Floral basket and letter to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a floral basket and a congratulatory letter from the diplomatic corps here on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of his beginning of work at the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea.
On behalf of the diplomatic corps Shaher Mohammed Abdlah, Palestinian Ambassador E. P. to Korea, handed the floral basket and the letter to DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun today.
The Palestinian ambassador and the Syrian charge d'affaires ad interim here presented congratulatory letters respectively to Kim Jong Il.
The letters were handed to officials concerned.
Ministry of Foreign Trade gives photo exhibition and film show
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of Foreign Trade gave a photo exhibition and a film show on Thursday on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's beginning of work at the Worker's Party of Korea central committee.
Economic and trade officials of different embassies here were invited there.
They looked round photos on the revolutionary activities of Kim Jong Il and saw a Korean documentary film.
S. Korean rulers' moves to destroy trade unions
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea central committee issued a statement on Thursday to denounce the moves of the South Korean "prosecution" to destroy trade unions.
The statement said the recently disclosed plot of the "prosecution" to destroy trade unions is part of the planned fascist campaign of the authorities to arrest the South Korean worker's struggle for vital rights and democracy and stamp out the labour movement.
Pointing out that the South Korean rulers have harshly cracked down upon the worker's righteous struggle after branding it as "illegal one" and arrested trade union leaders by instructing "prosecution" to "induce" workers strikes in a cunning way in their bid to destroy trade unions and labour movement, it stressed: The South Korean rulers should immediately dissolve the "prosecution," the "second intelligence service", and halt the fascist crackdown upon the labour movement.
S. Korean war hawks' provocations to the north flailed
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The South Korean war hawks committed armed provocations in the north side's territorial waters off the west coast of Korea. These were a wanton violation of the Korean armistice agreement, an open challenge to the north and premeditated ones intended to unleash a war against the north, stress newspapers here today.
Rodong Sinmun says in a signed commentary: The current provocations were not accidental because the South Korean warthirsty elements infiltrated warships into north side's territorial waters almost every day from several days ago, threatening our defenseless fishing boats, and recklessly bumped against our navy ships several times.
They are repeatedly calling for "full alert" and "strong counteraction," attempting in a far-fetched manner to shift the blame for the incident on to us.
Meanwhile, they have massed a large group of warships on the extension line of the military demarcation line at the west sea to continue infiltrating them into the north side's territorial waters, fuelling the military tension.
In provoking such shocking incident the South Korean authorities seek to mislead public opinion at home and abroad and divert elsewhere the people's attention and thus to tide over their ruling crisis.
They must no longer make a mockery of public opinion, but apologize for these grave provocations and take full responsibility for all the consequences arising therefrom.
A signed commentary of Minju Joson warns that the U.S. and the South Korean rulers should stop acting rashly, properly judging the decisive determination and will of the Korean people and people's army.
Russian National Day marked
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- A film show was held here on Thursday on the occasion of the National Day of Russia.
Invited there were Valery Denisov, Russian ambassador to Korea, and his embassy officials.
Present there were Ri Song Ho, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and chairman of the Korea-Russia Friendship Association, officials concerned and working people.
The participants looked round photos introducing Russia and saw a Russian feature film.
35th anniv. of Kim Jong Il's start of work at C.C., WPK
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Bassam al-Haj Hussein, Syrian charge d'affaires ad interim to the DPRK, gave a reception at the embassy on Thursday on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea. Present on invitation were Choe Thae Bok, alternate member of the political bureau and secretary of the C.C., the WPK, and Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun.
Bassam al-Haj Hussein in his speech said that fundamental revolutionary changes have taken place in the building of the WPK and its activities since June 19, 1964, when Kim Jong Il left an immortal mark on the history.
Over the last 35 years Kim Jong Il has indicated a road for the party, army and people to follow to achieve progress and prosperity and a path to be taken by them to win final victory in the struggle against the U.S. and its allies , thus demonstrating his outstanding strategy and qualities as a wise and great man, thinker and leader.
He expressed the belief that the special friendly and cooperative relations between the parties, governments and peoples of the two countries will continue to expand and develop in all fields thanks to the desire and intentions of the great leaders Kim Jong Il and Hafez al-Assad.
Choe thae bok spoke next.
He said that the Syrian party, government and people are carrying on a dynamic struggle for national unity and the country's progress and development under the uplifted slogan of "unity, freedom and socialism," rallied close around respected President Hafez al-Assad.
The Worker's Party and people of Korea will as ever invariably support the just struggle of the Syrian party and people to fully regain the sovereignty of the country and nation, he said, adding: We will in the future, too, exert all our efforts to develop the friendly relations between the two parties and peoples, true to intention of Kim Jong Il.
Suppression of non-governmental organizations for reunification
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the DPRK Council for National Reconciliation made public a statement on Thursday to denounce the South Korean authorities for arresting the delegates of the National Alliance for Democracy and Unification of South Korea, who had participated in the meeting for remembering Rev. Mun Ik Hwan held in China, on the charge of violation of the "National Security Law."
The statement noted that the meeting was a significant one which was arranged with the strong patriotic desire to open a new phase of national reunification this year true to the intentions of the fallen pro-reunification patriotic martyrs.
Moreover, delegates of the south had done nothing but expressing their firm will to struggle as forerunners of reunification for the realization of what Rev. Mun desired in his lifetime, while remembering him who devoted all his life to national reunification and patriotism, it said, and went on: The South Korean authorities' arrest of the delegates clearly proved that they do not have even an iota of willingness for dialogue with fellow countrymen and for reunification.
It demanded that they make an apology for their treacherous crimes before the whole nation, unconditionally release the arrested delegates without delay and immediately stop the suppression of non-governmental organizations for reunification.
Korean specialty, Yaksan satin
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Nyongbyon county in North Phyongan Province is a traditionally renowned silk producer. The standout is Yaksan satin, a kind of patterned satin named after Mt. Yak there. It is made from silk threads weave and dyed. Yaksan rayon is made from artificial silk threads. It is patterned with beautiful azaleas on Mt. Yak against various colored background.
It is really enticing for its flamboyant patterns and well-blending colors. The main patterns of deep and bold colors and the auxiliary patterns of pale and shy colors combine to give a three-dimensional impression. Brilliantly figured against the mild matching background, Yaksan satin is soft and smooth. Light yet durable and loose, it is a favorite material for women's traditional costumes for spring and autumn.
GFTUK officials meet Bangladesh delegation
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held here on Thursday between officials of the central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) and members of the delegation of the Bangladesh National Union of Labour. Among those present were Ri Jin Su, vice-chairman of the GFTUK central committee, its officials and members of the Bangladesh delegation led by general secretary of the union Badal Khan.
They conversed with each other, sharing friendship.
Kim Jong Il's leadership in building socialist ideological fortress
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- One of the undying exploits General Secretary Kim Jong Il has performed in leading the Korean revolution in the past 35 years is that he has built the invincible socialist ideological fortress.
Rodong Sinmun says this in a signed article today.
His work "Giving Priority to Ideological Work is Essential for Accomplishing Socialism," which was published on June 19, Juche 84 (1995), holds a particularly important place in the history of his great leadership over the building of the impregnable socialist ideological fortress, the article notes, and goes on: It is emphasized in the work that if one adheres to ideological work, socialism triumphs and if one abandons ideological work, socialism falls down.
The sagaciousness of his leadership in building the socialist ideological position into an impregnable bulwark lies in that he has firmly maintained the principle of giving priority to ideological work in all fields. It is his intention that our ideological work should be to thoroughly arm the popular masses with the socialist idea, firmly build up the socialist ideological positioning all the fields of revolution and construction and bring the revolutionary enthusiasm and creative ingenuity of the masses into full play.
His wise leadership also can be found in the fact that he has developed the people's army into one with strong ideology and faith and made its spirit and traits prevalent throughout the country. He has also categorically rejected the imperialists' ideological and cultural poisoning. No matter how desperately the imperialists may try to infuse ideas of bourgeois liberalization into our ranks, our socialist ideological position is impregnable.
Our ideological fortress is a strong bulwark of ideology and a fort of faith which have been built with the faith and will of our people to devotedly safeguard the respected Marshal Kim Jong Il.
Japan's reckless suicidal act
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The Japanese reactionaries' move to launch a reinvasion while following in the footsteps of militarism is a suicidal act of putting their necks into the noose, says Minju Joson today in a signed commentary.
It goes on: Today the Japanese reactionaries have submitted the legislation to designate "Hinomaru" and "Kimigayo" as the national flag and anthem to the diet for discussion. This is designed to instill militarism into the Japanese people and secure cannon fodder for overseas aggression. The aggression armed forces of Japan are now capable of conducting their own operations in any region overseas. Not content with this, the Japanese reactionaries have adopted the legislation for implementing the "Japan-U.S. Defence Cooperation Guidelines", thus fully legalizing their overseas aggression.
They are keen on invading Korea, a vantage-point of geopolitical, military and strategic importance, to use it as a bridgehead for an all-out aggression on Asia as they did in the past. The Asian people are watching with a high degree of vigilance the moves of the Japanese reactionaries to realize their ambition for overseas expansion, availing themselves of the U.S.'s plan for aggression. The Japanese reactionaries are well advised to stop the foolish act of precipitating their self-destruction.
Kim Jong Il's start of work at C.C., WPK celebrated
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Youth forum "Marshal and youth" and wind instrument music and singing squad march of schoolchildren in Pyongyang were held on Thursday to celebrate the 35th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea.
At the youth forum held at the construction site of the Pyongyang-Nampho Express Highway, the speakers praised Marshal Kim Jong Il as the leader of the people, creator of happiness and defender of justice who leads the socialist fatherland, people and youth along the road of ever victory, bearing their destinies on his shoulders.
The speakers and youth brigade members sang in chorus the song "We will devotedly safeguard the headquarters of revolution," pledging themselves to be the young vanguard who knows only the marshal and heroes who are ready to be human bombs and suicide attackers in defence of his ideas and leadership.
The wind instrument music and singing squad march proceeded to monument to party foundation from Kim Il Sung square via the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium, the Tower of the Juche Idea and the Arch of Triumph, singing songs "Marshal is excellent marksman and we are direct hits" and "Let's hold higher the red flag" and being given a hearty welcome by citizens.
U.S. dispatches warships, aircraft on high alert
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The command of the U.S. pacific fleet was reported on June 16 to have promptly dispatched aegis cruiser "Vincent" and several other modern warships to waters off the Korean peninsula "as regards the tense situation in the waters off the West Sea of Korea."
The command unveiled its decision to redeploy some of its military aircraft including electronic warfare planes.
In another development, the U.S. Defense Department announced that the carrier "constellation" belonging to the third U.S. fleet will be soon deployed in the waters near the Korean peninsula and that two wings of "F-18" fighters, officers of the "patriot" command and 8 "F-16" fighters have been put on the alert to "cope with the emergency."
The U.S. madcap arms build-up and heightened posture arouse deserved vigilance as they aggravate the tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Intensified war provocations against north
Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities are frantically escalating their adventurous provocations against the north in waters off the west coast of Korea, according to a radio report from Seoul.
Following the South Korean war hawks' issue of order to all the "ROK" army units to be on "emergency alert", the number of sortie fighters has doubled since June 16 and all the combat flying corps under the air force operation command are ready for "immediate sorties."
They also doubled the number of RF-4CS known as up-to-date intelligence plane to intensify aerial espionage on the north. Meanwhile, the U.S. additionally deployed high-altitude strategic reconnaissance plane U-2 to carry out with the South Korean authorities a joint aerial espionage on the DPRK. Military mobilization order has been issued to the police, too.
By an order "operation emergency no.2" issued to the police across South Korea on June 15, all the policemen are not allowed to have an outing or leave and have been placed on "emergency duty" while the combat police has been alerted to go into action."
On the 15th, the "people's government" issued an a order to "strengthen the service posture" to all the government employees across the country. Under the order, they are not permitted to travel far and should take the same "stand-by posture" as during the wartime. All facts go to prove that the South Korean authorities are undisguisedly putting the provocative "operation plan 5027-98" into practice.