Press conference held by south promotion headquarters
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- The south headquarters for the promotion of the '99 Grand Pro-Reunification Festival and the tenth Pan-National Rally for Independence and Great Unity of the Nation (Grand Pan-National Festival for Reunification) held a press conference at the Myongdong Cathedral in Seoul on July 14 for a successful holding of this year's festival, according to a news report.
At the press conference Sin Chang Gyun, chairman of the south promotion headquarters, published a press statement of the joint preparatory committee of the north, south and abroad for the festival and introduced the festival preparations of the south promotion headquarters and its future program.
He strongly held that if the present South Korean chief executive sincerely wants the country to be reunified, he should take a step to relinquish "cooperation" with outside forces increasing the danger of war so that this year's festival can be held with success.
He vowed to hold rallies and one-million-signature campaign to get the "National Security Law" abolished, all the prisoners of conscience released and unconverted long-term prisoners repatriated immediately and to wage a joint widespread struggle of the north, south and abroad to shatter the new war provocation manoeuvres of the United States, Japan and the South Korean authorities and get a DPRK-U.S. peace agreement signed.
U.S.-S. Korea "joint landing training"
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- The U.S. and the South Korean ruling quarters staged a "joint landing training," an offensive war exercise, in an area of Phohang, north Kyongsang Province, on July 18, according to a South Korean newspaper.
Involved there were one battalion of the marine corps of the "ROK Army" and 1,500-strong reinforcements of the U.S. marines. The exercise was aimed to make a surprise landing operation deep into areas in the "enemy" rear and form a second front and disintegrate the "enemy".
The U.S. and the South Korean ruling quarters agitated a war by mobilizing armoured vehicles, helicopters and various types of equipment.
This proves that their war provocation manoeuvres for implementing the "operation plan 5027-98", a scenario for a reckless war against the north, are being put into practice at an extremely dangerous stage.
S. Korean ruler urged to fulfil promises
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- The (South) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) on July 15 held a press conference and urged the present South Korean ruler to fulfil his promises including an issue of releasing all arrested workers, according to a report.
The KCTU asserted that at a talk with the chairmen of two trade unions -- the (South) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of (South) Korean Trade Unions -- on June 30, Kim Dae Jung clearly promised release of those arrested, lifting of search, probe into the truth behind the suppression of Seoul subway and mint company trade unions, eradication of unreasonable labour actions and observation of collective contracts, but they have not been fulfilled till now.
The KCTU warned that if the present "government" doesn't move to keep the promises, it will wage an all-out struggle including the struggle for the resignation of the "government".
Kwak Ok Chol, top-notch Judoist
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- A Korean boy Kwak Ok Chol won a gold medal at the men's 81 kg category at the 1999 Asia Judo Championship held in China recently.
It was participated in by about 200 excellent men and women Judoists from 29 countries and regions.
He went to the finals by beating all the rivals with his skillful and strong attack. At the final he beat the opponent by Ippon in just 45 seconds by discouraging the latter from displaying feint and special technique. He thus took a gold cup and a gold medal.
He, 26, is enrolled at Korean University of Physical Education.
He took a fancy to judo from his childhood and learned it at a spare-time sports school from the age of 12.
His strong will, wisdom and nimbleness drew attention of experts.
Two years later, he cut a conspicuous figure, receiving professional trainings at Korean University of Physical Education.
Since 1993 he always finished first at "Paektusan Cup," "Mangyongdae Cup" and "Pochonbo Torch Cup" sports tournaments, annual national games, and national championships.
He made his debut at an international game in 1996. He found himself in standings at the world championships held in France in 1997, the 13th Asiad held in Thailand and other international games, to be designated as a world ace Judoist.
Many top-notch Judoists of the world are afraid of games with him as he has strong fighting spirit, diversified skills and stubbornness in attack.
With the approach of the world championship slated in Britain in October this year, he is undergoing an intensive training to repay with good results in games the great favours of the Workers' Party of Korea that enabled him, a son of an ordinary office employee, to become a world top-notch Judoist and a merited athlete.
Health care in DPRK
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- Some time ago, Kang Myong Suk, a woman in Ongjin county, south Hwanghae Province, received a note on health checkups from the Red Cross General Hospital of Korea, drawing particular attention of many people.
Such note is mailed to her twice a year.
An ordinary farmer at the Ongjin county integrated farm, she was supposed right after her birth to die in ten years of congenital valvular disease.
However, under the tender and regular care of first-class hospitals of the country such as the Red Cross General Hospital, the Pyongyang University of Medicine Hospital and the Kim Man Yu Hospital, she could become a mother of two children and is now getting along very well at her age of over 40.
She has so far received from the state such enormous benefits of free medical care that her family can hardly repay through generations.
According to her clinical records, she was hospitalized for a total of 680 odd days and underwent a major operation of nine hours by a team of skilled surgeons. In addition, her pace-setter was replaced three times, a transfusion of blood of scores of litres was performed and very expensive medicine was given for the recovery of her health.
But, she does not know that the benefits of medical treatment she has received so far reach astronomical figures, when counted in cash.
In the DPRK where the greatest man-centred politics has been administered, the system of universal free medical service has been enforced since the hard-fought Fatherland Liberation War period (June 1950-july 1953).
Under the advanced section doctor system enforced later, everyone is given systematic medical service--regular checkups, consultation, preventive inoculation, etc.--By his or her section doctor.
Such practices can be seen anywhere in Korea as a doctor visiting a patient and a hospital sending a notice on health of a patient discharged from it.
The law on public health was adopted in April 1980 to ensure health of all working people.
Sungryong Temple
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- Two old buildings stand side by side in front of the theatre of the Pyongyang schoolchildren's palace in central district. The one to the east is the Sungryong Temple, built in 1429 and rebuilt in the 18th century.
At first, it was dedicated to holding memorial services for Tangun, the founder of ancient Korea, and was called the "Tangun Temple". It continued to be called this for nearly 300 years, although memorial services were held both for Tangun and King Tongmyong, the founder of Koguryo. It was finally renamed the Sungryong Temple in 1725.
It is a relatively large building covering a space of 117.83 square metres, with a facade of 12.85 metres and a flank of 9.17 metres.
A building that shows the long history of Korea and the architecture of the mid-ri dynasty, this temple is of significance to the research into architectural history.
It was destroyed in the years of Japanese occupation of Korea and during the fatherland liberation war (June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953). But thanks to the correct policy of the Workers' Party of Korea on preserving cultural remains it has been restored to its former condition. In addition, the state ensured that it was preserved in the compound of the palace so that youngsters could acquire a first-hand knowledge of Korean history and ancient architecture. It is visited by many Korean children, working people and foreign guests daily.
KNPC statement on Japan's secret study
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- The Korean National Peace Committee (KNPC) released a statement today as regards the recent disclosure of Japan's shocking plan for air raid on the DPRK's "missile base".
It was recently disclosed that the Japanese reactionaries have conducted a secret study of air raid on the DPRK's "missile launching base" since March 1993, the statement notes, and says:
This dangerous military action clearly proves that the Japanese reactionaries' moves for overseas aggression have reached the extremes and they are recklessly scheming to provoke a second Korean war in league with the U.S. imperialists hellbent on anti-DPRK war moves and reinvade and dominate Korea and Asia.
The KNPC, in the name of the entire nation, bitterly denounces such adventurous military moves as an open challenge to the desire of the Korean and the world's peaceloving people for peace and security of the Korean peninsula and as an unpardonable aggressive act of gravely infringing upon the DPRK's sovereignty.
After the second world war, the Japanese reactionaries stated they would contribute to global peace and security.
However, the Japanese imperialists have systematically stepped up, with the backing of the U.S. imperialists, the preparations to turn Japan into a military power and realize overseas aggression.
The Japanese reactionaries' recent legalization of their participation in a war overseas and their talk about "emergencies" in areas surrounding Japan reveal their militaristic ambition to realise the dream of the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" with the backing of the United States.
They should clearly know that seeking an overseas aggression leads Japan to self-destruction and it will be buried at sea for good.
The recent disclosure confirmed once again that the DPRK is made a primary target of their overseas aggression. Under this situation the Korean people and people's army will never tolerate the military adventure of Japan which has neither liquidated its colonial past nor healed the wounds it inflicted upon them.
If the Japanese reactionaries, hell-bent on overseas aggression, dare to unleash a war against the north, the Korean people and people's army will mercilessly wipe out the aggressors with a thousand-fold retaliation and certainly give the vent to pent-up resentment against the enemy.
They are well advised to properly judge their opponent and act with discretion.
IAEA delegation here
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived here today by air.