1st Japan-S. Korea joint naval exercise starts
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Japan's Maritime "Self-Defense Force" and the South Korean Navy reportedly started the first joint military exercise in waters off Tsushima, near Jeju Island of South Korea on Monday.
Involved in the exercise are three convoys, an antisubmarine patrol plane and ship-based helicopters from Japan's Mritime "SDF" and a destroyer, a frigate and military planes from the South Korean Navy.
Such training as search and rescue, tactical and communication drill will be held during the exercise.
The chief of staff of Japan's Maritime "SDF" said that the joint military exercise would further promote the "mutual understanding and confidence-building" between Japan and South Korea.
The exercise is arousing the DPRK's due vigilance as it is a dangerous military provocation to it.
S. Korea-U.S.-Japan military cooperation denounced
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- The south promotion headquarters for the '99 Grand Pro-Reunification Festival for Independence and Great Unity of the Nation and the 10th pan-national rally held a rally in Seoul on sunday at which it released a joint resolution denouncing the military cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan.
The headquarters in the resolution condemned the U.S. for mapping out the aggressive "operation plan 5027-98" and strengthening military actions for a war on the Korean peninsula and demanded an immediate stop to such moves.
It also called for halt to South Korea-Japan joint military exercise and abolition of the legislation on the "U.S.-Japan Defence Cooperation Guidelines" aimed at invading the Korean peninsula.
Meanwhile, an emergency measure committee was formed at the rally to crush the war maneuvers and economic aggression by the U.S. and Japan against the Korean peninsula and achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.
Struggle for abrogation of "NSL" supported
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- The chairman of the Korean Christian Federation central committee on Monday made public a statement as regards the mounting patriotic struggle of the religionists and all other people of South Korea for abrogation of the "National Security Law" (NSL).
The statement pointed out the "NSL" which brands the north and compatriots as the enemy and blocks the national unity and reunification and independence and democratization of the South Korean society should not be allowed to exist any longer but should be abolished without delay as it is time we brought a new phase in national reunification in the spirit of independence and great unity of the nation.
Praising the struggle for the abrogation of the "NSL" in South Korea as a very just one reflecting the cherished desire of the nation for improved relations between the north and the south and reunification of the country and demand of the South Korean people aspiring after a new independent and democratic life, the statement on behalf of all Christians in the north voiced strong support and encouragement to their struggle.
It continued:
The present South Korean rulers are now vociferating about "amendment of the 'NSL'."
The people from all walks of life in South Korea should not be deceived by such trick but massively and bravely continue their present struggle for complete abrogation of the "NSL" to the last, solidarizing with each other.
KCNA on Japan-S. Korea joint maneuver
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Japan's Maritime "Self-Defense Force" and South Korean Navy reportedly launched a joint naval exercise on Monday.
Involved in the very reckless and provocative exercise are destroyers, escort ships and other battleships, antisubmarine patrol plane and ship-based helicopters from both sides.
The exercise, being staged under the hypocritical signboard of "maritime rescue," is aggressive and criminal in its nature because it is DPRK-targeted maneuver under the simulated conditions of a real battle.
Such very ill-boding military actions are further arousing vigilance of the DPRK. Recently, high-ranking officials in charge of "foreign affairs" and "defense" of Japan and South Korea had a war confab in Tokyo over "security" allegedly to cope with "emergencies" in the Korean peninsula. Meanwhile they undisguisedly called for "attacks" on the DPRK's "missile launching base."
The Japanese reactionaries together with the U.S. warhawks staged military exercises under various names around the Korean peninsula in recent months and have now launched a naval exercise with the South Korean warhawks, in a bid to strengthen the U.S.-Japan-South Korea tripartite military alliance and stage a comeback to the DPRK.
What should not be overlooked in any case is war hysterics of the South Korean warhawks who are participating in the reckless naval exercise aimed at igniting a war against the north, availing themselves of the Japanese reactionaries' moves for reinvasion.
We will never tolerate them who are persisting in such military actions without discretion, instead of drawing due lessons from the responsibility for having brought grave political and military crises to the Korean peninsula by triggering off the west sea incident.
It is a foolish dream for the Japanese reactionaries and the South Korean warhawks to think they can go scot-free in military confrontation.
If they finally provoke a war against the DPRK while staging the reckless military exercise, they will have to pay dearly for it and suffer a miserable defeat.
Letters to Japanese youth organizations
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- The Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League central committee on Monday sent letters to Japanese youth organizations with regard to the recent moves to revive departed spirit of militarism in Japan.
In Japan bills on the updated "Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Guidelines" were passed through the diet and "Hinomaru" and "Kimigayo" codified recently. And attempts are being made to amend the present "peace constitution."
The letters said:
The reactionary ruling quarters of Japan vociferated about non-existent "nuclear and missile threat" from the DPRK in a bid to invent a pretext for overseas aggression.
They went the length of calling for preemptive attack on "missile base" of the DPRK.
Rallies, indignation meetings and seminars have been held in all parts of the DPRK with the approach of August 15 when the Japanese were defeated, they noted, and continued:
In 40 odd years of their colonial rule, the Japanese drafted by force over six million young and middle-aged Korean people and violated chastity and human rights of nearly 200,000 Korean women.
Far from apologizing and repenting of the past crimes, the Japanese government is now hastening moves to become a military giant to realise the old dream of "Greater East Asia Coprosperity Sphere."
If the Japanese reactionary forces hurt the dignity of the DPRK, eight million young Koreans will become human bullets, bombs and missiles and wipe them out from the earth.
Noting that rallies in the DPRK strongly called upon the world progressives to intensify solidarity activities against the Japanese militarists' moves for reinvasion and make the 21st century a new peaceful and prosperous one free from aggression and war, the letters expressed hope that the Japanese youth organizations would respond to their struggle with proper attention and care.
S. Korean rulers hit for reviving ghost of "Yusin"
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary denounces the South Korean rulers' recent inauguration of the "society to honor the memory of President Park Chung Hee" as a criminal move to beautify the "Yusin" dictator and an unpardonable insult to the South Korean people.
It is, indeed, senseless for them to praise Park Chung Hee who committed indelible crimes against the country and the nation, talking about "feats" and "memory", the commentary observes.
Recalling that the chief executive of South Korea, when he was an opposition politician, was on the verge of death several times due to Park's attempts, it goes on:
Why did he inaugurate the "society" and hold the post of its "honorary chairman"? This is, in short, aimed at reviving the ghost of the "Yusin" dictator and currying
Favour with his remnant forces, the military dictatorial forces of the "fifth and sixth republics" and the "civilian"-veiled fascist forces.
It is as clear as noonday that the ruling quarters of the self-styled "people's government" are about to attain the dirty greed for power even by reviving the notorious "Yusin" fascist dictatorship. The revival of the "Yusin" fascist dictatorship, however, will bring nothing but ruin to the rulers.
Letters praising great man carved on rocks
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- There are many magnificent and wonderful rocks in famous mountains of Korea.
Songs, poems and slogans were carved on the rocks to praise the President Kim Il Sung.
The Korean people had "Song of General Kim Il Sung", an immortal revolutionary song, carved on many rocks on the world's famous Mt. Kumgang, Yaksandongdae of North Phyongan Province and other places to convey down through generations the glorious revolutionary history of the President, whom they acclaimed and held in high esteem for the first time in the nation's history spanning thousands of years.
A song "Nostalgia" and a poem "On Autumn Day on Mt. Myohyang," both written by the President, were carved on rocks on famous Mts. Chilbo and Myohyang. The song and poem deal with the story that he liberated the country through the anti-Japanese war with the noble will to free the country from the Japanese at any cost, longing for his native village, and wisely led the Worker's Party of Korea to add glory to the fatherland.
"Long live the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung ", "Long live the Worker's Party of Korea ", "Long live the Juche idea ", "Worker's Party of Korea is the party of comrade Kim Il Sung, he is founder of our party", "Eternal prosperity to Chollima Korea, the country of Juche, the way of which is indicated by the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung " and other slogans were carved on many rocks across the country.
Also carved on rocks were letters "independence, self- sustenance and self-reliance in defence", "self-reliance", "long live three revolutions " and "long live our socialist system " these letters praise the exploits performed by the President while wisely leading the socialist revolution and construction.
Slogans "Let Korea boast the honor of having the greatest comrade Kim Il Sung as leader in her history spanning five thousand years " and "The great leader comrade Kim Il Sung will always be with us" were carved on rocks to tell the visitors that the President Kim Il Sung will live forever with humankind.
DPRK FM spokesman warns U.S. of unpredictable consequences
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- The further the United States escalates pressure upon us, the stronger our reaction will become to bring unpredictable consequences.
This warning was served by the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK answering the question put by KCNA today as regards the recent threatening remarks made by the U.S. Defense Secretary, William Cohen, against the DPRK over the issue of its satellite launch.
Recalling that Cohen during his recent South Korean tour let loose a string of anti-DPRK diatribe, repeating the assertion that North Korea's satellite launch is a "missile launch" and in order to "deter its missile launch", the United States, Japan and South Korea are required to cooperate with each other and react to it by all military means" and that the "DPRK should choose between cooperation and confrontation", the spokesman said:
What should not be overlooked is the fact that having set the pre-launch and post-launch phases of their operation to torpedo our satellite launch, they have put "tough military steps" into a concrete shape to carry it out.
Through his visit to Japan and South Korea Cohen revealed the real aim sought by the U.S. hard-line conservative forces in their dastardly move to build up international opinion by persistently insisting that our satellite launch is a "missile launch".
It was precisely aimed at finding a pretext to ignite a war.
Whether we test-fire a satellite or a missile is a legitimate independent right to be exercised by a sovereign state because it in no way runs counter to the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework as well as to the recognized international convention.
Nevertheless, Cohen threatened to "make a joint counteraction and retaliation" if North Korea launches a missile. His remarks, in essence, openly revealed their attempt to find a pretext to amass aggression forces in the Korean peninsula, round off the U.S.-Japan-South Korea "cooperation" system as a "triangular military alliance" system for a preemptive attack on the DPRK.
The touch-and-go situation prevailing on the Korean peninsula reminds one of a time bomb that may go off any moment.
The U.S. has never gone to such extremes in its military moves as today.
The present situation compels us to maintain a higher vigilance and stronger revolutionary stand than ever before.
We wanted to approach the United States with good faith if it showed good faith. Cohen, however, intends to treat the DPRK with the same "club" as they wielded in Iraq and Kosovo, interpreting our magnanimity and generosity as an expression of weakness and a lack of will. It is a serious miscalculation and a ridiculous gambling.
Our armed forces and single-hearted unity which have become invincible thanks to our party's high-priority army politics, our party's army-first revolutionary leadership regard it as their inborn quality and intrinsic mode of counteraction to return fire for fire and artillery fire for pistol fire.
For the United States to return challenge for our good faith will encourage us to significantly increase our national defence capabilities and continue to push ahead with the missile test-fire, to say nothing of satellite launch.
S. Korean ruler's moves to paralyze "Jongyojo" denounced
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- The director of the worker-peasant department of the central committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea made public a statement on July 29 to denounce the South Korean authorities for the despicable moves to paralyze the function of the "National Teachers Union" (Jongyojo), Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation said.
The statement said:
The South Korean authorities disapproved the right to collective actions of "Jongyojo," which gained its legalization on July 1 through a protracted hard struggle, and took restrictive measures to reduce its size and make it a weak one without grassroots-level organizations.
Such moves show that the real intention of the authorities, which approved the legalization of "Jongyojo", was not to improve teacher's situation and realize genuine education but to bring under control the mounting anti-"government" struggle of teachers and other people.
The authorities' moves to make "Jongyojo" a dead or weak organization are an outrageous challenge to 400,000 teachers and other patriotic people who wish to bring up younger generations into reliable pillars for the future of the country through genuine education.
The present authorities must immediately stop their moves to destroy "Jongyojo" and separate and disintegrate teachers, and unconditionally ensure the right to collective actions and freedom of activities of "Jongyojo."
Pyongyang-Nampho Highway project stepped up
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- A blasting for the removal of one million cubic meters of earth was successful in the Pyongyang-Nampho Highway project.
The blasting was carried out by soldiers of the Korean People's Security Forces and men of the Pyongyang city youth shock brigade for the purpose of removing the last rocky hill from the roadbed of the highway.
They proceeded with blasting for blowing up 700,000 cubic metres and 800,000 cubic meters of earth under the unfavorable conditions of winter in a little more than half a year after the start of the highway project in December last year.
In this period, the young builders have done the earth work of 10,300,000 cubic metres to carry out more than 85 percent of the 40 kilometre-long roadbed project.
They built over 60 minor structures, carried gravel and sand of 500,000 cubic metres and paved the road with sand and rocks of 250,000 cubic metres.
The soldiers and the young builders are now carrying away the blown earth and stepping up the roadbed project by means of vehicles and excavators.
And they are carrying gravel and sand, paving the whole road with sand and rocks and building 10 structures including the Sunhwa river bridge.
The Pyongyang-Nampho Highway is getting into shape as the days go by.
Anti-"Hanchongryon" moves in S. Korea
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities are now hell-bent on the anti-north smear campaign through a venal student organization raising "human rights issue of the north."
They reportedly formed a government-sponsored organization with some general student councils outside the South Korean Federation of University Students Councils (Hanchongryon), a mass student organization of South Korea, some time ago, in a bid to split it. And they are scheming, through this venal organization, to hold a "seminar on the issue of human rights in the north" on the threshold of August 15.
This move has been denounced by South Korean students and even by students under the venal organization as an unreasonable provocation to the north.
Such criminal schemes of the South Korean authorities, who are clinging to the various despicable stratagems to wipe out "Hanchongryon," are bound to fail in face of the strong protest of the South Korean students.
Korea Mangyongsokam Trade Company
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- The Korea Mangyongsokam Trade Company produces nearly 30 varieties of Koryo medicines and other health foodstuff made from natural plants.
Typical of medicines and foodstuff are Uhwangchongsimwon, Angunguhwanghwan, Kyongok tonic, cultivated Hongsam powder, Koryo Hongsam tonic and pollen of the pine and honey.
These Koryo medicines are made from rare herbs on the basis of prescription of "Tonguibogam", a well-known encyclopaedia of medicine written by medical scientist Ho Jun In the mediaeval ages (mid-16th century-early 17th century.)
The company has ultra modern equipment for the processing of raw and other materials, examination, finishing and packing of products. It has a trade-mark designing room and a research room for trial products (development).
Koryo medicines bear the trademark of "crown."
"Crown" Koryo medicines of this company are introduced in many countries in Asia, Australia and north America.
Many countries are sending indents to the company and demand for Koryo medicines is growing in Arab and other countries.
The company is situated in Mangyongdae district, Pyongyang. Its international telephone number is 8502-381-8127 and fax number is 8502-381-4416.
Japanese outcries over "peace" and "security" assailed
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun in a signed commentary today raps at the Japanese reactionaries for chiming in with the South Korean rulers' recent call for the establishment of the "Northeast Asian Security and Cooperation Organization" as if they had a particular interest in the peace and security of northeast Asia.
Soon after the adoption of the war legislation on the "Japan-U.S. Defence Cooperation Guidelines" the Japanese reactionaries are stepping up preparations for overseas aggression, crying for the enactment of "wartime law".
Hence, they are not qualified to talk about peace and security, the commentary observes.
It continues:
"Peace" and "security" on the lips of the Japanese reactionaries are intended to conceal their moves for overseas aggression.
The revived Japanese militarist forces have reinvasion of Korea in mind whenever they enact a law, stage a military drill or purchase arms.
They have been studying a plan for a preemptive attack on the DPRK's "missile launch base" for the last several years.
Underlying their lip-service to "peace" and "security" with outcries about the "threat" from the DPRK is an ulterior intention to justify their misconduct by painting them as victims and victims as assailants.
It is a great mistake for them to consider that their deceptive tactics will work.
The DPRK has followed the moves of the Japanese reactionaries from long ago and is better aware of their ulterior intention than anybody else.
If they again stretch out their tentacles of aggression to the inviolable territory of Korea the DPRK will
never miss the opportunity to mete out a merciless punishment to them.
The Japanese reactionaries are well advised to stop resorting to petty tricks and acting rashly.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from Japanese delegation
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the delegation of the Japanese Friends of Juche, on a visit to Korea.
The gift was handed to an official concerned by head of the delegation Yasuhiko Ebisawa, president of the Japanese Society for the Study of Kimilsungism.
Korea hit by flood
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Unprecedently heavy rain visited various parts of Korea from afternoon of July 30 to August 2.
Downpour and strong wind adversely affected agriculture and other fields.
According to a conservative estimation, more than 40,000 hectares of farmland were submerged, thousands of hectares of farmland washed away or buried under silt and many houses and public buildings inundated or destroyed in Kaesong city and south and north Phyongan provinces.
Kaesong area was hardest hit. There was 415-564 mm rainfall in the area and the water level in rivers Rimjin and Ryesong sharply rose due to high tide.
At present, about 15,000 hectares of farmland are under water, 1,300 odd hectares of farmland were buried under silt or washed away, over 30 sections of roads, 70 sections of embankments and several sections of railroads destroyed, bringing the motor and railway services to a halt and cutting off communications network.
Hundreds of houses and public buildings were either destroyed or submerged.
No small loss of human lives was reported.
Downpour in Unjon, Pakchon, Kwaksan, Jongju and other areas in North Phyongan Province put some 18,000 hectares of paddy and non-paddy fields under water and buried or washed away over 1,000 hectares of farmland. In consequence, crop yield is expected to sharply drop.
200-315 mm rainfall was registered in Paechon, Anak and Yonan in South Hwanghae Province, the nation's granaries, leaving thousands of hectares of paddy and non-paddy fields submerged and several sections of bridges and roads destroyed.
Some parts of Kangwon Province and Sangwon county in Pyongyang were also hit by downpour and strong wind.
Torrential rain left thousands of hectares of farmland submerged in various parts of South Phyongan Province, including Anju, Mundok, Sukchon and Kaechon.
Torrential rain along with typhoon no. 7 is expected to hit overall areas of Korea.