Preparatory committees formed abroad
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- A national preparatory committee for commemorating Sun's Day was formed in Nepal on the occasion of the 87th birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung. The meeting discussed a program of colorful functions to be held around Sun's Day. A letter to General Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting. Meanwhile, a national preparatory committee for commemorating Sun's Day was also inaugurated in Guinea.
50th anniversary of signing of Korea-Russia agreement marked
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- A film show was given here on Thursday 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 film show were Russian ambassador to Korea Valery Denisov and embassy officials. Present there were Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Kim Pong Ik, vice-Minister of Foreign Trade, Ri Song Ho, chairman of the Korea-Russia Friendship Association, officials concerned and citizens. They looked round pictures showing successes in the work to develop the friendly relations between the two countries before seeing a film.
17th April Spring Friendship Art Festival to be held
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- the 17th April Spring Friendship Art Festival will be held in grand style in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, on the occasion of Sun's Day. The festival will be participated in by over 80 famous art troupes and circuses consisting of international and national concours winners and famous artists from more than 40 countries and overseas Koreans' art troupes and the Korean Art Troupe. Colorful pieces including music, dance, instrumental music, acrobatics will be put on the festival stage. The festival will impressively represent deep reverence of all the people for the President Kim Il Sung who opened a new era of independence and performed immortal exploits for global independence. It will also contribute to consolidating and developing friendship and solidarity, cultural exchange and cooperation among peoples and men of culture and art of different countries in the idea of independence, peace and friendship.
Anniversary of DPRK-Morocco diplomatic relations marked
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA)-- Messages of greetings were exchanged between DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco Abdellatif Filali on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The messages expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Morocco will expand and develop in different domains of politics, economy and culture in conformity with the desire and interests of the two peoples.
"Restructuring" rejected in S. Korea
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- More than 2,000 trade union members of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corp. On Tuesday held a meeting against the "restructuring" enforced by the South Korean authorities, a Seoul-based radio reported. They demanded talks with the authorities for ensuring vital rights of workers and declared they would wage a work-to-rule struggle. The authorities and the corporation were trying to dismiss about 2,000 under the cloak of "restructuring," sparking anger protest from the unionists.
Resolute step of Democratic Congo's government hailed
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- We support the measure taken by the government of Democratic Congo against the spy case, considering it to be a justifiable one to reject the unjust intervention in internal affairs by foreign forces and defend the dignity and sovereignty of the country. This was stated by the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in an answer given to the question put by KCNA today with respect to the government of Democratic Congo's recent expelling of American and British spies active in the country.
The spokesman said: The case reported in Democratic Congo is one of the numerous cases of crime committed by the United States and western countries while undisguisedly interfering in the internal affairs of the country for a long time, including the Assassination of Lumumba, the first prime minister of the country, in the 1960s. It is a hackneyed method of the United States to interfere in other's internal affairs under the cloak of "peaceful settlement" after brewing disputes in those countries that challenge their domination and arbitrary practices in Africa and other parts of the world and resort to espionage and terrorism to topple sovereign governments.
U.S. espionage and subversive activities and arms build-up intended to stifle the socialist system in the DPRK are getting more undisguised on the Korean peninsula. The case of espionage in Democratic Congo clearly illustrates that the United States is, indeed, an arrogant and shameless disturber and wrecker of peace.
Peddling of "sunshine policy" prompted by megalomania
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- The South Korean chief executive, at a TV forum during his election campaign asserted that he had " confidence and plan to radically improve the south-north relations in one year if he would come to power." By the "plan" he meant the "sunshine policy". Last July a high-ranking South Korean official said that the "sunshine policy" was aimed at making the north take off its overcoat in all aspects of society, economy and military by providing it with rays and heat and "this was the way of overpowering the north without fighting by luring the north to changes, while maintaining a strong security posture."
Some time ago, the South Korean chief executive let loose balderdash at a recent press conference on the first anniversary of the assumption of his office that the "sunshine policy" was a replica of the U.S. policy whereby it destroyed the former socialist countries and led them to "reform and opening". The "sunshine policy" means, in essence, "inducing" the north to carry out "reform and opening" through so-called "reconciliation and cooperation". The South Korean authority's talk about "sunshine" allegedly to give rays and heat to the North Korea was prompted by megalomania into which they fell, oblivious of their position.
Are there in South Korea under the so-called "government for the people", any ray for others or any chance to embrace others? The successive "presidents" in South Korea, a colony of the United States for over a half century, have been installed with the consent of the White House and the prerogative of supreme command over the army is in the hands of Pentagon. The economy has come under the trusteeship of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and culture has been infected with western and Japanese way of life. It is as clear as noonday that there can be neither a ray of independence nor a chance of democracy and benevolence in such a colony. What remains in South Korea is nothing but trampled-down sovereignty and democracy, abject poverty, endless bankruptcy of enterprises, a huge army of the unemployed and unceasing suicides.
Prisoners of conscience, who are subjected to torture and appeasement, are yearning for a ray of freedom and those wanted, who are under constant surveillance and pursuit, are desirous of rays of democracy. It is preposterous, indeed, for this "government" which is not in a position to deal with its own business to talk about offering rays and heat to the North Korea. The South Korean chief executive should be accountable to the nation for having misled public opinion at home and abroad by peddling the "sunshine policy" which brought disappointment to the fellow countrymen earnestly desirous of reunification. We state once again that any policy contrary to the three principles of national reunification does not go down with us. The South Korean chief executive should discard the dream of "sunshine policy" opposed to the nation and reunification.
Treacherous move to obliterate Korean language under fire
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Linguistic Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences of the DPRK made public a statement on March 18 denouncing the South Korean rulers for their recent announcement of the "policy on combined use of Chinese characters." He said: The South Korean authorities, succumbing to the pressure of the Japanese reactionaries, declared "combined use of Chinese characters" as a policy which calls for using both Korean and Chinese characters in "official documents" and on road indicators. This is an intolerable treacherous act of negating history of the nation and obliterating the Korean language.
The present South Korean rulers, not content with flinging South Korea open to Japanese culture and selling off territory and territorial waters of the country to Japan, accepted even the demands of the Japanese reactionaries for "combined use of Chinese characters". This clearly shows once again that they are pro-Japanese traitors worse than the "Five Traitors of 1905" who sold off the country in the past.
All the linguists in the North Korea brand the South Korean rulers who are trying to trade off the Juche and national characters of the language, to say nothing of the dignity and sovereignty of the nation, and obliterate the nation for the maintenance of power and personal comfort, as a group of heinous traitors and bitterly condemn them. If the South Korean rulers persist in their treacherous acts of selling off the dignity and interest of the country and the nation, they will face a stern judgement of history.
S. Korean "prime minister's" talk about "dialogue" flailed
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- South Korean "prime minister" Kim Jong Pil in a recent "lecture" given at invitation urged the north to "open the door for dialogue in order to prevent the tragedy of the nation and pave the way for peaceful coexistence" and said that the "policy of engagement with the north is the most realistic counter proposal which will promote peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and improve inter-Korean relations." Commenting on his outbursts, a news analyst of Rodong Sinmun today says: His urge to open the door for dialogue is nothing but an artifice to shift the responsibility for the deadlocked inter-Korean dialogue onto the other side and conceal the criminal nature of the South Korean authorities as the war hawks and separatists inciting confrontation with the north.
It is the stand of the DPRK that if the South Korean authorities take the road of national reconciliation and unity under the banner of national independence, it will hold dialogues with them any time. Recently alone, a joint meeting of the government, political parties and organisations in the DPRK, reflecting the pressing situation prevailing on the Korean peninsula and the ardent desire of the entire nation for reunification, offered the South Korean authorities an important proposal for holding wide-ranging dialogues between the north and the south.
Nevertheless, the South Korean authorities are persisting in their anti-north confrontation and war policy while paying lip service to "dialogue." Do they have the face to talk about dialogues with the north when they defined the partner of dialogue and reunification as the "principal enemy" and are inciting a fever of confrontation and war against the north? What is all the more ridiculous is Kim Jong Pil's utterances that the "policy of engagement with the north is a realistic counter proposal for the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and improved relations between the north and the south."
Their "policy of engagement with the north" means to "induce" the north to capitalism through "reconciliation and cooperation." accordingly, it is an anti-north confrontation policy aimed at negating the ideology and system of the north and unifying the country through "northward invasion." If inter-Korean relations are to be improved, the danger of war to be removed and the door to genuine dialogue for reunification to be opened, such anti-communist confrontation fanatics and enemy of reunification as Kim Jong Pil must be thrown into the dustbin of history.
KCNA on U.S. ill-intentioned false propaganda
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- After the U.S. fiction about China's "transfer of missile technology" to the DPRK was resolutely rejected, some mass media and conservative hard-liners of the United States are these days floating the rumor that the DPRK intends to "introduce nuclear technology" from Japan and Pakistan. This is a whopping lie which was invented out of an ulterior intention to charge the DPRK with violating the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework at any cost and put pressure upon it.
As was proved by the successful launch of its first satellite last year, the DPRK's science and technology have laid solid foundations of the Juche-based and self-supporting industry capable of manufacturing anything if necessary. Those who spread rumors need to know about this. They should also bear in mind that the DPRK's consistent anti-nuke and peaceloving stand has been widely known to the world. Accordingly, their talk about "the DPRK's introduction of nuclear technology" from other countries is a foolish attempt to discount the scientific and technological achievements and level of the DPRK and an expression of their arrogant stand that only the United States can monopolize scientific and technical progress of humankind.
Through such a false propaganda campaign, they seek to link the DPRK with the issue of developing nuclear weapons. This is a dastardly act intended to hurt the DPRK, which has consistently maintained the policy of denuclearising the Korean peninsula and building a nuclear-free world and a sort of provocation aimed at breaking the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework. The United States must ponder over the consequences to be entailed by such a provocative smear campaign and clarify its stand toward the implementation of the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework.
Treaty between DPRK and Russia initialed
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- A treaty of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation was initialed in Pyongyang on March 17. It was signed by vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Ri In Gyu and vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Grigory Karasin.
Kangwon Province, Korea, changes beyond recognition
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- A world-startling change has taken place in Kangwon Province in the central eastern part of Korea. Small plots, 30 Phyong or 40 Phyong each (1 Phyong = 6 feet square) in valleys have been repartitioned to be a vast plain. Tens of thousands of hectares of paddy and non-paddy fields have been rezoned into fields, 800 Phyong and 1,000 Phyong each to suit mechanized farming.
More than 2,680 irrigation and drainage channels and various structures will be made. Ridges between paddy fields were removed and water channels straightened to put a large area of land under cultivation. Roads stretch out crosswise at 500 metre intervals in favour of mechanization of farm work. The successful completion of the land rezoning in the province in a matter of several months, which had been considered hardly possible for centuries, demonstrates the indomitable spirit of the Korean people who are out in the building of a powerful nation.
This epoch-making change in the province is a shining fruition of the far-reaching plan of General Secretary Kim Jong Il. On his way to frontline inspection one day last year he called a conference of officials concerned on a mountainous road and gave them highly important instructions to set a good example in land rezoning in the province and let the whole country follow it, saying if the land of the province is rezoned, a large area of land can be brought under the plough and agricultural production can be increased remarkably.
Saying the land rezoning should be undertaken in a big and bold way so that it may remain flawless in a distant future, he fixed even the scale of land rezoning suited to topographical conditions and steered the gigantic nature-harnessing project. Servicemen of the Korean People's Army, shock brigade members from all provinces and working people from all walks of life in Kangwon Province were out to carry out the project for the eternal prosperity and development of the country.
Though hard pressed for everything, they set an example in land rezoning through fortitude, flattening hills and diverting the flow of rivers. Preparations for farming are in full swing on the rezoned fields. All the officials and agricultural workers in the province are working hard to turn the plain into a fertile land so as to bring in a good harvest from the first year of the great change.
New advance in the movement called for
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Japan mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) issued a statement on Tuesday in regard to the enlarged meeting of the presidium of the c. c., the NDFSK held in Seoul. The statement said that the NDFSK will make a new advance in the movement for independence, democracy and reunification this year which marks its 30th founding anniversary.
It went on: The NDFSK and patriotic people of different social strata have brilliantly decorated the history of the people's movement through the struggle for independence and democracy against the U.S. and fascism for 30 years and the movement for independence, democracy and reunification has embarked upon a new development. The cause of NDFSK, which advances along the road of independence, democracy and reunification holding aloft the banner of Juche under the guidance of the respected Marshal Kim Jong Il, will surely win victory, it noted, adding: We will bring about a new turning phase in the National Democratic Movement this year.
Unique method of producing baking soda
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- Korean scientists and technicians created a new effective method of producing baking soda with less labor. They succeeded in making the baking soda production easy through the use of dust from cement kilns as the country is suffering from the shortage of electricity and most of chemical factories are not in proper operation due to economic difficulties in recent years. Previously, the production of baking soda depended on the ammonia industry. Potassium carbonate is collected from the dust of kilns and put in water before salt treatment and blowing of low-pressure carbonic acid gas into it. Then, its reaction produces crystals of soda. When they are filtered, medicinal and edible soda is obtainable. Crystals of potassium chloride can also be made when the filtered liquid is concentrated and cooled. In this way, potassium chloride urgently needed for medical science is produced. This method is attracting attention of experts for its positive role in preventing environmental pollution.
Minju Joson on Japan's "peace diplomacy"
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today says "peace diplomacy" pursued by the present Japanese government is just like selling dog's tail, while displaying sheep's head. In a commentary the daily says: Japan's "peace diplomacy" comes not from "concern" for global peace and security but from a sinister intention to cover up its efforts to realise its invariable ambition for nuclear power. Now Japan is desperately trying to become a nuclear giant, while peddling "peace diplomacy." this makes no contribution to global peace and security but poses great threat to them.
It is ridiculous for Japan to talk about "peace diplomacy". Impudently enough, Japan is crying that it is necessary to adopt "bills on economic sanction" in view of "threats" by the north and reflect them in its policy. Threats to the Korean peninsula and its vicinity come from the reckless military moves of the U.S. and Japanese reactionaries and the South Korean authorities to stifle the DPRK. Nevertheless, Japan is groundlessly blaming the DPRK, revealing its brazen-faced nature. Japan's double-dealing game will only bring more unbearable disgrace and isolation to it.
Rodong Sinmun on U.S. moves for arms buildup
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- The U.S. President in a recent weekly radio speech and another speech on state policy re-clarified the U.S. stand on policy designed to drastically increase military spending and the U.S. Defense Department also underscored the need for its sharp increase. Rodong Sinmun in a signed article today says these ill-intentioned remarks heard from the United States cannot but give rise to a new arms race and increase the danger of war.
The daily goes on: If the United States pursues the policy of drastically increasing military spending, other powers that vie with the U.S. for military supremacy and strategic position will follow suit and other countries will also be embroiled in it. In this sense the U.S. renewed call for arms race can be interpreted as a declaration of a second arms race and showdown of strength. The U.S. arms buildup is aimed at preparing its troops as most powerful combat forces in terms of military strength and technique in a bid to step up aggressive military actions worldwide.
By "world's highest-level equipment", "world's strongest combat forces" and "full preparedness" the United States means making its troops highly modern, mobile and efficient and always keeping them in a perfect operation posture so that they may go into actions in any areas of the world any time. The United States' call for turning its troops into the "world's strongest" combat forces with full combat posture through arms buildup hints that the U.S. military arbitrariness may get more reckless and serious in the future. The world's peaceloving people should maintain heightened vigilance against the new arms race sparked by the United States and the ensuing grave danger of war.
Planned U.S. "missile defense" system under fire
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today comes out with a signed commentary laying bare the U.S. purpose to establish a "missile defense" system. The news analyst of the paper says: The United States seeks to expand the "missile defense" system even to Europe and North America as well as East Asia including Japan and South Korea. This means to deploy new-type ultramodern weapons all over the world. The United States intends to gain an overwhelming military edge and strategic position in the world, prevent other countries from challenging the U.S., make the world follow its dictates and thus block the trend toward building a multipolar world and establish the U.S.-led unipolar world.
The U.S. plan for establishing the "missile defense" system is a flagrant violation of the Russia-U.S. Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty and a declaration of a new arms race, a missile race. It will doubtlessly severely upset the balance of strategic weapons and create a complicated structure of confrontation and a potential danger of war because the U.S. nuclear means in East Asia surrounding the Korean peninsula will be reinforced with a new missile system.
This is more glaringly proved by the fact that the United States, motivated by an intention to overpower the DPRK and its neighboring countries militarily and gratify its strategic interests, attaches priority to the establishment of the "missile defense" system in East Asia including South Korea and Japan. The world's peaceloving countries and people should not allow the United States to establish an exclusive military domination.
Woman soccer star
Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- Recently in the United States, there was a soccer match between the World's All-Star Women's Team and the U.S. National Women's Team. The world team was made up of 18 aces from different countries, including Kim Sun Hui from the DPRK. While she was a student at the Pyongyang Puksu Senior Middle School, Kim went in for sports and often finished first in school running race. After being enrolled in a team run by the school, she stood a giant among others as a sprinter. After finishing the school, she started playing football. He strong physique and nimbleness in action helped her to improve her skill quickly. Her perseverance and fortitude backed her up.
From Juche 81 (1992), she played as a back on the national team. Her stonewall defense and her overwhelming onrush in attack became the highlight of spectators and experts. She demonstrated her prowess at many international contests such as the Asian Women's Football Championships. Last year, the DPRK Women's Soccer Team was the runner-up at the 13th Asian games in Thailand, for which she played a key role. A DPRK master of sports, she is in hard training with an eye on the forthcoming world cup women's football championships scheduled for coming June in the U.S.