DPRK law on plan of national economy adopted
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- An ordinance on adopting the law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the plan of the national economy was promulgated at the 2nd session of the 10th Supreme People's Assembly.
The SPA ordinance dated on April 8 notes that a unified planning system and a detailed planning method have been established on the basis of the mass line and the ranks of planning officials and solid material and technical foundations of the planning institutions built up under the wise guidance of the President Kim Il Sung and the Worker's Party of Korea, with the result that national economic planning has been put on such a high level as to bring into full play the might of the socialist self-supporting economy.
The ordinance says the SPA adopts the law on the plan of the national economy with a view to consolidating successes scored in national economic planning and further improving the planning as required by the building of a powerful socialist nation.
Law of DPRK on plan of national economy
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The 2nd session of the 10th Supreme People's Assembly adopted a "law of the DPRK on the plan of the national economy." The law consists of 6 chapters and 48 articles. It is aimed at consolidating the successes gained in the planing of the national economy and improving and strengthening it meet new requirements for building a powerful socialist nation. It is stipulated in the law that the economy of the DPRK is a planned economy based on the socialist ownership of the means of production.
Articles of the law say: The state upgrade the national economy according to plan so as to strengthen the foundations of the independent national economy and steadily improve the standard of the people's living. It is the consistent policy of the DPRK to manage and operate the national economy under the centralized and unified guidance. The state controls the national economy in a unified way and manages and operates it according to a unified plan.
The state strives to sustain a rational balance, ensuring a high rate of growth of the national economy to meet the requirements of developing realities. It is an important principle to be adhered to in planning the national economy to map out a plan of the national economy on the basis of the discussions held with the producer masses and make the drawn plan one of their concern.
The state draw up a scientific, realistic and dynamic plan of the national economy by taking the socialist law of economy and actual conditions into full consideration, establishes iron discipline for the fulfillment of the plan and make it prove its worth in the economy.
The state work out a plan of the national economy in a unified and detailed way so as to guarantee unified and detailed planning. Laid down in the law are procedures and ways of mapping out, deliberating, endorsing and directing a plan, as well as of fulfilling and summing up it.
SPA 2nd session closes
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The 2nd session of the 10th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK that opened here on April 7 closed today after a successful discussion of its agenda items. A decision of the SPA of the DPRK "on the summing up of the fulfillment of the state budget for Juche 87 (1998) in the DPRK," ordinances of the SPA of the DPRK "on the state budget for Juche 88 (1999) in the DPRK" and "on adopting a law of the DPRK on the plan of the national economy" were adopted with a unanimous approval of the deputies.
Kim Jong Il's election to NDC chairmanship
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Today is the 6th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's election to the chairmanship of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A national meeting was held at the April 25 House of Culture to mark the anniversary. Attending the meeting together with People's Army servicemen and working people in the city were senior party, state and army officials, including Kim Yong Nam. Secretary Kim Ki Nam of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea (WPK) made a report.
The reporter said since the election to the top post of national defense of the great leader Kim Jong Il endowed with qualifications and traits as befits an outstanding statesman and commander from long ago, a bright future of victory and prosperity has been in store for the Korean revolution.
Kim Jong Il is a genius of politics and military affairs who formulated from a new angle a Juche-based outlook on national defense and put it into practice with credit to turn Korea into a militarily strong country of socialism, he said, and continued: Kim Jong Il put forward a distinguished political philosophy of attaching priority to national defense. The philosophy is the most scientific and revolutionary guiding idea of state politics that gives a sure guarantee for victory of the Korean revolution.
He defined it as a way of leading the revolution to give precedence to the army and directed primary efforts to strengthening the revolutionary armed forces to attain the height of prosperity in army building. He made sure that the combat power of all civilian armed forces has been increased and the whole country has turned into an impregnable fortress. He also has devotedly worked for the building of national defense industry powerful enough to make any weaponry of the latest type.
All the people work toward defense and brilliance of the socialist stronghold of Juche, rallied close around him with one mind and purpose. This is precisely the high spirit and dignified appearance of Kim Il Sung's Korea that proves its worth as a militarily strong country of socialism. In the recent 4 years alone Kim Jong Il gave on-site inspection to some 330 People's Army units, covering the distance as long as over 46,280 km and made a long and tiring journey for a new leaping stride in the national defense industry.
The reporter called upon officers and men of the People's Army and working people to uphold with loyalty Kim Jong Il's ideology and guidance, rallied close around him, for attaining the goal of building a powerful nation and opening a decisive phase of national reunification. Now that there still remains imperialism on the globe and the U.S. and their stooges try to stifle Korean socialism at all costs, we should invariably pursue the policy of attaching priority to national defense, he said.
For strengthening national defense and accomplishing the cause of Juche, he noted, it is essential to channel utmost efforts into strengthening the People's Army. No matter which way the wind may blow, the People's Army should make full combat preparations, he said. He also called upon all the working people to arm themselves with the WPK's idea of giving priority to the military and viewpoint on war, learn military knowledge with sincerity and follow up the successes gained in turning the whole country into an impregnable fortress.
6th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of NDC
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA)-- Papers here today dedicate editorials to the 6th anniversary of the election of General Secretary Kim Jong Il as chairman of the National Defence Commission (NDC) of the DPRK.
His election is a historic event of great significance in the struggle to make Korea prosperous and powerful and carry forward to accomplishment the Juche revolutionary cause, an editorial of Rodong Sinmun today says, and continues: His election to the chairmanship of the NDC, the highest responsibility of the state for leading and commanding all the political, military and economic forces of the country provided an eternal guarantee for the prospect of the country and the nation.
The past 6 years were proud years during which Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il has fully demonstrated his greatness by forcefully advancing the revolution and construction as a whole with his leadership art of giving priority to the army. His greatest exploit is that he has turned the DPRK into a militarily powerful socialist state which any enemy dare not provoke. His politics is the army-first politics. Herein lies the basic character and might of the politics of Kim Jong Il who makes no failure. His will is an iron will which will not be shaken under any stresses and storms while his grit is a matchless grit with which he looks down upon any formidable enemy.
It is his strong and tough spirit that there would not be the earth without Korea. As the DPRK elected Kim Jong Il, the iron-willed commander who is possessed of the spirit of Mt. Paektu, to the highest post of the national defence, no one can violate its sovereignty even a little. An editorial of Minju Joson calls upon the whole country and all the people and servicemen to glorify the DPRK as an invincible country, powerful and prosperous, under the guidance of Kim Jong Il with a high national pride and self-confidence in having him as the great commander.
10-day film show to commemorate Sun's Day
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- A 10-day film show opened to commemorate Sun's Day, the birthday of the President Kim Il Sung. Documentary and feature films on the President's revolutionary life and activities will be screened at all the cinema houses across the country in the show period. Among them are documentaries "the Fatherly leader finding himself among workers" and "the Great History" and feature films "Star of Korea," "the Sun of the Nation" and serials of "the Nation and Destiny." Cinema-goers will also see documentaries on the noble traits of the Kim Jong Il and his revolutionary activities. Its national opening ceremony was held at the People's Palace of Culture.
Foreigners in Korea visit museums
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international organizations in Korea on Thursday visited the victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
They first laid flowers before the main sculpture "victory" of the monument to victory in the Fatherland Liberation War. Then they went round exhibited data and relics in the museum, being briefed on the fact that under the wise leadership of the President Kim Il Sung the People's Army and people of Korea decisively smashed the aggression of the U.S. and their stooges and won the victory in the war. After the visit they had a meeting with participants in the Korean War.
Meanwhile, officials of the foreign military attaches' corps in Korea visited the Revolutionary Museum at the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces. They saw historic relics and data showing the immortal and precious exploits performed by Kim Jong Il in increasing the self-reliant national defence capabilities.
Meeting of youths and students in Pyongyang held
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Youths and students here met on Thursday to celebrate the 6th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission. Among those present at the celebration meeting were secretary Kim Jung Rin of the Worker's Party of Korea Central Committee, officials concerned, and youth league officials. Ri Il Hwan, first secretary of the c.c., the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, made a report there which was followed by speeches.
The reporter and speakers said that the election of the respected Marshal Kim Jong Il by the absolute trust and unanimous desire of all the people and servicemen is a great honor of the Korean Army, people and youths who are blessed with leaders and commanders through generations. Kim Jong Il long ago considered national defence as an important state affair and life-line decisive of victory in the revolution and the nation's destiny. He advanced the unique idea of attaching priority to the army, and has built up the People's Army as the pillar of the revolution and driving force of the Juche revolutionary cause with all his devotion and energy, they said.
They called upon all the youths to deeply cherish the immovable confidence that the socialist fatherland and bright future are ensured by him and become absolute worshipers, resolute defenders and thorough executors of Kim Jong Il's ideas, who think and struggle true to the idea and will of the Worker's Party of Korea.
S. Korean defectors welcomed
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Pyongyangites met here on Thursday to welcome Sin Sang Jae and his family who defected to the north from the south. A DPRK order, prize money and souvenirs were awarded to Sin at the meeting.
Vice-chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee Choe Yun Sik said in his welcome address that the defection of sin and his children to the north was an expression of resistance to the U.S.'s colonial rule over South Korea and its fascist rulers' anti-social misrule. Our socialism is the genuine bosom of the mother and the defectors will enjoy a worthwhile and happy life to the full, the speaker said.
In his reply sin said that the north is far more ideal and excellent society than what he imaged in the south. What has moved him most in the DPRK is that it is pervaded with the spirit of the nation, he stressed. He expressed the firm will to devote his all to the building of a powerful socialist nation and the noble cause of national reunification as a soldier of the respected Marshal Kim Jong Il.
Japan urged to admit its crime-woven past
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The Japanese magazine Sekiyu Shuho recently complained that it is "very ridiculous" for a country making far less contributions to the United Nations than Japan to exercise a veto power at the UN Security Council and that, if Japan is not empowered to exercise its right, the portion of its shares for the UN must be reduced.
Commenting on this complaint, a news analyst of Minju Joson today says: This glaringly self-exposes once again that Japan is a@very brazen-faced and immoral country. Japan has not yet cleansed its dishonor as an "enemy state" as it refuses to admit and apologize for its past crimes. Nevertheless, it is obtrusively complaining about its contributions to the UN and seeking a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
This shows that the Japanese authorities are ruffians who do not feel any shame and have no conscience and reason. In the past, Japan carried out a war of aggression against Korea and other Asian nations and inflicted unbearable misfortunes and sufferings upon a large number of people. Japan had better reflect on its crimes honestly and liquidate its past.
Russian Alexandrov Army Choir and Dance Ensemble
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The Russian Alexandrov Army Choir and Dance Ensemble which had come here to attend the 17th April Spring Friendship Art Festival gave a performance at the Mansudae Art Theatre on Thursday before its opening. It was appreciated by vice-Minister of Culture Song Sok Hwan, who is vice-chairman of the organizing committee of the art festival, officials concerned and working people in Pyongyang. Among those in the audience were Russian ambassador Valery Denisov and embassy officials. Their repertoire included Korean songs, Russian songs and dances and other numbers.
Appearance of Nampho changes beyond recognition
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The appearance of Nampho, a port city on the west coast of Korea, has changed beyond recognition. The city is the gateway to the capital city of Pyongyang as well as a satellite city. The construction of motorway is now in full swing between Pyongyang and Nampho. The 40km long highway to be built from the Mangyongdae crossroad in Kwangbok Street to the entrance of Nampho is two or three times the Pyongyang-Wonsan, Pyongyang-Kaesong and Pyongyang-Hyangsan motorways in width.
The city has turned more beautiful and modern in the last decade. An area of tens of thousands of square metres has been newly paved at the city's port and its facilities have been modernized. It has a well-built wharf and railway stations.There sprang up in Waudo, a scenic sea beach 4 km away from the city center, a modern hotel and a hall covering an area of more than 8,000 square metres. Picturesque Waudo boasts several low and high hills, curious rocks, woodland overgrown with pine trees, autumn foliage, beautiful beach and lovely waves. The city is famous for its attractive swimming beach.New parks and pleasure grounds have made their appearance in various parts of the city.
The city has schools of various levels including institutions for training technicians and specialists in the fields of industry, agriculture, education, fishery, health care, machine-building, forestry and sports and over 10 people's hospitals, 40 clinics and prevention centers. Its population receive free education and free medical service. The city also boasts a modern sports village covering an area of 200,000 square metres. Many domestic and international games are held each year in a football stadium, an indoor stadium, swimming house and at other modern sports facilities.
30 minutes drive by car westward from Nampho will bring one to the 8 km long west sea barrage. The city has become famous for its great monumental edifices of world significance. There are in the city a smeltery, a ship yard, a glass factory and other modern enterprises. Exquisite and fine glass goods produced by the Nampho Glass Corporation are very popular on foreign markets.
S. Korean authority's' move against north
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The South Korean "Ministry of National Defence" announced on April 6 that it would lengthen the "ROK army" radio broadcasting time and make its network which has been confined to Seoul and its surrounding areas spread all over South Korea, a Seoul-based radio report said. The move is intended to cover up the reactionary nature of the "ROK army" as a shameful mercenary of the U.S., to dampen the people's anti-"ROK army" sentiment and incite anti-north war fever.
Kim Jong Il praised as defender of world peace and socialism
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- T. B. Mukherjee, president of the Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea, in a recent interview with the KCNA correspondent in India highly praised the greatness of General Secretary Kim Jong Il. He said that the great Kim Jong Il is identical to the respected President Kim Il Sung in idea, virtues and traits and that under his wise guidance socialism victoriously advances in the DPRK. Kim Jong Il's politics is based on warm love for popular masses and firm trust in the revolutionary comrades and he travels a lot to mix with the people, Mukherjee said, and went on: The people of the five continents highly praise him as defender of world peace and socialism. He, the benevolent father of the people, put socialism on a firm foundation.
Sun's Day commemorated abroad
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Colorful events were held in different countries on the threshold of Sun's Day. A symposium on the famous work of General Secretary Kim Jong Il "On the Juche Idea" was sponsored by the Russian Youth Society for the Study of the Juche Idea on last Saturday. At the symposium a reporter and speakers pointed out that "On the Juche Idea" is a celebrated work which consummated, developed in depth and enriched the Juche idea created by the great leader Kim Il Sung.
Kim Jong Il in the work clarified the socio-historical principles and the guiding principles of the Juche idea that independent and creative stand should be maintained and the role of ideological consciousness enhanced in the revolution and construction, they said. Noting that in his other works he underlined the importance of the ideological work, they said the DPRK is an ideologically powerful country and its people, ideologically strong, are successfully overcoming all difficulties and winning victory.
A concert for commemorating Sun's Day was held at the College of Music and Dance of Mongolia. Put on the stage were immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Il Sung," "Nostalgia" and other Korean songs and Mongolian songs by artistes of the symphony orchestra, the National Song and Dance Ensemble, the Railway Song and Dance Troupe, the National Circus and others of Mongolia. A performance of dance "Spring of Korea" was given at the Central Palace of Culture in Mongolia on Mar. 18.
Meanwhile, a ceremony was held in Nepal on April 1 to start the 4th national question-and-answer contest of youths and senior middle school students for remembering the great leader Kim Il Sung and Nepal-Korea friendship.
Grand international art festival
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The 17th April Spring Friendship Art festival will be held in the capital city of Pyongyang over April 10-18 in Korea.The festival, held annually here on the occasion of the birthday of the President Kim Il Sung, is a grand international art festival aimed at promoting cultural exchange and cooperation among artistes of countries all over the world in the idea of independence, friendship and peace.
The festival that raised its curtain on the President's 70th birthday in April Juche 71 (1982), was held 16 times till now and it has gained in scope. Art troupes and artistes from a total of 690 countries attended the festival. Many foreign artistes put on stage hymns and dances which carried their reverence for President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the great men who made world's history-making exploits for the human cause of independence.
Among them are Mitsuko Ogasawara, a vocalist of the Art Troupe of the Japan-Korea Music Interchange Association, who sang the revolutionary song "Star of Korea" and the Ukrainian Choir "Veryovka" that sang the song "the Leader will always be with us". They also gave pleasure to the Korean people on the nation's greatest holiday with world's famous songs and music, dance, circus and other art pieces of deep national color. Especially, China, Cuba, Russia and Mongolia sent renowned art troupes, domestic and international prize winners and other famous actors and actresses each year to mark the festival more significantly.
Pyongyang has made every arrangement to receive foreign participants. This 17th festival will be attended by artistes from 40 odd countries as well as overseas. Korean artistes.They will perform at Korea's famous Mansudae Art Theatre, Pyongyang grand theatre and other theatres and cultural houses.
Remarks of S. Korean defector
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- "The South Korean ruling quarters should stop urging us to come back but immediately send back the north-born unconverted long-term prisoners who demand their repatriation," said Yun Il Hyon, a South Korean defector.The rulers in the south are now making an incoherent argument that those unconverted long-term prisoners should be exchanged for "ROK army POWs." "I can hardly repress my indignation at such nonsensical argument," he said.
Yun, 71, who hailed from Iksan county, North Jolla Province now lives in Pyongyang. In May 1952 he defected to the north to serve in the Korean People's Army, disillusioned with the "ROK army" into which he was forcibly drafted. He went on to say: After getting discharged from military service, I had realized my hope to do farming in a society free from exploitation and oppression. Being a war veteran, I am respected, enjoying benefits from the state for my merited service.
Nevertheless, the rulers in the south urge us who are leading such a happy life, to come back. I can't understand why they demand our return when national reunification has not yet been realized. In the world there is no other system better than the socialist system in the DPRK. What makes me feel sick at heart is that my happy life cannot be introduced to my friends in the hometown though we are living in the same land. I voluntarily came over to the north of the country after the shameful service in the "ROK army."
Dangerous move for military showdown
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The South Korean "Minister of National Defence", Chon Yong Thaek, at a radio interview some days ago, said the north's missiles as well as "its suspected nuclear facility" constitute a "factor of major threat" to the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia and the south is coping with it through close "cooperation" with the United States.
He also said the "ROK" army has mapped out a scenario to counter any provocation by the north and is now "in the process of establishing a military posture for a variety of counter-actions." He did not bother to disclose "its plan to increase capabilities for overall counter-actions" through large-scale joint exercises on the ground and in east, west and south seas and in the air above them within the first half of this year.
His remarks indicate how frantically the South Korean authorities are stepping up provocative war moves to fan up north-south confrontation under the spurious cloak of the "engagement policy toward the north." His loudmouthed "missile threat" and "nuclear suspicion" are nothing but fictions faked up by the reactionary warlords of the United States and Japan in a bid to tarnish the prestige of the DPRK, a staunch champion of independence, and isolate and stifle it. Therefore, "cooperation" urged by the South Korean authorities self-exposes that they are miserable servants of the outside aggressor forces.
The north presented a landmark proposal for improving inter-Korean relations, including inter-government dialogue, and proposed to them to positively implement the priorities in the first half of the year. But, as a challenge to this offer, he unveiled the "plan to stage war drills" against the north throughout South Korea during that period. It once again reveals the South Korean authority's anti-national, anti-reunification stand for north-south confrontation.
Chon Yong Thaek at the interview called on "the ROK army to maintain an unshakable view on the principal enemy regardless of change in inter-Korean relations." These outbursts inciting consciousness of confrontation with the north are indicative of the deceptive nature of the present South Korean authority's anti-national, anti-reunification policy toward the north. The South Korean authorities are well advised to behave with discretion, mindful that the dangerous military moves for north-south confrontation will only precipitate their self-destruction.
Intention to continue to develop, produce, test and deploy missiles
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- U.S. officials are these days becoming more vociferous about "missile threats" from the DPRK. According to news reports, an official of the U.S. state department recently said the issues of missiles and nuclear weapons are the two sides of a coin and, accordingly, these issues are top threats from North Korea. In another development, a spokesman for the U.S. state department cried North Korea should not test-launch any missile beyond the category of the missile technical control system although it has not entered this regime and that its launch of satellite poses "threats" to security.
This preposterous sophism is a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the DPRK and an unpardonable challenge to it. The U.S. outcries for "missile threats" are nothing but a deceptive subterfuge to contain the DPRK militarily and, furthermore, attain its design for domination over Asia. Now, the U.S. is pushing ahead with establishing the "Theatre Missile Defense" system (TMD) in the Asia-Pacific region at the final stage.
This system represent a motive force of establishing a new Asian version of NATO and, accordingly, it is an aggressive and offensive war system to make a preemptive strike at the DPRK, bring it under its control and contain and command big powers in the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. is raising a hue and cry over "missile threats" from the DPRK in an attempt to find excuses for establishing the aggressive "TMD" system, a great threat to the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and prove its validity. However, theirs is nothing but an anachronistic dream.
We reclarify that the launch of missiles and satellites belongs to the sovereignty of the DPRK from A to Z and, accordingly, there is no reason why the U.S. should poke its nose into this matter. Having deployed a large number of ballistic missiles and inter-continental ballistic missiles in many parts of the world, the United States, the warring party of the DPRK, has posed threats to the DPRK and other countries. Under these circumstances, the DPRK will never suspend the development, production, test and deployment of missiles but go ahead with them.
If the U.S. side wants, the DPRK may discuss only the issue of suspending missile export, provided that it makes compensation in cash for losses the DPRK will suffer from the suspension. However, the U.S. insists that it cannot "make any compensation in cash." Missile export will not be suspended if the U.S. refuses to pay cash to compensate for the DPRK's losses. The United States should clearly understand the just and principled stand of the DPRK and stop vociferating about "missile threats" from the DPRK.
Message of sympathy to Indian Prime Minister
Pyongyang, April 9 ( KCNA) -- Premier of the cabinet of the DPRK Hong Song Nam sent a message of sympathy to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, in connection with big human and economic losses from a recent earthquake in its Uttar Pradesh state.Extending deep sympathy and condolence to him and, through him, to the population in the afflicted area, the message expressed the belief that the Indian government and people would recover from earthquake damage as early as possible and their life return to normal.
Greetings to president of Finnish Parliament
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Choe Thae Bok sent a message of greetings to Jukka Mikkola on his appointment as president of the Finnish Parliament. In the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and parliaments would develop on good terms in the idea of independence, peace and friendship, the message wished him great success in his responsible work.
Bangladeshi political party leader arrives
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Dilip Barua, general secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist-Leninist), arrived here on April 9 by air on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung.