Kim Jong Il congratulates KPA soldiers on Sun's Day
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il visited a KPA unit entitled Kum Song lifeguard defending Kaephung county on April 15 and congratulated KPA officers and men on Sun's Day. He was accompanied by Jo Myong Rok, director of the general political department of the KPA, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the KPA, and staff members of the supreme command.
After arriving at the unit, he waved to the enthusiastically cheering soldiers and warmly congratulated them on Sun's Day. He climbed up to the forward command post of the unit and acquainted himself in detail with topographical conditions and disposition of forces and heard a report from the commander of the unit about the situation and reconnoitered the enemy's movements, looking down at Kyodong and Kanghwa islands where the enemy is entrenched.
He expressed great satisfaction with the fact that the officers and men of the unit have turned all its operational theatres into an impregnable fortress and prepared themselves firmly to be matchless ones who can smash any surprise invasion by the enemy at one stroke and set forth highly important tasks which would serve as guidelines in increasing the combat capacity of the unit in every way.
He went to the headquarters of the unit where he saw a map showing the course of the President Kim Il Sung's on-site guidance and its combat records. He said that the soldiers of the unit should in the future, too, demonstrate its invincible might by preserving its proud tradition. He looked round the bedroom and mess hall of soldiers and other places and expressed great satisfaction over their condition. He noted that the traditional trait of officer-soldier unity which is being highly displayed at the People's Army should be further developed.
He appreciated an art performance given by soldiers of a company under the unit and noted with great satisfaction that all the KPA soldiers have not only prepared themselves to be one-match-for-a-hundred fighters but also have grown to be strong in ideology and faith. He gave soldiers of the company a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle. He posed for a photograph with soldiers of the unit on Sun's Day.
Floral basket from Palestinian President
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- A floral basket from President of the State of Palestine Yasser Arafat was laid before the statue of the President Kim Il Sung on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on the occasion of the latter's birth anniversary. It was laid by Shaher Mohammed Abdlah, Palestinian Ambassador E.P. to Korea on April 15. The basket had a ribbon bearing the letters "The great leader H.E. Kim Il Sung will always live."
Letter to Kim Jong Il from Hanminjon
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a letter from the central committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (Hanminjon) on Thursday on the occasion of Sun's Day.
The letter said: The whole life of the great President Kim Il Sung was a brilliant life of the sun during which he brought rebirth and prosperity to the country and nation and paved the way for the building of a new world of independence for humankind through his total dedication. The exploits preformed by him are those of the sun which will remain shining throughout the annals of the revolution.
The President was a genius of creation and construction who achieved historical Juche cause of founding the party, the army and the state in a short historical period, hewing the untrodden path of revolution and construction, and successfully carried out the social revolution at various stages, thus turning the northern half of the country into a powerful socialist state to which the world is looking up.
The immortal exploit of the President who steered the whole nation towards reconciliation, unity and reunification to the last moment of his life with a view to reunifying the divided country at an early date constitute a valuable legacy instrumental in achieving the national reunification and the grandeur and prosperity of a reunified country.
The President, who glorified the 20th century as the first century of era of independence, is the eternal sun of Juche who always lives in the mind of the nation and humankind with his great august name. The hearts of the South Korean people are swelling with the boundless joy and pride of holding Marshal Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the sun of the 21st century. In order to discharge the great mission to successfully fulfil the President's intentions during his lifetime you have ushered in a new era of national prosperity over the last five years.
Thanks to your leadership over the building of a powerful nation the North Korea is achieving unprecedented miracles and successes under the banner of self-reliance and making a leaping advance towards socialist economic power.
The letter reiterated Hanminjon's pledge to step up the struggle for independence against foreign forces, for democratization against fascism and for national reunification by running at a canter, in step with the brothers and sisters in the north, upholding the three charters of national reunification and the five-point policy of great national unity and thus bring about an epochal turn in the movement for the nation and people.
The letter sincerely wished Kim Jong Il a long life in good health.
Letter to Kim Jong Il from Chongryon
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a letter from the central standing committee of the General Association of the Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) on the occasion of Sun's Day. The letter said that the central standing committee of Chongryon extended highest glory and warmest thanks to Kim Jong Il who is successfully carrying forward the cause of the fatherly leader Kim Il Sung, representing the unbounded reverence and ardent loyalty of all the officials of Chongryon and compatriots.
Kim Il Sung who built a Juche based socialist system in the homeland after founding the immortal Juche idea and leading the social revolution at two stages and two wars to victory and dedicated his whole life to the happiness of the people, believing in people as in heaven, will always live in the mind of humankind as the sun of Juche, the letter said, and continued: You have saved the country and the nation by shattering every move of the imperialist allied forces to stifle the DPRK with the revolutionary leadership art of giving priority to the army, a precious sword, with the result that Kim Il Sung's cause of nation-building has been upheld and is demonstrating its dignity before the whole world as a bulwark of socialism.
It is under your sagacious leadership that Chongryon and the compatriots in Japan have firmly defended Chongryon, Kim Il Sung's patriotic legacy, and more vigorously pushed ahead the patriotic cause, frustrating every anti-Chongryon maneuver of the reactionaries inside and outside Japan. We will bring about a new turn in the work of Chongryon by keeping pace with the second grand Chollima march of the compatriots at home who are running at a canter for the building of a powerful nation and thus brilliantly adorn this year as the last significant year of the 1990s.
Joint performance of Korean and foreign artistes
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- A joint performance of Korean artistes and foreign participants in the 17th April Spring Friendship Art Festival was given here on Thursday, the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung. It was appreciated by Jang Chol, chairman of the festival organizing committee, and other officials, citizens, labor innovators, youth and students. The program of the performance which began with the revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Il Sung" included songs, dances and circuses. Famous foreign music and acrobatic pieces were put on the stage by artistes from various countries.
Participants in 17th spring festival feted
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- The presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK gave receptions at the Okryu and Chongryu restaurants for the participants in the 17th April Spring Friendship Art Festival on April 15, the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung. Present on invitation were foreign delegations, delegates and artistes and overseas. Korean artistes, who are staying here for the festival.Present there were Ri Jong Ok and Pak Song Chol, Honorary vice-Presidents of the SPA presidium, and Jang Chol, chairman of the festival organizing committee and others. Speeches were made there.
Children's camps open
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Children's camps across the country opened on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung. Campers included children of officers of units of the Korean People's Army in the forefront, labor innovators in key fields of the national economy, scientists and technicians. They will enjoy mountaineering, sports and amusement and art activities.The children received by the Mangyongdae Children's Camp, the Songdowon International Children's Camp, the Soak Children's Camp and the Myohyangsan Children's Mountaineering Camp and other camps in different parts of the country enjoyed amusement and sports games to significantly spend the first camping day.
Greetings to Syrian President
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Apr. 14 to mark the 53rd anniversary of the Syrian Independence. The message says the Syrian people rallied close around the President are working hard for the building of modern Syria and the fair and comprehensive solution of the Middle East issue. It says the Korean people are following the just struggle of the Syrian people with deep attention and extend full support and firm solidarity to the struggle. It expresses the belief that the excellent friendly and cooperative relations and the bonds of traditional solidarity between the two countries will grow stronger in the joint struggle for independence against imperialism with each passing day.
Banquet given for overseas Koreans
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- A banquet was arranged by General Secretary Kim Jong Il for the visiting overseas Koreans at the Mansudae Art Theatre on Thursday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung.Present at the banquet were vice-president Yang Hyong Sop of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and officials concerned.It was attended by the delegation of Japan-resident Koreans headed by So Man Sul, first vice-chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), president of the International Taekwon-do Federation Choe Hong Hui and his party and other overseas. Koreans. Speeches were made at the banquet which were followed by an art performance by Pyongyang artistes.
Homage paid to Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- The diplomatic corps and military attaches corps here visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to the President Kim Il Sung on April 15, his birth anniversary. Among the visitors were Vishwanath, secretary general of the International Kim Il Sung Prize Council and director of the board of the International Institute of the Juche Idea (IIJI), Ogami Kenichi, secretary general of the IIJI, and their parties and other foreigners. Also among them were a delegation of Koreans in Japan headed by So Man Sul, first vice-chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, and other Koreans from abroad. Pak Kwang Gi, chief of the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea, visited the palace.
Floral baskets laid before statue of Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Floral baskets were laid by foreigners and overseas. Koreans before the statue of the President Kim Il Sung on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on Thursday on the occasion of his birth anniversary.Among them were the members of the diplomatic and military attaches' corps in Korea, participants in the 17th April Spring Friendship Art Festival, staff members of the Chinese embassy in Korea, Pyongyang-resident Chinese, Pak Kwang Gi, chief of the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea, and delegations and groups of overseas Koreans on a visit to the homeland.Floral baskets and bouquets of flowers were also laid by Chinese consul-general Liu Zhijiang and his staff members in Chongjin and members of the Russian consulate general in Chongjin before the statue of President Kim Il Sung in Korea's northern city of Chongjin on Thursday.
Foreign delegations visit 1st Kimilsungia Show
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Foreign political party delegations and delegates, who are on a visit to Korea to commemorate the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung, visited the 1st Kimilsungia Show on Thursday. Hearing an explanation about the immortal flower, they saw round the show with deep interest.
Profound tribute to Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Ppeople of all walks of life and servicemen visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to the President Kim Il Sung on April 15, his birth anniversary. The visitors included officials of the party, armed forces and power institutions, ministries of the cabinet, national institutions, public organizations, anti-Japanese revolutionary veterans, men of science, education, culture and art, public health and the press, officers and men of the Korean People's Army and working people of all social standings in the city.
Standing before the statue of the President was a floral basket in the joint name of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, the Central Military Commission of the WPK, the DPRK National Defence Commission, the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the DPRK cabinet. The visitors paid their respects to his statue and made bows to him preserved in state. They looked round with deep emotion the train used by him for his on-the-spot guidance and trip to foreign countries and the car used by him in the last period of his life.
CPRF slogans favored
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today runs a signed article in support of the slogans put forward by the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland (CPRF) calling for great national unity and national reunification on the first anniversary of the publication of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's historic work "Let Us Reunify the Country Independently and Peacefully Through the Great Unity of the Entire Nation."
The article says: The great unity of the entire nation is the key to smashing the unabated anti-national, anti-reunification campaign of war hawks at home and abroad and bringing about a breakthrough in national reunification. As the CPRF slogans say, all the fellow countrymen must courageously turn out to adhere to the principle of national independence, get united under the banner of love of the country and nation, improve inter-Korean relations, fight against domination by outsiders and anti-reunification forces, make contacts and strengthen solidarity for the full implementation of the five-point policy of great national unity.
The slogans serve as one more powerful weapon in the hands of the Korean people in the struggle for the country's reunification and an inspiring banner for the whole nation in the implementation of the five-point policy of the great national unity. They fully manifest the firm stand and will of the Worker's Party of Korea and the DPRK government to achieve the unity of the whole nation, in disregard of differences in ideology, system, political viewpoint and religion and to accomplish the cause of national reunification in our generation without fail true to what the President Kim Il Sung intended and instructed in his lifetime.
Letter to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a letter from O Ik Je, vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, on April 15, Sun's Day. The letter describes Sun's Day as a joy and good fortune of national rebirth and a sacred day of history. It says: If a nation is to be a nation, it must have a genuine leader and realize independence, the life and soul of the nation. This has come true thanks to President Kim Il Sung. His noble will and traces led to saving Korea and building an independent country. His exploit shines all over the world under your guidance. Kim Il Sung's Korea will remain an impregnable fortress for independence which will shine forever as a strong power.
Kim Jong Il receives letter from Ri In Mo
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a letter from Ri In Mo, an incarnation of faith and will, on Thursday on the occasion of Sun's Day. The letter says: Commemorating the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung each year with particularly deep emotion, I deeply feel with each passing year President Kim Il Sung and Marshal Kim Jong Il are, indeed, the greatest men. I can never forget the benevolent care Kim Il Sung showed for me by calling on me on my sickbed in a hospital on his birthday when I was celebrating it for the first time in the fatherland.
I see red flags fluttering in streets on Sun's Day which are expressive of the great revolutionary idea and the revolutionary faith of the President and you Marshal.I read happiness bestowed by the President and you Marshal on the bright faces of the people and in the cheerful laugh of children and hear the most beautiful and noble songs of loyalty sung by an endless stream of people climbing up with flowers in hands the Mansu Hill on which President's statue stands. Ri In Mo in his letter renews his resolution to be loyal to Kim Jong Il until the last moment of his life.
Reception given to commemorate Sun's Day
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea (WPK) gave a reception at the Mokran House on April 15, Sun's Day. Invited were foreign political party leaders, party delegations and delegates and foreigners staying here to mark the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung and anti-Japanese revolutionary veterans, family members and children of those related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle. Present were secretary Choe Thae Bok of the WPK Central Committee and officials concerned.
Choe Thae Bok, addressing the reception, said that the President Kim Il Sung devotedly worked to fully support and encourage revolutionaries and the progressives of the world in their struggle for independence and socialism against imperialism, thus rendering enduring services to the development of the world revolution. Victory is always in store for the Worker's Party, people and People's Army of Korea that have Kim Il Sung as the eternal leader of the Korean revolution and the sun of Juche and uphold the outstanding guidance of the great Kim Jong Il, he said, and went on: The cause of Juche is sure to win.
Alberto Moreno, general secretary of the c.c., the Communist Party of Peru (Red Motherland), in his speech noted that he could hardly repress admiration at the Korean people in their efforts to put into practice the teachings of Kim Il Sung, who fathered the great idea and performed imperishable exploits for the international communist movement and the human cause of independence. He wished the Worker's Party and people of Korea under the wise guidance of Kim Jong Il a shining victory in their gigantic struggle to build a nation, powerful ideologically, militarily and economically. He voiced full support and solidarity to the Korean people in their struggle for independent and peaceful reunification of the country.
Dilip Barua, general secretary of the c.c., the Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist-Leninist), in his speech said that Kim Jong Il holds high banner of socialism in Korea bright with the august name of Kim Il Sung, which is an inspiration. He expressed belief that the Korean people will reunify the country independently, peacefully and on the principle of great national unity under the wise guidance of Kim Jong Il.
Commemorations of Sun's Day
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Commemorations of Sun's Day, the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung, took place in a grand style. Youth and students here had an evening gala "Song of the Eternal Sun" at Kim Il Sung Square on Thursday. Art performances were given at theatres, parks and pleasure grounds of the capital city drawing capacity audiences. Schoolchildren gave art performances at the Pyongyang and Mangyongdae schoolchildren's palaces. Youth vanguard from across the country met in Chongsan-ri, Nampho city, on Wednesday to pledge loyalty.Present were senior party and state officials Kim Yong Nam, Ri Jong Ok, Pak Song Chol and Paek Hak Rim and others.