Campaign for revision of "NSL" and human rights
Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- The South Korea chapter of the Amnesty International reportedly announced on Wednesday that it would launch a campaign for revision of the "National Security Law" and improvement of human rights in South Korea. This campaign will be conducted in cooperation with 120 regional chapters of the organization across the world in order to improve overall human rights situation in South Korea. Those chapters will also wage protest demonstrations and street propaganda activities in front of South Korean missions and continue the signature campaign, said the report.
Japanese Prime Minister's South Korea visit rejected
Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- The joint measure committee for ensuring vital rights of people and release of prisoners of conscience called a press conference in Seoul on March 19 and expressed opposition to the South Korean visit of the Japanese Prime Minister, a Seoul-based report said. Without Japan's repentance and apology for its past its militarist ghost cannot but revive, the committee said, urging the Japanese Prime Minister to make an official apology and sincere compensation to "comfort women for the Japanese army" prior to his visit to South Korea.
At the end of the press conference, the members of the committee went to the Japanese embassy in Seoul and handed a protest letter to it. On the same day, the General Student Council of Korea University held its executive committee meeting at which they once again vowed to foil the lecture to be given by the Japanese Prime Minister at the university. In another development, a group of students were arrested by police when they attempted to hang at the south gate a placard bearing letters "We oppose Japanese Prime Minister Obuchi's South Korea visit".
Japanese reactionary's anti-DPRK blast flayed
Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Hayashi, who was leading a Japanese delegation to a regional disarmament meeting, reportedly made provocative remarks against the DPRK on March 18. Asserting that "security situation in Northeast Asia has been worsened", he attributed this to "the DPRK's missile launch" and "suspected nuclear facility." He said the DPRK's launch of a satellite proves that North Korea is possessed of a vehicle capable of carrying mass destruction weapons and the "launch has posed a direct threat to the security of Japan", thus revealing its ulterior intention to stifle the DPRK. This is a manifestation of the Japanese reactionary's invariable policy hostile to the DPRK and no more than a gimmick to justify their move to become a military power.
Tongue-wagging of pro-Japanese stooge
Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA)-- The chief presidential secretary for Foreign Affairs and security of "Chongwadae" said on March 16 as regards the planned South Korea visit of the Japanese "Emperor" that "our position on welcoming the Japanese Emperor any time is clear provided arrangements are completed by the Japanese side," according to the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun March 17 quoting an article dispatched from Seoul.
His remarks came prior to the Japanese Prime Minister's tour of South Korea. The South Korean chief executive, kowtowing to the "Emperor" when the former was on a visit to Japan last year, shamelessly whitewashed the history of crimes committed by Japan against the Korean people in the past and even "invited" the latter to South Korea, thus revealing his pro-Japanese flunkeyist nature. Such an anti-national crime has sparked bitter indignation of the South Korean people. Nevertheless, the South Korean ruling quarters are working hard to make the "Emperor's" visit a reality.
Repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners urged
Tokyo, March 19 (KNS-KCNA) -- The 18th Meeting of the Council for the Repatriation of Unconverted Long-Term Prisoners in South Korea was held in Tokyo on Tuesday. The meeting expressed the stand to fully support and carry into practice the proposal of the DPRK joint meeting. It also discussed and decided on measures for strongly urging the South Korean authorities to send old Kim In So, Ham Se Hwan, Kim Yong Thae and other unconverted long-term prisoners back to the north immediately without conditions and activating the work to build up public opinion within and without.
Namibian Independence Day observed
Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today dedicates an article to the Independence Day of Namibia. The Namibian people achieved the country's independence, their long-cherished desire, by proclaiming the republic of Namibia on March 21, 1990, the paper says, and goes on: They have made enormous efforts to develop the national economy under the leadership of President Sam Nujoma. They laid it down as a principle governing economic development to place the people's interests above all and strengthen cooperation with various countries. Their desire to eliminate colonial leftover and build a new prosperous society will certainly come true.
U.S. anti-Cuba campaign under fire
Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Papers here today carry commentaries denouncing the United States for its intensified anti-Cuba campaign in the wake of Cuba's sentencing to prison 4 counterrevolutionaries for anti-state activities. Rodong Sinmun says: These criminals stirred up rebellion at home, supported U.S. blockade on Cuba and opposed foreign enterprises' investment in Cuba.
The United States, however, is making a fuss, saying the trial was indicative of Cuba's violation of human rights and suppression of dissidents. This tells the human rights issue has been abused as a lever for interference in internal affairs of other countries= it is a prelude to a new anti-Cuba move. The United States seeks a sinister purpose in launching anti-Cuba campaign slandering the trial in Cuba as a "violation of human rights". By doing so it seeks to encourage the counterrevolutionary forces in Cuba in their destabilization activities under the cloak of "human rights" and thus strangulate the Cuban revolution.
Another aim of the U.S. is to pass a new anti-Cuba resolution through the forthcoming 55th meeting of the UN commission on human rights in Geneva in a bid to recover its past defeat. Such attempt of the U.S. is an anachronistic move going against the trend of the time. No matter how desperately the United States may undertake anti-Cuba campaign over human rights, no one will lend an ear to it. Minju Joson says only international shame and isolation will await the United States that is raising a hue and cry over "human rights".
World Water Day observed
Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today dedicates an article to the World Water Day on March 22. The water problem is one of the most serious issues in the world, the paper says, and goes on: The explosive growth of the population in this century needs increased supply of water, but water resource is extremely limited. Many people of the world suffer from an acute shortage of drinking water, infected with diseases and lose their lives owing to dirty water. Under this situation many countries around the world are striving to elevate public awareness about water and to conserve and manage water resources. Diverse events are now underway at the UN and in different countries to mark the 7th World Water Day.
Unjustifiable behaviour
Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Papers here today come out with signed commentaries condemning the South Korean rulers for their base act of blocking the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners of the north origin including Kim In So, Ham Se Hwan and Kim Yong Thae.
The chief executive of South Korea at a recent "press conference" and in a "special statement" said unconverted long-term prisoners of the north origin should "be exchanged" with "POWs and those kidnapped by the north". The South Korean authorities plan to bring it to the meeting of the UN commission on human rights to be held soon in Geneva. They went so far as to let the Red Cross send to international human rights organizations a "letter" requesting them to render cooperation in the "repatriation" of "POWs and those kidnapped by the north", asserting there are hundreds of them in the north.
Rodong Sinmun in a commentary titled "Unjustifiable behaviour" observes such behaviour of the South Korean rulers is a new intrigue and a far-fetched assertion intended to refuse the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners. It continues: There are in the North Korea no "POWs and no one kidnapped by the north" loud-mouthed by the South Korean rulers. There are only those who supported the DPRK and voluntarily came over to it to become its citizens. None of them expressed their will to go back to South Korea. It is preposterous for the South Korean rulers to propose to "exchange" those who are willing to return to the north where their families live with those who do not wish to go back to South Korea as they enjoy a worthy life with their families in the socialist society. This is unjustifiable both from the humanitarian point of view and in view of International Law.
Minju Joson in a commentary titled "Sheer sophism to evade repatriation" says: The South Korean rulers pretend to be interested in the humanitarian issue, talking about "exchange", but no one will be taken in by it. If they continue refusing the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners with this unreasonable sophism, they will face a stern judgement of the nation.