, political parties and organizations, Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation said.
He voiced full support for the recent proposal of the north for opening a new phase of national reunification through national independence and great unity, saying that it is an epochal measure of national salvation and reunification to bridge over the prevailing situation and open a new phase of national reunification.
He further said: The present authorities of South Korea should discontinue such anti-national, anti-reunification actions as seeking "cooperation" with outside forces against the fellow countrymen, staging frantic joint military maneuvers, keeping the "National Security Law" in force and suppressing patriotic champions of reunification. They should at the same time make a policy switchover at an early date and go in for national independence and pro-north reconciliation.
The NDFSK, as well as broad segments of people, will accelerate a march for independence and reunification and thus greatly help make this year a year of national independence and great unity in hearty response to the three charters of national reunification set forth by the President Kim Il Sung and the five-point policy of great national unity laid down by General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Newspapers commemorate day of victory of Islamic Revolution in Iran
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang-based newspapers today say that the Korean people extend warm congratulations and greetings to the Iranian people on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Rodong Sinmun says in an article: The Iranian people's victory in the Islamic Revolution was a sure guarantee for them to advance along the road of independent progress.
In the last two decades since the victory of the revolution, the Iranian people have made all efforts to consolidate the victory and defend the gains of the revolution.
They have not stood back a step in the struggle to defend national sovereignty, territorial integrity and dignity of the nation, pushing aside the imperialists' interference in their internal affairs, aggression and subversive moves and sabotage.
The friendship between the Korean and Iranian peoples is developing day by day along the road of anti-imperialist independence. The Korean people will always advance with the Iranian people along this path.
Minju Joson says in an article that the Korean people believe that the Korea-Iran friendly relations will further expand and develop and sincerely wish the Iranian people greater success in their efforts to build a new independent and prosperous society.
National symposium marks Kim Jong Il's 57th birthday
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- A national symposium was held here today on the occasion of the 57th birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
It was said at the symposium that Kim Jong Il is the great thinker, theoretician and statesman who indicates the correct way of accomplishing socialism by attesting to its truth and invincibility and is leading the Juche revolutionary cause to victory with top priority given to military affairs.
It was also noted that he is the genius of creation who has built a scientifically and technologically powerful country with his extraordinary intelligence and wise guidance, the lodestar of reunification who has accelerated the reunification of the country through great national unity and that he is the great leader who is paving the way for building a powerful nation with a far-reaching plan and energetic on-site guidance.
Thanks to the original theory of Kim Jong Il, the most correct way of accomplishing socialism was illumined and it was clearly proved that for humankind to advance toward socialism is an inexorable law of historical development, the speakers said, and continued: He set forth the idea of leading the revolution with top priority given to military affairs -- to firmly build up the revolutionary ranks with the People's Army as hardcore elements and push ahead with socialist construction in the revolutionary spirit of soldiers.
The greatness of this idea finds its expression in the fact that he has provided a sure military guarantee for accomplishing the Juche revolutionary cause.
Thanks to his energetic guidance and efforts, the DPRK has already ranked itself among the nations possessing artificial satellites which represent the highest level of ultramodern science and technology and laid foundations with which to place all domains of the nation's science and technology on the world level of development.
In such rigorous days as today, Kim Jong Il has not only defended the destiny of the country and nation but also laid solid foundations to build a powerful socialist nation.
These are miracles of history which can be wrought only by him.
The speakers called upon all the Korean people to become absolute followers, resolute defenders and thorough executors of Kim Jong Il's ideas.
Present at the symposium were Ri Jong Ok, Yang Hyong Sop, Choe Thae Bok, Kim Ki Nam and officials concerned.
Greetings to Iranian President
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today sent a message of greetings to Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The message said that the Iranian people have made achievements in the struggle to push aside the ceaseless subversive activities and sabotage and pressure of the enemies at home and abroad, defend the revolutionary gains and build a new free and prosperous Iran over the past 20 years since the victory of the revolution. The message wished the President good health and happiness, hoping that the diligent and brave Iranian people would achieve a greater success in the struggle to consolidate the victory of the Islamic Revolution and build an independent and prosperous Islamic society under the correct leadership of the President.
Floral basket and gift to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a floral basket and gift from the visiting delegation of the Iranian Foreign Ministry on the occasion of his birthday. The floral basket and gift were handed to Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun by Iranian vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohsen Aminzadeh who is heading the delegation.
Kim Yong Nam meets delegation of Iranian Foreign Ministry
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today met and conversed with a delegation of the Iranian Foreign Ministry led by vice-Minister Mohsen Aminzadeh on a visit to Korea at the Mansudae Assembly Hall. Present were Pak Tong Chun, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mohammad Ganjidoost, Iranian ambassador to Korea. The head of the delegation said with pleasure that under the wise guidance of General Secretary Kim Jong Il the Korean people achieved successes, without yielding to the imperialists' pressure and blockade and natural disasters.