KCTU plan for 2nd strike

Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- The (South) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions called a press conference in Seoul on May 7 and announced it would wage an all-out struggle including the second general strike from May 12 to protest against the South Korean authorities' continued suppression of trade unions, said a Seoul-based radio. The organization decided to organize strikes of the "metal workers unions", "taxi drivers unions" and "federation of hospital workers unions" on May 12 and stage a street demonstration on May 13 and 14 and a large-scale mass rally in Seoul on May 15. It strongly demanded withdrawal of "restructuring" threatening vital rights of workers and reduction of working hours.

Impudent behavior

Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- The Japanese chief executive in a message contributed to the New York Times a few days ago made nonsense that "he is converting Japan into a country better prepared to contribute to peace and prosperity in the 21st century." Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary hitting out at this piffle says: Japan is not a peace-loving state which its authorities project whenever an opportunity presents itself. What they are seeking is an overseas aggression, not peace. It is the Japanese reactionaries' wild ambition to realize the dream of "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" in the 21st century which they failed to do in the 20th century. Their mere talk about "peace" is an insult to peace. Ridiculously enough, Japan is loudmouthed about "global partnership" even before settling its past and getting rid of the disgraceful name of enemy state. Peace and prosperity on the lips of the Japanese authorities precisely mean overseas aggression and economic plunder.

Repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners demanded

Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- The present chief executive of South Korea repeats his assertion that the north-origin unconverted long-term prisoners must be "exchanged" for the "'ROK' army POWS and those kidnapped by the north." In this regard, those defectors living in Hamhung city, south Hamgyong Province, unanimously said that they were neither taken prisoner nor abducted by the north. So Yong Su, 65, said he served in the 31st regiment of the second division of "ROK" army before voluntarily defecting to the north to join the Korean People's Army (KPA) in January 1951, unable to endure any longer harsh physical torture by officers. While fighting against the enemy on the demarcation line of Kimhwa, Kangwon Province, I keenly realized that KPA officers loved and valued their soldiers like their real brothers, he added. Om Jong Man, 66, said the South Korean rulers describe those who defected to the north as "POWS", but nobody believes this. They voluntarily crossed the front at the risk of their lives, refusing to serve in the puppet army any more and defected to the north, he stressed. He said he joined the KPA in October 1950 after serving the puppet army for over one month. Pak Jang Hyon, 51, said the fishermen from the south are those who voluntarily defected to the north in search of means of living. He said, deeply moved by the happy life of the fishermen in the north, he defected to the north aboard the boat "Anyong 35," taking the opportunity of fishing near waters off the north in February 1972. Kim Pyong Do, 49, said: How can those, who defected to the north of their own accord, be called "those who were kidnapped by the north?" In December 1973 when I was catching fish, I was caught in rough storm at the sea. I was prepared for death. Fortunately fishermen in the north saved me. I was given hospital treatment and cordially received in the north. I settled in the north of my own accord to live under the benevolent system. The defectors said there is no one to be "exchanged" for the north-orgin unconverted long-term prisoners in the north, and urged the South Korean authorities to unconditionally send them back to their hometowns at an early date.

U.S. hit for slandering DPRK over "terrorism"

Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK answered a question put by KCNA today as regards the U.S. recent groundless anti-DPRK diatribe over "terrorism." He recalled that the U.S. Department of State in the April 30 "annual report" on terrorism groundlessly described the DPRK as a "sponsor of terrorism." He went on to say: The recent anti-DPRK diatribe compels the DPRK to make clear its stand once again. As was repeatedly said, the DPRK, a dignified U.N. member nation, has always been opposed to all forms of terrorism and any support for it. The U.S., clean indifferent to this fact, still puts the DPRK on the "list of terrorist nations." this is entirely attributable to the U.S. unchanged policy hostile towards the DPRK . In persistently describing the DPRK as a "terrorist country," the U.S. seeks to justify its refusal to adopt measures such as the lift of sanctions it is obliged to do under the DPRK -U.S. agreed framework, to end the hostile policy toward the DPRK . It is well known to the world that the U.S. is the source of the worst terrorism in the world. But the U.S. acts as if it were a "judge", slandering other countries one way or another, only to invite ridicules and condemnations. The U.S. had better fulfil its obligations at an early date.

Gift to Kim Jong Il from Cuban delegation

Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il received a gift from the Cuban government trade delegation on a visit to the DPRK . Minister of Foreign Trade Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, head of the delegation, handed the gift to Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, today.

Kim Yong Nam meets Cuban delegation

Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) --Kim Yong Nam, President of t The presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK , met and conversed with a Cuban government trade delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Trade Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Present there were Kang Jong Mo, Minister of Foreign Trade, and Jose Manuel Inclan Embade, Cuban ambassador to Korea.

DPRK, Cuba sign protocol

Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- The 19th meeting of the inter-governmental economic, scientific and technological consultative committee of the DPRK and Cuba took place here. A protocol of the meeting was signed at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Present were Kang Jong Mo, Minister of Foreign Trade, and other officials concerned on the DPRK side and on the Cuban side a Cuban government trade delegation led by Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, Minister of Foreign Trade, and Jose Manuel Inclan Embade, Cuban ambassador to Korea. The protocol was signed by the DPRK and Cuban foreign trade ministers. A 1999 protocol on commodity exchange between the governments of the two countries was signed on the same day.