KPA navy command spokesman on S. Korea's anti-DPRK campaign
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the navy command of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued a statement today over the armed conflict that took place on the west sea on June 15. The spokesman says: The South Korean authorities are continuing a vicious anti-DPRK smear campaign, misleading world opinion over the armed conflict that took place on the west sea on June 15.
They talk as if they had had no other choice but to respond to the gunfire started by KPA soldiers. This is a sophism of those who have no shame. The exchange of fire was an adventurous act for provocation of war which the South Korean authorities had planned, prepared in secrecy and promoted. This is illustrated by the fact that "Defence Minister" Jo Song Thae, "chairman of the joint chiefs of staff" Kim Jin Ho and other military leaders discussed the "bump-and-push operation plan" for the fighting and commanded the operation on the spot.
They staged a drill for the operation with many warships in the waters off Yonphyong Islet from June 4. They began making test naval provocations by ramming our warships on June 9 and escalated the degrees of the provocations from June 11. Naval warships of the KPA contained their provocations each time with high vigilance and displayed strong patience and self-restraint lest the situation should develop into an exchange of gunfire.
The Defence Minister, Jo Song Thae, swollen-headed with war fever, visited bellicose elements involved in the "bump-and-push operation" on June 12, gave them a "pep talk" and goaded them into more reckless provocations. The President, Kim Dae Jung, sent them a "congratulatory message" on a "successful" operation on June 10. Kim Jin Ho and other military leaders who were directing the operation called for not only ramming the northern warships but firing first and sinking them.
From the 11th the South Korean authorities began massing a big group of warships including tank-landing craft, destroyers and escort ships in the waters of the west sea where the incident took place. From the morning of the 15th, they attempted to "block the advance" of our naval ships, disturbing their routine patrol on the basis of these preparations. When this proved to be futile, they entered into the "bump-and-push operation" accompanied by firing bullets and shells, according to the prearranged scenario from 9:12 of the same day.
In face of these reckless armed provocations of the army, naval warships of the heroic Korean People's Army took a self-defence measure to deal crushing blows to them. In that engagement, more than ten enemy battleships were either burned or severely damaged and they had no alternative but to flee, taking many dead bodies and remnants with them.
No matter how hard the army may try to shift the blame for the incident onto us, they can neither conceal their steadily escalated armed provocations nor flee from their responsibility for having led the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of war under any circumstances. In order to hide their shameful defeat in the engagement the enemy has instructed those officers and men who had participated in the "operation" to stay indoors and ordered them to "take such measures to keep military secrets" as putting camouflage covers on the badly damaged battleships and military equipment.
However, they can never conceal their crimes as provocateurs and their miserable plight, no matter how strictly they may enforce press censorship and gag the witnesses, as it is impossible to hide the gimlet protruding from a sack. The South Korean authorities should immediately stop such sinister anti-DPRK smear campaign as distorting the incident to mislead public opinion, and apologize to the nation, taking full responsibility for all the grave consequences arising from their intentional armed provocations.
We state once again clearly that we will never pardon anyone who encroaches upon our territory, even a blade of grass. Our warning is that if the South Korean authorities persist in military confrontation, misjudging our self-restraint, they will suffer a bitterer defeat in face of merciless retaliatory strikes by our servicemen.
Kim Jong Il mourns death of famous artist
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il on Friday sent a wreath to the bier of Jong Yong Man, chairman of the c.c., the Korean Artists Union and vice-director general of the Mansudae Art Studio, expressing deep condolences over his death. The late Jong was a "Kim Il Sung Prize" winner, a twice Labour Hero and a People's Artist. He produced a number of famous fine art works including Korean painting "the Evening Glow Over Kangson" and "the Red Glow Over Lake Chon on Mt. Paektu" and thus greatly contributed to breaking new ground in Korean painting and further developing the Juche-oriented fine art. He died of a fatal disease at the age of 61 on Thursday.
Greetings to Seychellois President
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to president France Albert Rene on June 14 on the occasion of the National Day of Seychelles. In the message Kim expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would further strengthen and develop. He also wished the President and people of Seychelles greater success in their work for building a prosperous, new society.
Continued dispatch of U.S. armed forces to Korea
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- The United States is reinforcing its armed forces in South Korea as a tense situation has been created on the Korean peninsula due to the South Korean authorities' military provocations against the north on the West Sea of Korea. According to Japan's newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun Thursday, the U.S. is scheming to continue dispatching warplanes including RC-135, EA-6b, AWACS and P-3C and warships of the 7th fleet such as a nuclear-powered submarine of "Los Angeles" class and aegis.
Under this plan, the U.S. warplanes will all be flying to South Korea over June 17-18 while those vessels arriving to waters around the Korean peninsula in some days, the paper reported. On Wednesday they also instructed an aircraft carrier, Kitty Hawk, in the Persian gulf after Yugoslav crisis, to move toward Yokosuka, Japan, to "cope with the tense situation of the Korean peninsula." Such massive reinforcement of the United States clearly reveals the invariable, aggressive nature of the U.S. war hawks seeking to ignite a war in Korea at any cost.
35th anniv. of start of work of Kim Jong Il at WPK Central Committee
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- An art performance "Great 35 Years" was given by the Mansudae Art Troupe in Pyongyang on June 18 to mark the 35th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea. Senior officials of the party and state including Kim Yong Nam and Jon Pyong Ho appreciated the performance. The audience was deeply impressed to see the performance which successfully represented the immortal exploits performed by Kim Jong Il in the efforts to make the country strong and prosperous true to the noble intention of the President Kim Il Sung.
The performers truthfully depicted the tremendous changes that have taken place in the DPRK under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il and the mettle of the Korean people who are performing heroic feats in the on-going general march to build a powerful socialist state as early as possible. Meanwhile, art performances were given by schoolchildren's art circles at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace and the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Palace on the same day.
S. Korean prosecution's "induction of strike" denounced
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- The central committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) released a statement on June 15 denouncing the South Korean prosecution for "inducing" the mint company trade union to "strike," according to a Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation.
The statement says: The suppression of the mint company trade union in South Korea is not accidental but premeditated vicious terrorism against the trade union movement as it was plotted in a restaurant of the "Intelligence Service" and put into practice by the prosecution at the instruction of "Chongwadae." The sinister aim sought by the crafty Kim Dae Jung "government" in this is to stamp out the labour movement which is spearheading the mass struggle and, furthermore, to root out the national democratic movement in a bid to maintain its traitorous colonial fascist dictatorial system.
The Kim Dae Jung "government" can not flee from responsibility for this incident, the statement says, and goes on: If the truth behind the suppression of the mint company trade union is to be probed into, Kim Dae Jung should disclose his crimes and the true nature of his anti-worker policy and he himself should be interrogated for this incident. Kim Dae Jung should not resort to crafty deceptive trick to shift the responsibility onto a few hirelings of the prosecution but immediately dismantle the prosecution that has been reduced to "2nd intelligence service" and step down without delay before meeting a more miserable end.
Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia greenhouse built in Sariwon
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- The Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia greenhouse has been built in Sariwon, a gateway to Pyongyang. Covering more than 10,000 square metres, all its sides and roof are covered with glass. The greenhouse is capable of cultivating more than 10,000 Kimilsungia and Kimjongilias a year. It has an exhibition hall, a tissue culture room which is capable of cultivating and propagating flowers on a scientific basis, a room for technical preparation, a dormant room, an air cooler room and other facilities.
An opening ceremony of the greenhouse took place on June 18.
Present there were Kim Ki nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, officials concerned, working people, youth and students in the city. At the end of the ceremony the participants went round with keen interest Kimilsungia and Kimjongilias in full bloom in the greenhouse.
Inter-governmental cooperation between DPRK and Bulgaria
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- A protocol and agreements between the DPRK and Bulgarian governments were signed in Sofia on June 16. A protocol of the 21st meeting of the Inter-Governmental Economic, Scientific and Technical Consultative Committee between the DPRK and Bulgaria was signed by DPRK vice-Minister of Foreign Trade Kim Pong Ik and vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Bulgaria, Mariana Asenova while an agreement on the promotion and protection of investment was signed by vice-Minister Kim Pong Ik and Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Bulgaria Velentin Vessilev. An agreement on the prevention of double taxation of income and property was signed by DPRK ambassador to Bulgaria Kim Man Ik and Bulgarian Finance Minister Muravei Radev.
Rodong Sinmun on 35 years of great leadership
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- The history in which General Secretary Kim Jong Il has led the Worker's Party and revolution of Korea is shining as a glorious history which fully demonstrated traits as an outstanding and tested political veteran in our era, says Rodong Sinmun in an editorial today.
The editorial goes on: The history of his glorious leadership represents a history of an experienced and tested statesman who has strengthened and developed our party into an invincible party and created the worldwide example in building a working-class revolutionary party. Ever since the very day he began his revolutionary activities in his early years he has put his soul and life into the work to develop the WPK founded by the President Kim Il Sung into an invincible party.
In this course he has prepared all the party members to be true loyal subjects and dutiful sons and confidently ensured the oneness of the leader's idea and leadership within the party under the slogan of modeling the whole party on the Juche idea.
He has made a glorious history of a statesman of brilliant commander type who has resolutely defended our socialism with the unique policy of giving priority to the army. He has led the revolution with priority given to the army, fully demonstrating distinguished quality and trait as a great statesman, an invincible and iron-willed commander who is taking the destiny of the country and the revolution on his shoulders to the end.
It is thanks to his great policy of always attaching importance to military affairs that the Korean People's Army has grown to be an army of the party and the revolution in which the revolutionary army trait is perfectly established in the whole army, a matchless army equipped with powerful offensive and defense means and that the DPRK is throwing its rays as an invincible socialist bulwark which no enemy dares to attack.
He has also created a history of a great people's leader who achieved the single-hearted unity of the revolutionary ranks on the highest level and wrought epoch-making miracles in the socialist construction with his noble benevolent politics. His great benevolent politics has become a decisive factor in changing the whole society into a most solid integral whole of ideology, purpose and moral obligation and winning a brilliant victory in the socialist construction. The last five years have been a period of the most rigorous ordeal for the Korean revolution.
Kim Jong Il visits more than 7,400 units in 35 years
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- It is 35 years since General Secretary Kim Jong Il started his work at the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea. In this period he covered more than 300,000 km to give on-site guidance and it took him over 3,900 days, which is tantamount to over 10 years, to visit at least 7,400 units. These units included party organs at all levels, construction sites of revolutionary places, units of the people's army, industrial establishments, co-op farms, scientific, educational, cultural, health and press institutions.
In this period he took a short and uncomfortable sleep and took rice-balls as his meals, not having any holidays and rests. In order to build an ideologically powerful socialist country, he proclaimed the program to model the whole society on the Juche idea in February, Juche 63 (1974), the first time of its kind in history.
He toured in three days of July, Juche 57 (1968) over 10 revolutionary sites in Ryanggang Province which are associated with the President Kim Il Sung's exploits in the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle. Kim Jong Il gave on-site guidance on more than 1,900 occasions for the development of literature and arts, thus ushering in a great heyday of Juche-oriented literature and arts.
Over the past 35 years he has guided the work at more than 1,900 units of the people's armed forces on the spot. In recent 5 years alone he traveled over 48,000 km to inspect more than 430 army units, thus significantly increasing the country's defence capabilities.
In order to make country rich and powerful, he gave valuable instructions to the hwanghae iron and steel complex more than 100 times in a little over one year and sent automation devices, elements and equipment on 30-odd occasions, thus creating a model of comprehensive automation and seeing to it that it was followed by the nation's metal, chemical, building material and other industrial fields.
For the development of agriculture, he guided the work on 10 co-op farms of 5 counties in a day. He traveled 800 km overnight to learn about the farming in 3 provinces and elaborate on the orientation and ways of applying Juche farming methods.
It was thanks to his on-site guidance that the world's famous west sea barrage was built in 5 years, Kwangbok Street, the May Day Stadium and 260 other construction projects were completed in a little over 2 years and a miracle of the 90s was reported in the first-stage construction site of the Anbyon Youth Power Station.
In January last year, he covered 2,400 km despite severe snowstorm to give on-site guidance to 19 industrial establishments in Jagang Province, thus proving the validity of self-reliance.
His historic guidance reached also scientific and research institutions. Recent years witnessed more than 100 scientific and technological achievements of global significance, among them the successful launch of the first satellite 100 percent with our own strength and technology.
Enduring 35 years
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Friday carried a political essay titled "Enduring 35 Years" on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Worker's Party of Korea Central Committee.
The political essay said: The biggest exploit Marshal Kim Jong Il has performed over the last 35 years is that he has built the most powerful two pillars, the two weapons, for accomplishing the cause of Juche and building a powerful nation by pushing ahead with the party building in parallel with the army building true to the far-sighted revolutionary guidance of the fatherly leader President Kim Il Sung.
The past 35 years in Korea were characterized by the unprecedently complicated situation and rigorous trials. But, in this period, the revolutionary army of Korea has been blessed with the wisest leadership of the great WPK and the party has enjoyed the most creditable backing and support of the revolutionary army.
Without this, our socialism would have collapsed and the country gone to ruin in face of the unprecedented difficulties and trials. But the Korean people are now dynamically accelerating the 2nd grand Chollima march to build a powerful nation of Juche. Underlying this march is the might of the invincible party and the strong army that have been built simultaneously since 35 years back.
A review of the whole history of Marshal Kim Jong Il's revolutionary activities shows that he has always given utmost importance to the revolutionary army while guiding the work of the WPK. It is his noble leadership over the revolution with priority given to the army to strengthen the party by strengthening the army and to establish the party trait through the display of revolutionary army trait.
It is thanks to this leadership that the army has grown to be an invincible one and its might and model have become the quality and appearance of the WPK, with the result that the entire party membership have been prepared as stalwart soldiers.
Both the Worker's Party and the revolutionary army of Korea are now standing like an impregnable fortress in the confrontation with all class enemies including the imperialists, in checking the poisoning of corrupt capitalist ideas and in foiling the despicable slanders of the imperialist reactionaries.
The last 35 years in the history of the Korean revolution are the history of the victory of the great revolutionary philosophy that the party means the army and vice versa. It is the great history in which the party building has been pushed ahead along with the army building in accordance with this steel-like will and a sure guarantee has been provided for accomplishing the cause of Juche and building a powerful nation. The Korean revolution which has the great history that began with rifles and the great party built with rifles will always emerge victorious.
Moves to provoke war will lead to destruction
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- The U.S. conservative hard-liners were reported to have been closeted recently with the South Korean authorities over steps to keep a "joint defence posture" and strengthen the "relations of security and cooperation" and have cried for "strong counteractions." This has come in for criticism by a signed commentary of Minju Joson today.
It describes this as an intentional move of the U.S. conservative hard-liners to goad the South Korean authorities to ignite a second Korean war of aggression. The commentary goes on: The United States has finished the preparations for a second war of aggression on Korea. Their moves are leading the situation on the Korean peninsula to an acute pitch of strain. The latest moves of the U.S. conservative hard-liners are as foolish and stupid as a tiger-moth jumping into flames.
Rodong Sinmun on S. Korean rulers' fascist crackdown
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun in a signed commentary today denounces the fascist repressive campaign of the South Korean ruling quarters. It says: The South Korean rulers, some days ago, arrested more than 20 students and army soldiers, who were members of what is called "Hanyang Organization for Anti-U.S. National Salvation", on the charge of violating a fascist law.
In a bid to justify their fascist outrage, they alleged that members of the organization supported the election of "candidates", followers of the Juche idea, as chairman of the general student council of Hanyang University and chairman of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils and wire-pulled the student movement behind the scene.
This repressive move of the South Korean rulers is a vicious fascist repressive offensive against the democratic forces including the progressive youth and students as well as a trite fascist plot to intentionally exacerbate the situation in the country through the suppression of the people at the point of the bayonet and saber-rattling and thus bridge over the ruling crisis.
Their suppression of the patriotic activities of the organization members is part of their criminal attempts to stamp out the people's massive anti-"government" struggle at whatever costs. The grave military provocations committed by the South Korean rulers against the north in the west sea were timed to coincide with their offensive to crack down upon patriotic-minded democratic forces by linking them with the north in a bid to mislead public opinion at home and abroad and tide over the ruling crisis.
This fascist plot, however, will not go down with anyone in the age of civilization, much less a remedy to prolong their remaining days.
Anniv. of Kim Jong Il's start of work commemorated in Russia
Moscow, June 17 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held in Moscow on June 16 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea. The chairman of the Council of the Union of Communist Parties-the Communist Party of the Soviet Union said in his report that over the last 35 years Kim Jong Il has strengthened the WPK organizationally and ideologically and led the DPRK to victory, achieving great successes.
Noting that Kim Jong Il has comprehensively developed in depth the Juche idea founded by President Kim Il Sung and formulated it into an integral system, he stressed Korea has become a beacon of invincible socialism under his leadership.
Nadezhda Garifulina, member of the Council of the Union of Communist Parties-the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and other speakers said that Kim Jong Il is the leader of world stature, who is identical to Kim Il Sung.
Saying that Korea is winning one victory after victory shattering all isolation and suffocation moves of the U.S. and world reactionaries, they stressed: This is the result of the wise leadership, iron will and courage of Kim Jong Il. Not only Russia but all other countries of the world should take the Juche idea as the guiding idea in revolution and construction.
Kim Jong Il highly praised
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Luis Mateo Munoz, general secretary of the Socialist Party of Peru, issued a statement on June 11 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. The statement said that it is a great fortune of the Peruvian and other Latin American people to have Kim Jong Il as the great leader for the 21st century and that with him as its supreme leader Korea has become a model in realizing the cause of global independence and a torchlight of humankind's struggle for socialism.
It further said: All progressive parties in Latin America including the socialist party of Peru will fully discharge their mission, keeping in mind that to realize the cause of independence just means to remain loyal to the leadership of Kim Jong Il and defend socialist Korea, an eternal torch for the liberation of humankind. The socialist party of Peru wholeheartedly hopes he would enjoy a long life in good health for the ultimate victory of socialism and world revolution and make greater success in his work.
U.S. military occupation of South Korea denounced
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- A gathering of civilians to take back the U.S. military bases-our land released a statement denouncing the U.S.'s occupation of South Korea, a South Korean newspaper said.
Recalling that the U.S. military occupation of South Korea deprived its people of human rights and sovereignty, the statement said: It is the deplorable reality that the U.S. forces have the prerogative of operational command over the local army, crimes committed by GIs must be overlooked and that environment is being seriously degraded. All this is due to the humiliating "status of forces agreement".
Pointing out that the U.S. forces present in South Korea are allowed to occupy many facilities and areas free of charge for an indefinite period, the statement demanded return of them and payment of rent. Noting that the environment pollution in and around the U.S. military bases is very serious, it urged the South Korean authorities to take measures to solve this problem.
Seminars on Kim Jong Il's work
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- A joint seminar on General Secretary Kim Jong Il's immortal work "Giving Priority to Ideological Work is Essential for Accomplishing Socialism" was held on June 9 under the co-sponsorship of the society for the study of the Juche philosophy of Meerut University of India and the Indian Ghaziabad Society for the Scientific Study of Self-reliance.
Speakers highly praised the brilliant achievements of President Kim Il Sung for the Korean and world revolution and the feats of Kim Jong Il who has strengthened and developed the Worker's Party of Korea into a steel-like party over the past 35 years.
They said that Kim Jong Il is a distinguished thinker and theoretician who has developed and enriched the Juche idea as a guiding idea of the country and the times, a peerless leader who has strengthened and developed the WPK into a most powerful and ever-victorious party in the world, and an experienced and veteran statesman and the great strategist who has resolutely defended the Korean socialism and displayed the dignity and honor of socialism to the world.
Under the wise guidance of Kim Jong Il possessed of the iron will and outstanding leadership ability, Korean socialism is emerging victorious despite the imperialists' encirclement and intensive isolation and suffocation moves, they stressed. A message of greetings to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the seminar.
Meanwhile, a seminar on this work was held by the Group for the Study of the Youth Movement Idea of Comrade Kim Jong Il in Patensher, Guyana.
There is no limit to our retaliatory blow to enemy
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities committed armed provocations against the north at the west sea of Korea at the instigation of the United States. They infiltrated scores of warships of the army for more than ten consecutive days from June 4 for a "bump and push operation." On the 15th, they dispatched a group of reinforced warships to intentionally bump against warships of the navy of the Korean People's Army and fire some 150 shells and more than 7,000 machine-gun bullets at them.
According to a statement of the spokesman for the KPA navy command, in face of these armed provocations of the enemy, naval warships of the KPA took a self-defence measure to deal crushing blow to them. In that engagement, more than ten enemy battleships were either burned or severely damaged and they had no alternative but to flee, taking many dead bodies and remnants with them.
In order to hide their shameful defeat in the engagement, the enemy has instructed those officers and men who had participated in the "operation" to stay indoors and ordered them to "take such measures to keep military secrets" as putting camouflage covers on the badly damaged battleships and military equipment.
However, they can never conceal their crimes as provocateurs and their miserable plight, no matter how strictly they may enforce press censorship and gag witnesses.
The South Korean authorities should apologize to the nation, taking full responsibility for all the grave consequences arising from their intentional armed provocations. It is our quality to answer "retaliatory blow" of the enemy with retaliatory blow, an all-out war with all-out war. There is no limit to our retaliatory strike at the enemy and it is merciless.
National meeting held
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- A national meeting was held at the April 25 House of Culture here today, 35 years after General Secretary Kim Jong Il started his work at the Worker's Party of Korea Central Committee. Jon Pyong Ho, politburo member and secretary of the WPK Central Committee, made a report at the meeting.
The start of the respected Kim Jong Il's work at the WPK Central Committee, the supreme headquarters of the Korean revolution, on June 19, Juche 53 (1964) was a historic event which provided a sure guarantee for strengthening and developing the WPK and carrying to completion the revolutionary cause of Juche, the reporter said, and went on: He is an outstanding leader of the revolution and a most experienced veteran statesman in the present times, who has 35 year-long career as head of the party, state and army.
His greatest feat for the Korean revolution is that he has strengthened and developed the WPK into a revolutionary party of Juche type named after the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung and cemented the single-hearted unity of the party and the revolutionary ranks as firm as a rock. His greatness has been more fully demonstrated especially in the recent five years of struggle. His distinguished leadership over revolution with priority given to the army is a model of socialist politics and provides a decisive guarantee for victory of the Korean revolution.
The reporter said all the party members and other people and servicemen should single-heatedly uphold his ideas and leadership with loyalty and filial piety, cherishing deep in mind the unshakable faith that the bright future of the country and the nation and the final victory of the revolution are firmly guaranteed by his guidance. Attending the meeting were Kim Yong Nam and other senior party and state officials.