2nd session of 10th SPA to be convened
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- The presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) issued a decree on convening the SPA. According to the decree dated March 17, the 2nd session of the 10th SPA is to be called here on April 7, Juche 88 (1999).
4th DPRK-U.S. underground facility negotiations
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK, answering a question put by KCNA in the wake of the recent 4th underground facility negotiations between the DPRK and the U.S. in New York, said as follows: The DPRK and the U.S. had the 4th round of the underground facility negotiations in New York from February 27 to March 16 at which both sides reached an agreement on a series of issues. The negotiations came in response to the U.S. "suspicion" that the construction of an underground nuclear facility might be in progress in Kumchang-ri, Taegwan county, North Phyongan Province of Korea.
As already known, ever since the adoption of the framework agreement between the two countries the DPRK has sincerely discharged its obligation of nuclear freezing under the agreement. We do not bother to conceal the fact that in the light of the acute military situation prevailing in our country which is technically at war with the U.S. we build all sensitive important objects underground in different parts of the country. The underground facility whose construction is now in progress in Kumchang-ri is one of them. It is a non-nuclear facility from A to Z.
However, the U.S. is engaged in groundless anti-DPRK diatribe, saying that there is "information" on the building of an underground nuclear facility and so it is necessary to "inspect" the facility. It goes so far as to claim that the DPRK is secretly violating the agreement. Its slander is a dirty propaganda ploy to flee from the responsibility for failure to discharge its obligation under the agreement and incriminate the DPRK. So, it is a grave insult to the dignity of the DPRK.
The U.S. is calling for "inspection" of the underground facility of the DPRK, its belligerent party, just as it did against other countries. The loudmouthed "inspection" cannot be allowed at all because it is a wanton violation of the sovereignty and security of the DPRK and if the U.S. really wants to have the "suspicion" cleared it should make due political and economic compensation for having tarnished the image of the DPRK under the eyes of the world through dirty anti-DPRK diatribe. It is the stand of principle consistently maintained by the DPRK.
At the recent negotiations the U.S. side acknowledged the validity of the stand and promised to meet the demands of the DPRK. In this regard the DPRK side decided to permit an on-site visit to the object under construction in Kumchang-ri by a U.S. delegation, which is not in response to its demand for "inspection," but at the invitation of the DPRK. There was a sufficient debate on and agreement on the payment of the "inspection fee." The U.S., though belatedly, admitted that its behaviour was wrong and decided to adopt politico-economic measures as demanded by the DPRK. For the U.S. it is a good thing.
The DPRK made it clear that it will take a determined countermeasure if the U.S. raises "suspicion" of any other object. What has been agreed upon at the recent negotiations still remains on a sheet of paper. Whether it is put into practice or not depends entirely upon whether the U.S. side keeps its promise or not.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from Russian delegation
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the delegation of the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation on a visit to Korea. Vice-Minister Grigory Karasin, who is leading the delegation, conveyed the gift to Foreign Minister of the DPRK Paek Nam Sun on Wednesday.
Russian ambassador gives reception
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- Valery Denisov, Russian ambassador to Korea, gave a reception at the embassy on Wednesday on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the agreement on the economic and cultural cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation. Invited to the reception were Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Ri In Gyu, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri Song Ho, chairman of the Korea-Russia Friendship Association, and other officials concerned. Present there were the delegation of the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation led by vice-Minister Grigory Karasin and officials of the Russian embassy. Speeches were made at the reception.
Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il praised by Indian figure
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung is the savior of humankind, who lightened the road for the world to follow with his great ideas. Vishwanath, secretary general of the "International Kim Il Sung Prize" Council and secretary general of the Juche Idea Study Society of India, said this at a session where he gave his impressions of meetings with President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il and renewed his resolution on March 13 with the approach of Sun's Day.
The Juche idea founded by President Kim Il Sung brought about an epochal change in carving out destiny of humankind as well as the Korean people, he said, and went on: I believe that this great idea is the immortal guiding idea, which guarantees progress, prosperity and happiness for humankind not only in the 20th century but also in the new millennium. His excellency the respected Kim Jong Il is the living image of President Kim Il Sung. My family will as ever worship Kim Jong Il and do its best for victory of the great Juche idea exalted by him.
Scientific achievements of world-wide significance
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- Some 100 scientific and technological achievements of world-wide significance have been made by scientists and technicians of Korea in recent years. They successfully launched satellite "Kwangmyongsong 1", the first of its kind in Korea, and produced an electron microscope of 300,000 magnifications. Signal successes have been registered in electronics, bioengineering, heat engineering and other sector despite difficulties.
Scientists and technicians in the field of electronics succeeded in finding solutions to 20 scientific and technological problems of world-wide significance. Keeping pace with modern scientific and technological trends, they successfully produced a variety of devices for automation of production processes and robot control, integrated circuits for color TV, and solar batteries of world's standards, thus greatly contributing to the development of the Juche-based electronic industry.
Signal successes have been registered in software production such as complicated scientific and technological calculation programs and programs for automatic designing and manufacturing process as well as applied programs for various domains of the national economy with the result that the nation's science and technology has been placed on a higher level. The field of bioengineering has reported more than 30 scientific research achievements which are of weighty significance in developing cell engineering and gene engineering while that of heat engineering has given solutions to scientific and technological problems in developing and operating advanced large-sized boilers.
The latest spectacular scientific and technological achievements include new science and technology related to prospecting underground resources and producing special machine parts developed in the domains of mining and metal industries, development of new electronic and other materials and variety of catalyzes of world-wide significance. Signal scientific achievements have also been registered in other fields.
Formation of women's riot police in S. Korea
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today comes out with a signed commentary on the recent formation of a women's riot police in South Korea. The news analyst of the paper says: The South Korean authorities formed a women's riot police to put methods and devices of man-hunting on a more intellectual basis. They plan to hurl policewomen in traffic officer's uniform into venues of demonstrations so as to give people the impression that their mission is to maintain "traffic order", not cracking down upon demonstrations.
This is an ample evidence that they are utterly hell-bent on man-hunting. In the last one year alone, the self-proclaimed "government for the people" fired barrages of tear gas bombs at the people, or almost 40 times that launched in the similar period of the former "civilian"-veiled dictatorship. Worse still, in this period, many people have been thrown behind bars as prisoners of conscience. Their number is 4.6 times as many as those detained in the one year after the "civilian"-veiled regime appeared.
While brutally suppressing people almost every day, the present South Korean rulers felt acute shortage of policemen although their number is huge. So, they went the length of setting up a policewomen's unit. On March 6, they called out a large number of policewomen to crack down upon an inaugural ceremony of an emergency measure committee of the Trade Union of the Dae Woo Electronics Co. Ltd. held at Jongmyo Park in Seoul. They are now employing all conceivable repressive means to block the people from turning out in struggles for democracy and vital rights.
In forming the women's riot police, the South Korean authorities seek to hurl policewomen in traffic officer's uniform into venues of demonstrations so as to give impressions that the intensity of crackdown upon demonstrations is worn down. They also seek to commit an indiscriminate suppressive campaign against demonstrators all at once with a large number of riot policemen awaiting for an order for action in nearby areas.
Planned lecture by Japanese Prime Minister rejected
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- The General Student Council of Korea University declared it would stage a demonstration in protest against the lecture to be given at the university by the Japanese Prime Minister, who is coming to South Korea on March 19, a Seoul-based radio said. The council is adamantly opposing his planned lecture, maintaining that "new South Korea-Japan relations in the 21st century are unimaginable apart from the latter's repentance and apology for its past.
Preparatory committee formed in Malta
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- A meeting for the formation of the Maltese preparatory committee to commemorate Sun's Day was held in Valletta on March 10 on the occasion of the 87th birthday of the President Kim Il Sung. General secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of Malta was elected chairman of the committee. Discussed at the meeting was an issue of organizing colorful functions including a commemoration meeting, lecture meeting and forum on the occasion of Sun's Day.
Fundamental revision of "Aliens Registration Law" demanded
Tokyo, March 16 (KNS-KCNA) -- The Japanese government decided an "amendment to the Aliens Registration Law" at a cabinet meeting. In this connection, representatives of Chongryon (General Association of Korean Residents in Japan) called at the Japanese Ministry of Justice on Thursday, demanding the fundamental revision of the "law."
The visitors delivered a written request addressed to the minister, which called for the repeal of the systems of compulsory constant carrying of "registration cards," judicial discipline against "breakers of the registration law" and renewed "registration." the request also demanded advancement of the age of those subjected to compulsory constant carrying. The Japanese government's "amendment," which still retains the basic nature of the law against Korean residents, is far from public opinion within and without calling for a fundamental revision, they said.
The "registration law" is giving rise to various forms of national discrimination against Korean residents, they pointed out, saying this discriminatory law should be revised for the younger generation.
Merger of public sector unions under KCTU in S. Korea
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- 3 public sector trade unions under the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) reportedly held a meeting of deputies in Seoul on Mar. 13 and declared their merger as one body called "National Federation of Public Transport and Service Trade Unions." among them were the federation of public sector trade unions. The merged federation is the 2nd largest organization under the KCTU, which has 109 unions and more than 100000 unionists. The KCTU announced that it will continue reorganizing trade unions of different industrial sectors and struggle against the "restructuring" of the authorities with the merged federation as center.
Talented children
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- remarkable talents of pupils and children are in full bloom under the State and Public Care of Korea. Some time ago General Secretary Kim Jong Il read letters presented by schoolchildren of rare talents and sent to them autographs saying "I want you to be a wonderful master of percussion instrument. February 10, 1999. Kim Jong Il" and "Excellent February 10, 1999. Kim Jong Il," through which he wished all of them a bright future.
The state found a gift for art in a schoolboy, Hwang Kwang Myong, the youngest son of an ordinary miner in a local area and brought him to Pyongyang so that he might develop his skill at the light musical circle of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace. He presented to Kim Jong Il a letter carrying his determination to become a world percussion instrumental star in order to live up to the state's benevolence.
Schoolboys Ji Myong Hyok and Ji Jong Hyok of the Hoechang Senior Middle School in Hoechang county, South Phyongan Province, who are called "two brothers of little writers," presented to Kim Jong Il words of 5 songs of their own making and a letter. 20 pieces of their writings have already been published. 13 years old schoolgirl Choe Jin Ok who is called "little girl composer", composed 80 pieces of music in a little more than 2 years. Several songs created by her attracted keen interest of experts for their peculiar next-to-lowest musical note.
Besides, many pupils and children with gifted talents and quality have been registered. Among them are Jon Kwang Song, who worked out a collection of 2,000 mathematics questions and created 20 pieces of nursery songs and poems while attending senior middle school at the age of 6, Kim Chol Min and Kim Myong Sim, who created 80 pieces of poems at the age of 7 and Min Su Yong, Ri Sun Yong and Ri Su Hyang, who acquired knowledge of primary schoolchildren at the ages of 3 and 4.
A social campaign is now underway to find out and bring up children of outstanding talents. Those children whose distinguished quality and talents had been recognized during their nursery and kindergarten days are educated under the care of experts and teachers specializing in respective fields. Every condition is provided for emotional and intellectual development of children throughout the country. Korea boasts nearly 150 schoolchildren's palaces and schoolchildren's halls and other extramural educational centers.
Newly developed Koryo medicines
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- The scientists and technicians of the Korea Koryo Medicine Technology Center have recently registered signal achievements in the development of traditional medicines. They have developed much medicines for treating troubles in internal organs and cardiovascular system in reliance on locally available medicinal resources and are making arrangements to introduce them into Koryo medicine factories across the country for mass production. Among them are "Cornoid Tablet" with dogberry seed as the main composite, "Baeka Zisa Tablet", a composition of bentonite and husk of poppy seed and other remedies for acute diarrhea and colitis. Especially, nutria-enzyme tablets made of starch dissolution enzyme are efficacious for acute enteritis and colitis and diarrhea of children.
There have been also developed "Dosym Tablet" (heart medicine), a composition of toad poison, peach leave and other materials, Ryongmyo Gusym Hwan, Ryongmyo Angung Uwang Hwan and other remedies for the treatment of troubles in cardiovascular system the main composite of which is musk extracted by a new method. Besides, "Hogan Tablet" and "Gon Sam Tablet" have been developed. The former, a preventive and curative medicine of hepatitis, is efficacious for revival of liver cell and the latter is good for psoriasis, an obstinate disease.
The center was founded in Juche 81 (1992). It is a Center of Traditional Medical Science and Technology and their exchange. It develops new Koryo medicines, carries out trial production, makes researches into modernisation of production process and gives technological guidance over hundreds of Koryo medicine factories throughout the country. It also conducts scientific and technological exchange and joint venture for development of natural resources with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the World Health Organization, China, Russia, India and other countries and export of Koryo medicine.
Odious sycophantic treachery under fire
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- Some time ago, the South Korean authorities decided to offer 339 million dollars for the upkeep of the U.S. aggression forces present in South Korea this year under the "agreement on defense cost sharing" which had been railroaded through the "National Assembly."
Minju Joson today describes the decision as one more odious sycophantic treachery, clear evidence of the traitorous nature of the South Korean authorities. The news analyst says: The self-styled "government for the people," arguing about the continued U.S. military presence in South Korea even after the reunification of Korea, is offering the aggressor forces land and facilities for the military presence free of charge and paying more money as "defense cost sharing" than its predecessors.
It is a herd of rare traitors and arch pro-American sycophants who are clean indifferent to the dignity and interests of the nation. By spending the "state funds" collected from the people through taxes on the upkeep of the yankees it tries to keep the aggressor forces' permanent presence, maintain its power and realise its wild ambition for northward invasion with their backing.
Silk Road tourism in Korea
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- The development of a UNESCO-and the Silk Road Promotion Committee of the World Tourist Organization-sponsored Silk Road tourist program is now under way in the DPRK. The name of Silk Road is derived from the old route of trade and cultural interchange linking the east and west through central Asia.
From Kojoson (ancient Korea) to Koryo (a feudal Kingdom of Korea), Korean silk, Insam (ginseng) and Koryo celadon made their way to other countries through this route. Tangun's Korea (Kojoson) was the first producer of silk in the world. The periods from the 10th to the 13th century witnessed the highest prosperity of trade through the Silk Road in Korea. The route of the Silk Road tourism covers Pyongyang, Kaesong, and Mt. Myohyang. Tourists will see historical relics from Kojoson and Koguryo to Koryo and the manufacturing of silk and Koryo Celadon and Insam cultivation.
The tourist itinerary is as follows: Pyongyang: The mausoleum of King Tangun, the Korean History Museum, the Korean Folklore Museum, the tomb murals in Kangso, the Mansudae Art Studio, the mausoleum of King Tongmyong, the site of ovens for Koryo Celadon in Wonsan-ri, South Hwanghae Province. Kaesong: The Koryo Museum, the mausoleum of King Wanggon, Pyokrando Port along the River Ryesong, the plots under cultivation of Kaesong Koryo Insam. Mt. Myohyang: Pohyon Temple, Tangun Temple, Tangun cavern, relics related to saint Sosan.
NDFSK will frustrate anti-north smear campaign
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) published a commentary on March 16, said Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation. Recalling that the Kim Dae Jung group recently got Hwang Jang Yop, who defected to the south from the north to rig up an organisation dubbed "fellowship society of defectors from the north," the commentary said: The South Korean people from all walks of life have already strongly denounced the ill-intentioned plot of the authorities to frame up a venal organisation with defectors from the north for the purpose of using it for their sinister anti-north smear campaign.
Nevertheless, the Kim Dae Jung group finally cooked up the "fellowship society of defectors from the north." This is one more unpardonable anti-north, anti-national crime of challenging the aspirations of the South Korean people and all other Koreans for reconciliation between the north and the south and the reunification of the country. The organization with the traitor Hwang Jang Yop, the common enemy of the north and the south, as its "Honorary Chairman" is nothing but a waiting maid and authority of the government authorities, which is composed of traitors to the nation and criminals.
The organization is intended to use defectors for vicious anti-north, anti-reunification confrontation moves and, at the same time, mitigate complaint, discontent and protest which are growing stronger among defectors from the north. As soon as they set their foot on this land, defectors are taken to the central joint investigation office, the "National Intelligence Service" (NIS) and other repressive institutions where they are treated like animals and put to all sorts of torture including the beating by clubs, thus becoming mental and physical cripples. They are also placed under constant shadowing and watch. Besides, unable to eke out their existence with a meager amount of money for settlement, they attempt to flee to other countries only to be captured and jailed again or commit suicide.
Worse still, they are reduced to robbers, thieves and murderers while living a degenerate life, snubbed by people as "traitors to the country" and "scum who ran away, leaving their family members behind. An increasing number of defectors from the north lodge lawsuits or protests with the authorities against inhuman treatment and contempt they receive upon setting their foot on South Korea after being allured or kidnapped by intelligence agents. In the last-ditch effort to bring such movements of defectors, a new troublesome problem, under control and tame them, the Kim Dae Jung group cooked up the fellowship society with the traitor Hwang and other defectors.
With the formation of such an organization, however, it cannot placate extreme anti-government feelings of defectors nor conceal the fact that South Korea is a veritable hell where people cannot live. Its anti-north confrontation move aimed at using defectors for its sinister political purpose will only worsen the deadlocked inter-Korean relations and aggravate tensions. By rigging up the "fellowship society of defectors from the north" which no preceding dictators dared to do, the Kim Dae Jung group glaringly revealed its anti-national, anti-reunification nature again to the whole world.
If the Kim Dae Jung regime persists in anti-north plots and confrontation rackets by using defectors from the north as venal trumpeters, it will be branded as anti-reunification fanatics worse than the preceding dictators and be thrown into the dustbin of history. The defectors should daringly fight against Chongwadae and the NIS, groups of trick plotters who have driven them into such a miserable plight today. At the same time, they should finish off the traitor Hwang, who is pushing them to commit more serious crimes against the country as dirty stooges of the government authorities.
Our NDFSK, together with the patriotic people from all walks of life, will certainly shatter provocative anti-north smear campaign of the Kim Dae Jung group going against inter-Korean reconciliation, unity and reunification.
Greetings to Namibian President
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on March 17 sent a message of greetings to Sam Nujoma, President of Namibia, on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of its independence. The message took this opportunity to express the belief that the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation existing between the two countries would be strengthened and developed on better terms, and wholeheartedly wished the President and people of Namibia great success in the work for the country's peace, prosperity and development.
South African ambassador presents credentials
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- C. Endodebandla Dlamini, newly appointed Ambassador E.P. of South Africa to the DPRK, presented his credentials to Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Greetings to foreign prime ministers
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the cabinet of the DPRK sent messages of greetings to Abdul Rauf al-Rawabidah on his appointment as Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and to Lester Bryant Bird on his resumption of office as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. The messages wished them successes in their work and expressed the belief that bilateral friendly and cooperative relations would continue to develop on good terms.