Kim Jong Il pays homage to Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il, together with senior commanding officers of the army, visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace on Sunday, the 67th anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People's Army (KPA), to pay homage to the President Kim Il Sung.
Kim Jong Il entered the hall where Kim Il Sung's statue is standing. He was accompanied by Jo Myong Rok, director of the general political department of the KPA= KPA marshal Ri Ul Sol= Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the KPA= Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces= vice-chairman Ri Yong Mu and member Yon Hyong Muk of the DPRK National Defence Commission= KPA vice marshals Paek Hak Rim, Kim Ik Hyon, Ri Ha Il, Jon Jae Son, Pak Ki So and Kim Ryong Yon= staff members of the supreme command and commanders of services and arms.
Standing on either side of the statue were flags of the Worker's Party of Korea and the DPRK and colors of the KPA. Lined up there was a guard of honor of the three services of the KPA.
Kim Jong Il, together with the senior commanding officers@@of the army, paid respectful tribute to the statue.
Then, he entered the hall where Kim Il Sung lies in state.
He, together with them, paid most respectful homage to Kim Il Sung.
Kim Jong Il visits army unit
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il visited a unit under KPA unit no. 963 on Sunday to congratulate the officers and men on the anniversary of the KPA.
He was accompanied by director of the general political department of the KPA Jo Myong Rok, KPA marshal Ri Ul Sol, chief of the general staff of the KPA Kim Yong Chun, Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Il Chol, vice-chairman Ri Yong Mu and member Yon Hyong Muk of the DPRK National Defence Commission, KPA vice marshals Paek Hak Rim, Kim Ik Hyon, Ri Ha Il, Jon Jae Son, Pak Ki So and Kim Ryong Yon, staff members of the supreme command and general officers. The visiting party also included first vice department directors of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea Ri Yong Chol, Pak Song Bong, Jang Song Thaek and Choe Chun Hwang.
At the unit, he acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers of soldiers and warmly congratulated them on the 67th anniversary of the KPA. He saw soldiers of the unit under training. He noted with deep satisfaction that all the soldiers have grown to be invincible combatants who are prepared politically, ideologically and in military technique so fully that they can smash any formidable enemy's surprise attack in time and defend the socialist motherland firmly. He highly appreciated their successful training and put forward important tasks to strengthen the KPA further as an invincible revolutionary army.
He looked round facilities for entertainment, education and logistics and expressed great satisfaction with the good living conditions for soldiers of the unit and highly appreciated their achievements. He praised the unit for producing lots of vegetables and urged the whole army to follow the example. He described the unit as an elite unit that is a model for the army not only in military and political training but in logistics, cultural level, morality and all other aspects. He highly appreciated the unit's proud achievements.
He enjoyed choruses sung by all the soldiers of the unit. He said no one can match the KPA which is staunchly fighting with confidence in victory and optimism.
He gave them a pair of binoculars, a machine gun and an automatic rifle as gifts and had a picture taken with them.
Kim Jong Il inspects military drill
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected a military drill of soldiers of KPA units nos. 690 and 946 on Sunday, the 67th anniversary of the KPA. At the drill ground, he warmly congratulated the KPA officers and men on the anniversary. Seeing the drill, he noted with great satisfaction that all the soldiers were prepared politically and ideologically and in military technique so fully that they could smash any surprise attack of the enemy in time and defend the socialist motherland firmly.
He highly appreciated their successful drill and put forward important tasks.
The KPA, which completely inherited the glorious traditions of the anti-Japanese war, has grown to be a strong army in terms of ideology and faith, imbued with the spirit of defending the leader at the cost of life, the spirit of human bombs and the spirit of suicidal attack, and a powerful revolutionary army equipped with modern means of attack and defence, he said, adding that the socialist motherland is impregnable and the revolutionary cause is invincible thanks to this matchless army that has been tempered like steel for nearly 70 years of arduous struggle.
He gave drill participants a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle as gifts.
He had a picture taken with soldiers of the units.
He was accompanied by director of the general political department of the KPA Jo Myong Rok, KPA marshal Ri Ul Sol, chief of the general staff of the KPA Kim Yong Chun, Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Il Chol, vice-chairman Ri Yong Mu and member Yon Hyong Muk of the DPRK National Defence Commission, KPA vice marshals Paek Hak Rim, Kim Ik Hyon, Ri Ha Il, Jon Jae Son, Pak Ki So and Kim Ryong Yon, staff members of the supreme command and commanders of services and arms.
Kim Jong Il enjoys performance given by KPA merited choir
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il, together with officers and men of the Korean People's Army (KPA), saw a performance given by the merited choir of the KPA on Sunday, the 67th anniversary of the KPA.
Among the audience were Jo Myong Rok, director of the general political department of the KPA= KPA marshal Ri Ul Sol= Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the KPA= Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces= vice-chairman Ri Yong Mu and member Yon Hyong Muk of the DPRK National Defence Commission= KPA vice marshals Paek Hak Rim, Kim Ik Hyon, Ri Ha Il, Jon Jae Son, Pak Ki So and Kim Ryong Yon= staff members of the supreme command and commanders of services and arms and other general officers.
Kim Jong Il warmly congratulated the officers and men of the KPA on its 67th anniversary, giving encouragement to them who were greeting the army day while performing praiseworthy feats in the year of a great turning-point in the building of a powerful nation.
The program included chorus pieces "Always looking up to the leader", "Let us keep pace to army song", "Let us sing of unity between army and people" and "Tens of millions of people will become bullets and bombs". Kim Jong Il congratulated the choir on their successful performance and warmly acknowledged the cheers of the audience.
Expressing great satisfaction over the merited choir's wonderful performance, he expressed the expectation and conviction that it would dynamically arouse the army and people to fresh exploits through revolutionary and militant art activities as the standard-bearer and bugler in the struggle in the future, too.
Reception given on Army Day
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of the People's Armed Forces hosted a reception on April 25 on the occasion of the 67th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA). Present on invitation at the reception were military attaches of foreign embassies in Pyongyang.
Addressing the reception, KPA general O Ryong Bang said that the revolutionary armed forces of Korea since their foundation have traversed a glorious and victorious road, frustrating the continued aggressive maneuvers and challenges by the imperialists and reactionaries, and performed enduring feats before the fatherland through their heroic struggle.
He continued: The great leader President Kim Il Sung founded the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, achieved the historic cause of the country's liberation and worked all his life to build up the KPA into invincible combat forces. The respected Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il put forth an original idea of giving priority to the army and brought up the KPA as pivotal forces for accomplishing the Juche cause, thus ushering in a great heyday of army building.
Vietnamese military attach Vu Dinh Thang, who is doyen of the military attaches' corps, in a speech said Kim Il Sung founded the armed forces of Korea and that they defeated Japanese and the U.S. aggressors.
Under the leadership of Kim Jong Il the KPA is creditably defending the socialist country, registering great successes in increasing its defence capabilities and demonstrating its might as an invincible army while smashing all the enemy's moves, he stressed.
Struggle in South Korea
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- The struggle of workers, students and organizations against the authority's fascist suppression is gaining momentum in South Korea, according to a radio report from Seoul. Workers under the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and at least 10,000 students, their supporters held a rally on April 24 in protest against the South Korean authority's "restructuring" and lay-off before staging a demonstration demanding a stop to the suppression of strikers of the Seoul Subway.
More than 10,000 workers among those affiliated with the Federation of Bank Workers Unions under the Federation of Korean Trade Unions held a rally and marched through streets on the same day.Meanwhile, the Medical Insurance Workers Union of South Korea decided to join in the strike of the Federation of Public Sector Trade Unions (FPSTU).
Unionists of KCTU and FPSTU condemned the reptile newspaper Chosun Ilbo for slandering the strike of the subway workers union.
Multifarious functions held to mark Army Day
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- Multifarious functions took place in Pyongyang and local areas on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the Korean People's Army.
Youth and students in Pyongyang held a joint meeting with young soldiers of the KPA on April 25, warmly congratulating them.
Speakers said at the meeting that Korean-style socialism centred on the popular masses is invincible thanks to the KPA, the armed forces of the respected Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il. They noted that the KPA has grown into ideologically and militarily strong invincible forces, demonstrating the might of the revolutionary armed forces of Juche to the world thanks to his Juche-oriented revolutionary leadership art of giving priority to the army.
Then followed a soldiers-people joint art performance. Its program included mixed chorus, a dialogic play and soldiers-people chorus and other numbers.
Meanwhile, art performances were given at theatres in Pyongyang on the Army Day.
In another development, leading officials of party and power organs and people visited headquarters of the KPA units stationed in their areas and handed assistance goods to them.
Evening galas of youth and students took place in Pyongyang and local cities.
Fascist go-ahead for brutal suppression under fire
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- The chief executive of South Korea told the "State Council" to get tough in dealing with a strike of Seoul Subway trade unionists.
Rodong Sinmun today describes his remarks as a fascist go-ahead for brutal suppression of workers in their struggle for right to existence.
The news analyst says: The South Korean workers demand that the authorities stop "restructuring" and lay-off for their livelihood. In order to press their just demand the Seoul Subway trade unionists have had negotiations with the management and the "government" authorities. The strike came after the unionists realized that the negotiations with the management in league with the authorities can never be a way of meeting their demand for right to existence.
The South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) declared that it would have a spate of rallies simultaneously in different areas of South Korea till may day with the Seoul Subway trade unionists' total strike as an occasion so as to intensify struggle.
Students and peasants strengthen solidarity with the struggle of workers.
By threatening to ruthlessly put down the elementary demands for right to existence the South Korean chief executive fully betrayed the true colors as the archenemy of workers.
President's name shines in world
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- The President Kim Il Sung performed immortal exploits before the country and people, times and humankind through his in-depth ideo-theoretical activities, dynamic practice and with his lofty virtues. The esteemed name of the President is now shining all over the world as a symbol of progress and struggle and a banner of victory and glory.
Over 480 organizations and units in at least 100 countries have been named after Kim Il Sung since the inauguration of the "Kim Il Sung Cell" by banana producers under the People's Party of Costa Rica on the coast of the South Pacific Ocean, Juche 34 (1945).
The "International Kim Il Sung Prize" Council organized in New Delhi of India in Juche 82 adopted a decision to institute "International Kim Il Sung Prize," stating he was a lodestar for the emancipation of humankind who created the great Juche idea and ushered in an era of Juche in his early years and an outstanding gifted man who indicated a road for the world people to follow through Korea's example.
The Mozambican government named the street in the center of the capital city where a university is situated Kim Il Sung Street and Guinea at the instance of its President decided to call the Institute of Agricultural Science Kim Il Sung Institute of Agricultural Science.
The appearance of the first Group for the Study of Comrade Kim Il Sung's Works in Mali was followed by the Creation of Committees for the Study of Kimilsungism, the Editorial Department for President Kim Il Sung's Works and the Center for the Practice of Theory of Kimilsungism and others in Japan, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, France, Syria, Nepal, Guyana and many other countries.
There appeared a library and a bookshop named after Kim Il Sung in Tanzania and Lebanon, Kim Il Sung Class and Kim Il Sung Kindergarten in Peru and Mongolia and Kim Il Sung Hall in Benin. The immortal flower Kimilsungia which was raised in the Bogor Botanical Garden of Indonesia is now in full bloom in scores of countries. World people's desire to name significant places and units after the President is growing stronger after his demise.
At least 30 different places have been named after him in the last 5 years. The Agricultural College of Guira de Melena of Havana, Cuba is now called Kim Il Sung Agricultural College and street no. 288 in Phnom Penh of Cambodia Generalissimo Kim Il Sung Street. All this is a clear expression of humankind's ardent desire to hold him in high esteem as a great man of the century, a legendary hero and a great teacher.
Pyongyang Declaration supported
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- Secretary general Guzman Rivera Castaneda of the Revolutionary Socialist Party of Peru issued a statement on April 19 on the occasion of the 7th anniversary of the publication of the Pyongyang Declaration "Let us defend and advance the cause of socialism."
He said in the statement that the declaration serves as an inspiring banner which reaffirmed the truth and justness of the socialist cause and the inevitability of its final victory and dealt a decisive blow to the imperialist's anti-socialist offensive. He continued: All the progressive parties and people of the world who aspire after socialism are united as one under the banner of the Pyongyang Declaration and are turning out in the movement for the rebuilding of socialism.
He noted that his party would struggle to the end to realize the desire of the Peruvian people who aspire after socialism under the banner of the Pyongyang Declaration and expressed support and solidarity for the worker's party and people of Korea in their struggle for the building of a powerful socialist nation and the reunification of the country.
"Bill on emergencies in surrounding areas" under fire
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- A rally denouncing "bill on emergencies in surrounding areas" was held in Japan on April 17. Present at the rally were people of different social standings in Tokyo.
Speakers said that a bill on the updated "guidelines for Japan-U.S. defense cooperation," a topic of discussion at the Japanese diet, is aimed at making the Japanese "Self-Defense Forces" join the U.S. forces in actions on the Korean peninsula when a war breaks out there. The Japanese government should clear up the past wrongdoings against the DPRK, they stressed, adding that Japan should never take part in a war of aggression against the DPRK under the pretext of "threat from North Korea."
The rally published a detailed action program to vigorously wage a "one million signature campaign against the updated 'guidelines for Japan-U.S. defense cooperation' and the 'emergency law'."
Appearance of Pyongyang to undergo radical change
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- A large number of monumental edifices will be built here to mark the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea on October 10, 2000. Among them are Pyongyang-Nampho Express Highway, subways for east Pyongyang and Mangyongdae, the general hospital of Koryo medicine, vaccine plant, April 25 Film Studio of the Korean People's Army and modern high-storied apartment houses.
Pyongyang-Nampho Highway extends 40 odd km from the Mangyongdae fork in Kwangbok Street, Pyongyang, to an approach to Nampho, its satellite city. Its width is 2-3 times that of already-built Pyongyang-Wonsan, Pyongyang-Kaesong and Pyongyang-Hyangsan motorways.
Despite shortage of materials, equipment, fuel and all other supplies, its builders removed several million cubic metres of earth and carried out vast project of installing different structures in a short period by self-reliance and strenuous efforts. They have also finished in the main the construction of roadbed extending scores of kilometers. The construction of April 25 Film Studio and buildings no.1 and 2 of the General Hospital of Koryo Medicine, too, is nearing completion.
The major projects to be carried out in Pyongyang this year will contribute to adorning the WPK's birthday in Juche 89 with brilliant achievements for the building of a powerful state, and give greater benefits to the people.
Last year alone, a new street called September 9 was built in 8-km section between Rimhung rotary near the Kumsusan Memorial Palace and Sinmi-dong, Hyongjesan district. In the street laid out to match landscape, there sprang up 3-7 storeyed apartment houses of various types for thousands of families, radically changing the appearance of northern suburbs of Pyongyang.
Along with the appearance of the new street, thousands of flats and cultural and welfare facilities were built in different districts of the city to provide citizens with better living conditions. Besides, the construction of April 25 Hotel with a total floor space of 135,000 square metres and other several projects were completed.
Tanzanian national holiday marked
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today observes the 35th anniversary of the proclamation of the United Republic of Tanzania (URT).
The author in his signed article notes with the United Republic of Tanzania founded on April 26, 1964, the Tanzanian people could take their destiny in their own hands, eradicate the aftereffects of the colonial rule of imperialists and achieve genuine development in all fields of politics, the economy and culture.
The paper says the URT has pursued a non-aligned policy externally and the friendly relations between the DPRK and the URT have developed on good terms.
Greetings to South African President
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on April 23 sent a message of greetings to South African President Nelson Mandela on the occasion of its National Day.
The message expressed the confidence that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two counties which have been elevated to a new, higher stage after the establishment of diplomatic relations would further expand and develop in the idea of independence, friendship and non-alignment and wished the president and his government bigger successes in the efforts for the country's peace, stability and prosperity.
Greetings to Yugoslav President
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic today on the occasion of the constitution day of Yugoslavia. The message wished the Yugoslav President and people successes in their work for the country's peace and prosperity and territorial integrity and expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger.
U.S. double standard as regards "missile issue" flailed
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry released a statement today as regards the united states' double game in dealing with the "missile issue."
The South Korean authorities reportedly testfired "Hyonmu" missile with a 300 km range on April 10. This is a gross violation of the "memorandum of understanding on missile" signed between the United States and South Korea in 1979, which restricts the range of South Korea-made missiles to 180 kilometers. Nevertheless, the United States expressed the stand that "research and development of missiles with a range of less than 300 km could be allowed," after pretending to "protest" it as a violation of the "memorandum".
The U.S., which raised such a hue and cry over the DPRK's "missile issue" and launch of satellite, favors South Korea's missile development in disregard of the standard laid down in the "memorandum", to say nothing of countermeasure against its missile testfire. It is entirely attributable to the U.S. consistent anti-DPRK policy. This fact clearly shows that the U.S. is applying double standard in handling the "missile issue" as in the "nuclear issue."
At present negotiations on "missile issue" are underway between the DPRK and the United States and the latter raises it as an important outstanding issue related to its interests to prevent missile proliferation in the Korean peninsula. Under such situation, the U.S. connivance at and encouragement to the missile development of the South Korean authorities are, in the long run, an undisguised mockery and an act hostile to the DPRK, its dialogue partner.
The reality evidently proves once again that the DPRK's independent position toward the missile issue is quite right. We will steadily increase our defense capabilities and fully exercise our right to have our own option, no matter what others may say. The United States and the South Korean authorities should not misjudge this will of ours, but stop acting rashly.