Diplomatic corps visits Oun Revolutionary Site
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The diplomatic corps here on April 22 visited the Oun Revolutionary Site in a suburb of Pyongyang to mark the 67th anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army. The revolutionary site is a camping ground where General Secretary Kim Jong Il had a military training in the summer of 1962. The visitors, hearing the story about happenings during the military training, looked round historical data, buildings and places of training.
Respectful homage paid to Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Indonesian ambassador Buchari Effendi and embassy officials in the DPRK visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace on Thursday in which the President Kim Il Sung lies in state and paid tribute to him on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. After expressing respects to the statue of the President, they paid respectful homage to him, who lies in state. They looked round with deep attention orders and medals which foreign states awarded to the President and his relics.
Korean art troupe from Japan feted
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- A reception was given at the Mokran House on Thursday in honor of the Korean art troupe from Japan under the care of General Secretary Kim Jong Il. Present at the reception were Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Choe Thae Bok and Kim Yong Sun, secretaries of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, and officials concerned.
It was attended by the delegation of Korean residents in Japan led by So Man Sul, first vice-chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), the delegations of Chongryon officials, the art troupe of Korean residents in Japan and overseas compatriots staying in the socialist homeland.
Addressing the reception, Choe Thae Bok said that the members of the art troupe gave excellent performances during the 17th April Spring Friendship Art Festival, which highly praised the Generalissimo Kim Il Sung and Marshal Kim Jong Il and fully represented national emotion, thus greatly encouraging the people in the homeland in their drive to build a powerful nation. He expressed the firm belief that the Chongryon officials and Koreans in Japan would deeply cherish the honor given to them by the Marshal and register fresh advance and victory in their patriotic work for the fatherland and nation.
So Man Sul in his speech said that the Koreans in Japan would bring about a signal turn in the patriotic work of Chongryon, keeping pace with the grandiose march of the people in the homeland, thus making a tangible contribution to the independent reunification of the country and the building of a powerful socialist nation.
There was a performance by artistes in Pyongyang.
S. Korean ruler's moves for development of bio-chemical weapons
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Korean Democratic Lawyers Association issued a statement on April 22 condemning the South Korean authorities for their frantic moves to develop and stockpile biological and chemical weapons hand in glove with outsiders.
The statement said that the South Korean ruling quarters have developed and introduced biological and chemical weapons in a systematic and planned way in collusion with the U.S. and their moves have now reached a graver phase. It went on: This is an anti-national and unethical criminal act of gravely threatening the existence of the Korean nation and all humankind. The South Korean authorities are frantically kicking up an anti-DPRK fuss, crying over the fictitious "development of biological and chemical weapons" and "threat" from the DPRK, in league with the U.S.
These moves are nothing but a criminal scheme of the South Korean authorities to conceal their true colors as criminals involved in the production of these weapons and intensify their campaign against the DPRK. The South Korean authorities should stop developing and stockpiling these types of weapons, taking advantage of the U.S.'s anti-DPRK war preparations.
Pomminryon north headquarters meets
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The 7th meeting of the central committee of the north headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) was held in Pyongyang on April 22. The meeting proposed the first item "on thoroughly implementing the five-point policy of great national unity in reunification movement of Pomminryon" and then heard a report and speeches.
They reviewed achievements made in the Pomminryon movement during the past one year. It was pointed out that the "grand festival for national reconciliation, unity and reunification" was successfully held by the united efforts of the north, south and overseas pro-reunification, patriotic forces on August 15 last year in response to the five-point policy of great national unity clarified by General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
They referred to measures to open a new turning-phase of national reunification by realising the solidarity with all the organizations of the reunification movement at home and overseas under the banner of national independence and great unity and by significantly holding the 10th pan-national rally as a nationwide grand festival of reunification on the occasion of August 15.
It adopted its second item "on by-election of members of presidium and central committee of Pomminryon north headquarters", and elected some of their members to fill vacancy.
Militarist wild ambition revealed
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The Japanese diplomatic authorities, in their 1999 diplomatic white paper released some days ago, underscored the need of "countermeasure against diversified threat," raising a hue and cry over the DPRK's "launch of missile". To support this assertion they argued that "in the last one year the potential factor of instability including North Korea's missile launch has become a reality to cause fresh uneasiness to the region" and that "Japan would be urged more strongly than ever before to play a leading role in establishing a new international order."
Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary lambasting Japan's diatribe observes: This reveals the Japanese authorities' ulterior intention to step up arms expansion, arms buildup and enactment of "law on emergency" on the plea of "countermeasure" against "threat" of the DPRK's "missile launch" and carry into practice their scenario for reinvasion. All maneuverings of the Japanese reactionaries focus on making an aggression on the DPRK.
Japan is now dreaming of establishing a new international order whereby it can hold hegemony and perform a leading role. It was by no means accidental that they imprudently stressed in the white paper the need for "Japan to play a leading role" in "establishing a new international order." The Japanese authorities, who have reached the height of arrogance, did not bother to openly reveal their attempt to establish a new militarist Asian order and a new world order with Japan as its leader.
It is the Japanese reactionary's calculation that they should control the Korean peninsula to that end. That is why they are so desperately carrying on the anti-DPRK campaign over the DPRK's "missile launch." they leave no stone unturned to realize their ambition for overseas aggression.
Japan has emerged a very dangerous aggression force in Asia.
Senior party and state officials see art performance
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) --The art troupe of Korean residents in Japan performed at the Mansudae Art Theatre on Thursday. President Kim Yong Nam of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK and other senior party and state officials saw the performance. Also among the audience were the delegation of Korean residents in Japan led by So Man Sul, first vice-chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), overseas compatriots and working people in Pyongyang.
The song and dance performance "a Song of Praise for the Sun Presented by 700,000 Compatriots in Japan" began with dance "We Miss the Sun." The multifarious program including solos, choruses and dances put on the stage by the Korean artistes from Japan truthfully reflected yearning for the President Kim Il Sung and pledge to sustain their loyalty and filial piety toward General Secretary Kim Jong Il. Senior party and state officials had a picture taken with members of the art troupe of Korean residents in Japan.
S. Korean worker's struggle supported
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Solidarity struggle of workers, peasants and students is now surging into high tide in South Korea. The massive struggle is an eruption of their grudge and wrath upon the rulers who have imposed political non-rights, subhuman life, misfortunes and pains upon them, says Rodong Sinmun today in a commentary.
The news analyst further says: There is no other choice than struggle for us who have nothing more to be deprived of or lose. Compromise and surrender means death and struggle against the oppressors is the only way out. This is the unanimous will of the South Korean people raising the torch of struggle. It is quite natural and an exercise of inalienable rights that the working masses in South Korea have turned out in the fight for democracy and vital rights, firmly determined to shape their own destinies. The South Korean workers, peasants and students will fight unyieldingly until their just demands are met. It is the way to realize their cherished desire for independence, democracy and reunification.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from Syrian friendship delegation
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the visiting friendship delegation of Army and Armed Forces of the Syrian Arab Republic, led by Lieut. General Farouk Issa Ibrahim, deputy chief of the general staff of its army and armed forces. He handed it to an official concerned.
Invincible revolutionary armed forces
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The Korean people are significantly commemorating the 67th anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People's Army (KPA), their revolutionary armed forces (April 25, 1932). Commemoration meetings, joint meetings of soldiers and people, art performances and other colorful events will be held in Pyongyang and local areas on this occasion.
The KPA struck its roots in the anti-Japanese people's guerrilla army founded by the President Kim Il Sung. These revolutionary armed forces renamed the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) defeated the Japanese and achieved the historic cause of the country's liberation under his wise leadership.
The KPA became regular armed forces in February 1948 with the KPRA as its backbone. During the Fatherland Liberation War (June 1950-july 1953) it repelled the invasion by the imperialist allied forces led by the United States that boasted of being the "strongest" in the world, and honorably defended the security of the country and the people. After the war it shattered the enemy's military provocation and firmly defended the Korean revolution which was pioneered and safeguarded at the cost of blood.
The KPA with a nearly 70 year long history of victory has grown to be powerful crack armed forces capable of wiping out any formidable enemy as it has the great leader Kim Jong Il as its Supreme Commander.
Thanks to his leadership art of giving priority to the army, the KPA is fully equipped with modern means of attack and defence. It is fully ready to deal merciless blows to the enemy once he violates even an inch of our territory and its waters and airspace no matter from where he may come.
It is thanks to the KPA, invincible revolutionary armed forces, creditably defending the gains of the Korean revolution that the Korean people are running at a canter, full of conviction and optimism to build a powerful nation despite a difficult situation.
Unabated strike of S. Korean workers
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Ri Kap Yong, chairman of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), reportedly called a press conference in Seoul on April 21 and warned that in case the "government" authorities refuse to respond to direct negotiations with the confederation, it would expand its general strike.
He denounced the authorities for crying for unilateral "restructuring," turning a blind eye to substantial negotiations and blaming the confederation for the on-going strike. KCTU leadership began an indefinite strike to press its demand on the same day. The strike of workers under KCTU against the deadly "restructuring" and lay-off continues. The Seoul Subway Trade Union has been on a strike for three consecutive days as of April 21 and the trade union of the Daewoo Business Group launched into a partial strike on April 22.
"Minister of National Defense" incites confrontation with north
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Chon Yong Thaek, "Minister of National Defense" of South Korea, reportedly reiterated confrontation and war against the north, at the 3rd field army command of the South Korean Army and the 2nd division of the marine corps on April 21. Chon slandered the north, talking about "provocative infiltration into the south" by the north, "perfect preparedness" and "guard over coasts." His remarks stemmed from a sinister attempt to incite antagonism against and confrontation with the north, dampen the desire of all the fellow countrymen for reunification and avoid the South Korean people's criticism of the "government."
Sweden-Korea Friendship Association meets
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- An annual meeting of the Sweden-Korea Friendship Association was held in Stockholm on April 17. The meeting reviewed the work of the association for 1998 and discussed a working plan for 1999. It made a point of fully supporting the just cause of the Korean people who, under the leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Il, work hard for the reunification of the country, socialist construction and liquidation of the aftermath of natural disasters, defying the imperialist campaign to isolate and stifle them.
Significant day of rebirth
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Associate Prof. And bachelor, Ri U Gap, member of the consultative council of former South Korean politicians in the north for the promotion of peaceful reunification, made public his memoirs. He defected to the north on April 15, Juche 77 (1988), the 76th birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung. After his defection he worked his way through a normal school and finished a university course through self-study. Later he worked as a professor in charge of physical exercise and concurrently a section chief of Kinsman Fisheries College and Kinsman Business College in South Korea.
In his memoirs he said through those people in the south who longed for the north and through radio Pyongyang he learned about the realities in the North Korea.
He made up his mind to break with decadent South Korean society and devotedly work for the sacred cause of national reunification under the care of the savior of the people, he said. He repeatedly tried to defect to the north, only to meet failures, and when staying in Singapore he realised his desire for the defection through the DPRK embassy there, he said.
He described April 15, 1988, when he was embraced in the DPRK thanks to the loving care of the President and the respected Marshal Kim Jong Il, as a significant day when his new political life began. Over the 11-year span after the defection he graduated from the doctoral institute of Korean University of Physical Education, obtained an associate professorship and an academic degree of bachelor and became a father of a son and daughter. He enjoys happiness as befits man of independence and creativeness under the great loving care of the President and the Marshal, he added.
KPA lauded
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Editor-in-chief A. Danilov and deputy-editor I. Dynin of the Russian paper veteran at a press interview in Pyongyang gave their impressions of Korea.
The editor-in-chief said that the servicepersons of the Korean People's Army defend peace and security of socialist Korea with credit and that the spirit of the servicemen he met was excellent. He continued: Their spirit is mainly characterized by intense loyalty to Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il, ardent love of the country, devoted service to the people and strong animosity toward the enemy. In the DPRK primary attention is paid to the servicepersons and so they are all ready to dedicate their lives to the defense of the generous country.
The Korean people's sovereignty and happiness will surely be guaranteed by the servicepersons who are defending their fatherland reliably, frustrating every move of the U.S. and the South Korean authorities to provoke a new war. The deputy-editor noted that the Korean People's Army is invincible revolutionary armed forces because it has the great brilliant Marshal Kim Jong Il as its Supreme Commander.
He stressed that Kim Jong Il is always paying deep attention to training all the servicepersons into invincible combatants under the slogan of a-match-for-a-hundred and commanded by him, the Korean armed forces will defeat any strong enemy.
Kim Jong Il receives senior Chongryon official
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received first vice-chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) So Man Sul who is heading a delegation of Koreans in Japan on a visit to the socialist homeland on the occasion of Sun's Day. So Man Sul extended the warmest greetings to Kim Jong Il, representing the unanimous loyalty and reverence of all the officials of Chongryon and 700,000 Koreans in Japan on the occasion of Sun's Day, and wholeheartedly wished him a long life in good health. After expressing thanks for this, Kim Jong Il had a cordial talk with So Man Sul.
He gave a luncheon in honor of the first vice-chairman.