Kim Jong Il guides Ryanggang Province
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il gave on-the-spot guidance to the Taehongdan county integrated farm and the Mubong workers district in Samjiyon county, Ryanggang Province.
Kim Jong Il first went to the Hongam branch of the Taehongdan county integrated farm and acquainted himself in detail with farming and mechanization of farm work there.
Having got familiar with every detail of the potato farming, he highly appreciated the agricultural workers for having brought in an unusual bumper crop.
Saying it was very important to take thoroughgoing measures to carry, store and process potatoes in keeping with the expected sharp increase of potato production, he indicated the ways of implementing them.
Watching farm machines of different types including potato sowing machines, potato harvesters and potato graders at work in the field of the branch farm for quite a long time, he acquainted himself in detail with their mechanism and efficiency. He put forward a task to build the integrated farm into a model farm in a short period where a comprehensive mechanization has been fully realized.
Going round the research rooms and experimental plots of the potato institute of the Academy of Agricultural Science, he underscored the need for the scientists to breed more high-quality seeds suited to the climatic and topographical conditions of the country and give in time solutions to all the technical problems in potato cultivation.
He called at houses of discharged soldiers of the branch farm and took warm care of their living.
He extended his warm greetings to all of the 1,000 discharged soldiers who volunteered to work in Taehongdan, saying that they are true revolutionaries and ardent patriots who performed brilliant feats at the posts for defending the country yesterday and are now devoting themselves to realizing the party's intention in the countryside.
He then gave on-site guidance to the Mubong workers district in Samjiyon county.
After acquainting himself in detail with the community electrification the workers district has realized by building minor power stations by its own efforts, he called upon all the units to follow the example of the district.
He was accompanied by Kim Kuk Thae and Kim Yong Sun, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, and Jang Song Thaek, first vice department director of the party central committee.
Spokesman on prospects of four-way talks
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The prospects of the four-way talks entirely depend on the attitude of the U.S. side, the spokesman of the DPRK Foreign Ministry told KCNA today.
At the sixth round of four-way talks held in Geneva, no progress was made because of the unreasonable attitude of the U.S., he said, adding:
We will wait with patience and magnanimity for there to be some change in the United States' negative attitude toward the talks. If they tell us they are ready to discuss the U.S. troop pullout and the conclusion of a peace agreement between the DPRK and the U.S., we will readily respond irrespective of place and time.
At the talks, our side proposed discussing the U.S. troop pullout from South Korea and the conclusion of a peace agreement between the two countries. The U.S. side, however, paid a deaf ear to our fair and aboveboard demand and pursued sinister purposes.
And the U.S., stepping backward far from its former position, insisted that the U.S. troop pullout cannot be discussed at the talks and that the peace agreement should be concluded between the north and south of Korea.
The recent and previous rounds of talks convinced us that the U.S. is not willing to preserve peace and security on the Korean peninsula and is trying to use the four-way talks as an expedient for executing its policy of stifling the DPRK.
This time, the DPRK and the U.S. had a bilateral meeting to exchange views on pending issues. At the meeting, we reiterated our position that the launch of a satellite or a missile belongs to the sovereignty of an independent state and can never be a matter of discussion with anyone.
There is no change in our principled position to achieve peace and security on the Korean peninsula through dialogue and negotiation.
Geneva convention 50 years old
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Today marks the day of signing of the Geneva convention.
A diplomatic conference to work out the international conventions for protection of war victims was held in Geneva from April 20 to August 12, 1949 with the attendance of representatives from over 60 countries and the International Red Cross Committee.
Almost all the countries including the DPRK approved the convention.
The DPRK joined the Geneva convention dated August 12, 1949, on August 21, 1957, and has waged a positive struggle against the aggressive moves and war crimes wantonly violating the convention.
In the period of war for aggression of Korea the U.S. imperialists imposed big disasters upon the Korean people in gross violation of the convention.
The U.S.-led NATO forces also violated the 1949 Geneva convention in their air raids on Yugoslavia.
Flagship of U.S. 7th fleet to call at Jinhae port
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The U.S. Navy command present in South Korea announced that the "blue ridge", the flagship of the U.S. 7th fleet, would anchor in Jinhae, South Korea, on August 13 to participate in the provocative "Ulji focus lens" joint military drill, a Seoul-based radio report said.
The U.S. imperialists and the South Korean rulers are planning to mobilize in the drill over 56,000-strong "ROK army" forces, some 14,000 U.S. troops in South Korea as well as U.S. forces in Japan, Guam island and the U.S. mainland.
"Mindan"-lining compatriots hold reunification events
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Koreans under the "South Korean Residents Association in Japan" (Mindan) held reunification events in Tokyo, Kanagawa and Nagoya and other places of Japan, according to the August 1 issue of "Minjok Sibo," a Korean compatriots' newspaper published in Japan.
Reunification events took place in Kyoto and Kobe on July 25 under the co-sponsorship of the Japan regional headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) and the executive committee.
Present there were members of the regional headquarters and the executive committee and over 6,000 compatriots there and Japanese citizens.
Speakers referred to the significance of the pro-reunification events held this year, the 10th anniversary of the formation of Pomminryon, and expressed the determination to make an active contribution to the reunification movement.
Representing the struggle of the South Korean prisoners of conscience and their families through songs, letter-readings and one-act plays, the participants in the events called for vigorously turning out in the struggle for abolition of the "National Security Law" and for national reunification.
Friendly gathering on Pakistani Independence Day
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- A friendly gathering was held Wednesday at Korea-Pakistan friendship Pyongyang June 9 Taesong Senior Middle school no. 1 on the occasion of the Independence Day of Pakistan.
Invited to the gathering were Pakistani ambassador to Korea Fazal Ghafoor and his embassy officials.
The gathering was attended by vice-chairperson of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Hong Son Ok, who is vice-chairperson of the Korea-Pakistan Friendship Association, officials concerned, teachers and pupils of the school.
The guests saw round educational facilities of the school and appreciated an art performance given by members of the art circle of the school.
Then, they conversed with the participants deepening the friendly feelings.
Hanchongryon issues statement
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) issued a statement on the Pyongyang visit of Hwang Hye Ro, delegate of "Hanchongryon" which represents the south headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification (Pomchonghakryon), a South Korean newspaper said.
The statement held that the present "government" and the "security" authorities were distorting the reality, describing the genuine reunification will of students as one of "Juche idea followers".
The statement stressed that "Hanchongryon" would go to the north until the day of national reunification, strongly urging the puppet authorities to drop the charge that "Hanchongryon" is an "enemy-benefiting organization".
Delegates of S. Korean organizations in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Delegate Ra Chang Sun, advisor to the south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon), its youth delegate So Won Chol and Ri Song U, Pak Ki Su and Kang Hyong Gu, delegates of the "National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification," who have come here to participate in the grand pan-national reunification festival, visited the Korean Revolution Museum on August 11.
In rooms dealing with the period of the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle, they looked round historic relics and photos showing the revolutionary activities of the President Kim Il Sung who led the bloody anti-Japanese war to victory under the banner of the Juche idea, achieved the historic cause of national liberation and opened up a new dimension of the great unity of the entire nation.
Earlier, they visited the Mansudae Art Studio, a comprehensive creation center of Juche-oriented national culture and art, and the Grand People's Study House, a large hall of study for the people.
They appreciated an acrobatic performance at the Pyongyang Circus Theatre.
Hwang Hye Ro, delegate of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils which represents the south headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification, visited the Grand People's Study House on the same day.
On August 10 delegates of the south headquarters of Pomminryon and the "National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification" visited the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong, the Patriotic Martyrs Cemetery and king Tangun's Mausoleum, and Hwang Hye Ro went to the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital.
Overseas compatriots arrive to participate in festival
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the headquarters of Koreans in China of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) led by chairman Yang Yong Dong, a delegation of the Federation of Korean National Economic Workers in China headed by first deputy chairman Ri Chol Jae and a delegation of the headquarters of Koreans in China of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification (Pomchonghakryon) led by chairman Mun Thae Hwan arrived here yesterday to participate in the '99 Grand Pro-Reunification Festival for the Independence and Great Unity of the Nation and the 10th pan-national rally.
Arriving in Wonsan by the ship Mangyongbong 92 were a delegation of the Koreans in Japan led by Kim Su Sik, chairman of the Tokyo prefectural headquarters of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), a delegation of the Association of Koreans in Japan for Peaceful Reunification led by chairman Ri Jong Hwal, a delegation of the headquarters of Koreans in Japan of Pomminryon headed by chairman Choe Il Su, a delegation of the Democratic Union of Korean Women in Japan led by vice-chairperson Kim Jong Hwa, a delegation of Korean youth and students in Japan of Pomchonghakryon led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the central standing committee of the League of Korean Youth in Japan, chairman of the overseas headquarters of Pomminryon Hwang Pyong Thae, a delegation of the Japan regional headquarters of Pomminryon led by chairman Ryang Tong Min, a delegation of the Federation of South Koreans in Japan for Democracy and Unification headed by secretary-general Kim Jong Bu, a delegation of the South Korean Youth League in Japan headed by chairman of its central headquarters Kang Song Sil, and a delegation of the Society of South Korean Democratic Women in Japan led by deputy chairman Han Jae Sun.
Arriving earlier were a delegation of Korean artistes in Japan led by Pak Jong Mun, a section chief of the culture and propaganda department of the central standing committee of Chongryon, and a delegation of the commonwealth of the independent states regional headquarters of Pomminryon headed by chairman Jo Yun Hae.
Sworn enemy warned
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA)-- Rodong Sinmun today carries a signed article supporting the statement of the DPRK government which was issued on August 10 to accuse Japan once again of its 100-year-long history of criminal policy towards Korea and clarify its principled stand on the DPRK-Japan relations.
The principled stand of the DPRK government is fully supported by the international public for its justice, the article says, and goes on:
It is not only the DPRK's principled stand but the demand of the times that Japan should stop pursuing the policy on stifling the DPRK.
During a hundred years Japan infringed upon the sovereignty and dignity of the Korean nation by invading Korea and killing, dividing and alienating its people.
Japan can neither erase the 100-year-long history of crimes nor justify it.
Japan should deeply reflect on the criminal hostile policy towards the DPRK, put an end to it from a reasonable viewpoint and choose a right policy towards the DPRK.
It is the firm and just principled stand of the DPRK government that Japan should make a sincere apology and adequate compensation to the DPRK for all its past crimes against the Korean people.
Japan is obliged to make an apology and compensation to the DPRK for its past crimes under the international law and from a moral point of view.
Warning the Japanese authorities not to play a trick to evade the liquidation of Japan's past, the article notes. We will certainly make any generation of Japan apologize to and compensate us for its past crimes any time.
Quoting the statement of the DPRK government as saying that if Japan dares turn to a showdown of strength in a bid to find a pretext to realize the wild ambition for reinvasion, the DPRK government will have no option but to take a corresponding countermeasure, the article goes on:
Japan is an assailant while the DPRK is a victim.
An option on the part of the victim depends on the attitude of the assailant.
The Korean people's resentment against Japan and their determination to take revenge upon it are growing stronger as the days go by.
If militarist Japan starts a reckless reinvasion of the DPRK, misjudging our strength and will, our people's army and people will give vent to its century-old wrath by all their efforts.
The Japanese reactionaries are well advised to think of what consequences it will bring to them.
Desperate moves of separatists flailed
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries a signed commentary denouncing the South Korean authorities for desperately trying to block the August 15 pro-reunification events.
The South Korean students and people are now working hard to successfully hold pro-reunification functions including the tenth pan-national rally out of a single desire to speed up the day of independence, democracy and reunification, the commentary observes.
It goes on:
The South Korean authorities, however, are suppressing pro-reunification democratic forces at the point of bayonet with the prosecution, police, "Intelligence Service" and all other repressive forces in order to put down the burning desire of the people for reunification and dampen the people's aspirations for the north at any cost.
The south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification and the South Korean federation of University Student Councils are the hardcore forces which are leading the pro-reunification patriotic movement in South Korea. The South Korean authorities, considering them a thorn in the flesh, are cracking down upon them to obliterate them at whatever cost, which proves that they have no willingness for reunification, national reconciliation and unity.
The anti-reunification elements must act with discretion, mindful that their treacherous acts are indelible crimes against the country and the nation.
"Minjurochong" delegates and football team in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Delegates of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minjurochong) with its chairman Ri Kap Yong as general head and its vice-chairman and reunification committee chairman Ri Kyu Jae as head and its worker's football team for reunification which are to participate in the "soccer game of workers in the north and south for reunification" visited Mangyongdae, the sacred place of revolution, on Wednesday.
Delegates and football team members looked round the historic relics carefully preserved at the old home in Mangyongdae where the President Kim Il Sung was born and cultivated his great will for revolution.
They posed for a photo as token of their visit to Mangyongdae.
They inspected the Mangyongdae Revolutionary Museum.
They also visited the Ssuksom revolutionary site on the same day.
"Minjurochong" delegates went to the Grand People's Study house and the football team held a training game at the Yanggakdo football ground.
"Minjurochong" delegates and its football team enjoyed national song and dance "My country is best" performed by the national art troupe at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre. On Tuesday "Minjurochong" delegates paid a courtesy call at the central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea.
The central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea gave a party at Okryu Restaurant in the evening in honor of "Minjurochong" delegates and its football team for reunification.
Exercise of sovereign right
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- As reported, China announced that it test-fired a missile with success on August 2.
A missile launch is a matter pertaining to the sovereignty of an independent state, a signed commentary of Rodong Sinmun today says, and goes on:
It is the United States that test-fires more missiles than any others and has the biggest stockpile of missiles of various types in the world.
The U.S. together with Japan is now stepping up the development and deployment of the "Theatre Missile Defense" (TMD) system more frantically than ever before. It is about to deploy the TMD system even in Taiwan as well as in Japan and South Korea.
Under this situation those countries with relatively less missiles, to say nothing of those countries with no missile, have to seek for self-defensive steps to cope with the U.S. missile threat.
The recent missile testfire of China is related to this.
It is a proper self-defensive step to cope with the intensified military tie-up between the U.S. and Japan.
The self-defensive step is more urgent for the DPRK.
The U.S. conservative hard-liners are now further escalating the anti-DPRK moves on the pretext of "missile launch". If we are not ready to counter their moves, we may be conquered by the U.S. That is why the DPRK has always directed efforts to increasing the country's defence capabilities. We do not conceal it. The U.S. has no right to fault it.
The issue of missile development and test pertains to the sovereignty of the DPRK from A to Z.
The United States is bringing missiles and huge war equipment to South Korea and its surroundings in a bid to overpower the DPRK. It is very natural for the DPRK to take a countermeasure against it.
We will exercise our sovereignty no matter what others may say.
International forum opens
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The "international forum calling for the demolition of the concrete wall" opened here today.
The forum was opened on the lapse of 20 years since the South Korean authorities built the concrete wall to perpetuate Korea's division.
The forum was co-sponsored by the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea, the World Peace Council, the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization, the Organization of Solidarity of the Peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Korean Committee for Solidarity with World People.
It is attended by delegates of various international organizations, regional solidarity committees to support the reunification of Korea and prominent figures of political parties, social organizations and academic circles who have fully supported the Korean people's efforts to terminate the tragedy of the division of the Korean peninsula and achieve its reunification at an early date.
Amar Bentoumi, president of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers and Honorary Chairman of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea, said in his opening speech that to take immediate steps for removing the danger of a new war and creating peaceful environment and conditions for reunification in Korea is an urgent international political issue at the moment and a pressing common task facing all the political parties, organizations of the world and progressive humankind who value peace and justice.
He expressed the belief that the forum which was organized on the lapse of 20 years since the construction of the concrete wall would mark an important occasion to remind once again the international community of the urgency to solve the Korean issue and to encourage the cause of reunification of the Korean people.
Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea and chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly, in his congratulatory speech expressed the belief that this international forum would mark another important occasion in denouncing the criminal anti-reunification moves of the South Korean authorities who built the longest concrete wall in the world in a bid to bar the country's reunification and drawing international attention to Korea's peace and reunification.
The concrete wall is a symbol of Korea's division and the north-south confrontation and the only one in the world.
It is shame on the Korean nation that such a wall exists even today when the 20th century is drawing to an end.
With no desperate efforts to keep the nation divided forever with a high barrier can the South Korean authorities dampen the desire for reunification of the Korean people who have lived in one and the same land as a homogenous nation down through a history spanning 5,000 years.
Noting that it is the firm will of the Worker's Party of Korea and the Korean people to reunify the country in our generation at any cost true to the noble intention of the President Kim Il Sung, the speaker declared:
We value support and encouragement from friends around the world to our just cause of national reunification.
A keynote report was made by representative of the eastern Europe center for vice-chairwoman Paulette Pierson of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea and a supplementary report by chairman Mun Jae Chol of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with World People at the forum.
It was addressed by representative of the Eastern Europe Center for Solidarity and Support for the DPRK and chairman of the Mt. Paektu Czech-Korea Friendship Association Jiri Jarka, delegate of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization Vidya Sekera, vice-chairman of the African Regional Committee of Friendship and Solidarity with the Korean People and vice-chairman of the Tunisia-Korea Friendship Association Mustapha Fersi, general secretary of the Good Green Guyana and vice-chairman of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Committee for Support to Korea's Reunification Robert Williams, general secretary of the World Peace Commission of the Asia-Pacific Lawyer's Association P. S. Sharda, coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Region of the World Peace Council general secretary of the Bangladesh Peace Council Ali Aksad, secretary general of the Nordic Cooperation Committee for Friendship and Solidarity with the Korean People and chairman of the Denmark-the DPRK Friendship Association Anders Kristensen, representative of the Asian Regional Committee to Support Korea's Reunification and chairman of the Peace Action Committee of Nepal Surya Lal, representative member of the Japan Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea Tsutomu Minatoyama, vice-chairman of the Ukraine-DPRK Association Gennady Berdyshev, chairman of the World Peace Commission of the Asia-Pacific Lawyers Association O. P. Sharma, representative of the Organisation of Solidarity of the Peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America Noris Paz Hernandez, vice-chairman of the Ecuadorian Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification Oswaldo Larriva Alvarado and vice-chairman of the U.S. out of Korea Committee Scott Scheffer.
The forum will run till Aug. 13.
Reports at international forum
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- A keynote report and supplementary report were made at the "international forum calling for the demolition of the concrete wall" which was open here today.
Paulette Pierson, vice-chairperson of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea, in her keynote report mentioned the political background against which the concrete wall was built in the area south of the military demarcation line on the Korean peninsula and the concrete tasks to demolish it at once.
After the publication of the July 4 north-south joint statement in Korea, the United States brought forward the so-called "cross recognition" concept intended to fix the existence of "two Koreas" on world arena and worked hard to justify the division of Korea internationally, she said.
She continued:
The South Korean authorities did not conceal from the very beginning of the building of the concrete wall that it was aimed at perpetuating the division of the peninsula and escalating the confrontation with the north.
From the outset of its project it became a target of protest and denunciation from all the Korean people and broad public circles for its criminal nature.
Laying bare the reason why the South Korean authorities have not pulled down the concrete wall so far, the reporter stressed: this is because their "two Koreas" policy remains unchanged and they have no willingness for reunification.
Clear is that neither improvement of inter-Korean relations nor progress in the reunification cause can be expected as long as all the political and legal barriers blocking the reunification including the concrete wall are left intact. In view of the present state of the reunification cause, the new proposal for dialogue advanced by the joint meeting of the government, political parties and organizations of the DPRK last February carries weighty significance.
This reasonable proposal calls for abrogating the "cooperation" of the South Korean authorities with outside forces, stopping their joint military exercises, abolishing the anti-reunification "National Security Law", ensuring the free reunification movement and activities of the pro-reunification patriotic organizations and figures and, on this basis, holding the inter-Korean high-level political talks.
The overture on implementing the priorities to remove a obstacle block in the way of dialogue has evoked sympathy inside and outside Korea as it fully reflected the stand to make the inter-Korean dialogue a fruitful one for reunification.
If the South Korean authorities truly want to hold a dialogue for reunification, there is neither pretext nor conditions for them to refuse to implement the priorities.
But their attitude toward this greatly disappointed the world public aspiring after the reunification of Korea.
It is an urgent task of the times facing the world's peace- and justice-loving progressive public and peaceloving people today to extend positive support and solidarity to the sincere efforts of the DPRK to prevent an outbreak of a new war in Korea and create a favourable atmosphere for peace and reunification .
The three charters of national reunification and the five-point policy of great national unity put forward by the great leaders of the Korean people President Kim Il Sung and Marshal Kim Jong Il are a most realistic, reasonable and just program to achieve the reunification of Korea most smoothly.
We should undertake a more widespread and more dynamic international solidarity movement to support the Korean people in their struggle to reunify the country in accordance with the three charters of national reunification and the five-point policy of great national unity and, at the same time, launch more vigorous international activities to expose and denounce the criminal moves of the outside forces and the South Korean authorities to perpetuate the division of Korea and aggravate the confrontation.
Mun Jae Chol, chairman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with World People, made a supplementary report at the forum.
He said that the crime the South Korean authorities committed by building the concrete wall rare to be seen in the world under the patronage of the outside forces and bisecting the territory of the country into two can never be justified and tolerated.
He went on:
They not only built a physical barrier to keep Korea divided into the north and south but have ruthlessly cracked down upon the struggle of the South Korean people for independence, democracy and reunification by invoking the "National Security Law" and many other fascist laws and mechanism.
If they truly value the destiny of the country and the nation, they should stop peddling such empty words as "sunshine" and "engagement" and going against the South Korean people's will for reunification and remove all the political, legal and physical barriers and make a policy switchover to reunification and patriotism, alliance and reconciliation with the north.
The United States is wholly to blame for the policy of division and confrontation invariably pursued by the South Korean authorities.
If the U.S. truly respects the desire of the Korean nation for reunification and wants peace on the Korean peninsula, it should discard the old concept in the era of the cold war, drop the anachronistic Korea policy, withdraw its forces from South Korea and refrain from doing anything obstructive to the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.
The imperialist and dominationist act of sacrificing the interests of other countries and nations for the sake of one's own interests should no longer be tolerated but be strongly condemned by the international community.
DPRK government's statement supported
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Delegates of international organisations and delegates of solidarity organizations from different regions and countries issued a special statement on August 11 in support of the statement of the DPRK government which was published on August 10.
Among them were president of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers and Honorary Chairman of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea Amar Bentoumi, general secretary of the central committee of the New Communist Party of Great Britain and representative of the Britain-Korea Friendship and Solidarity Movememnt Andy Brooks, vice-chairman of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Committee to Support the Reunification of Korea and general secretary of the Good Green Guyana Robert Williams, vice-chairwoman of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea Paulette Pierson Mathy, delegate of the Organization of Solidarity of the People of Africa, Asia and Latin America Noris Paz Hernandez and delegate of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization (AAPSO) Vidya Sekera, who are on a visit to Korea to participate in international solidarity functions to be held on August 15, the liberation day of Korea.
The special statement fully supported the statement of the DPRK government issued on August 10 accusing Japan once again of the 100-year-long history of criminal policy towards Korea and clarifying its principled stand on the DPRK-Japan relations.
Recalling that Japan brought untold misfortunes and hardships to the Korean people in a hundred years but refused to make any apology and compensation to the DPRK, the victim, for its past crimes, the statement expressed strong hatred and indignation at Japan which has pursued the policy to stifle the DPRK.
It is only Japan which is stepping up the moves to become a military power and again embarking upon the road of overseas invasion, while shamelessly beautifying its past history of invasion and massacre at a time when the world is clearly liquidating crimes committed in this century before its end, the statement noted.
The statement vehemently denounced Japan, regarding the attitude of the Japanese authorities as a serious insult to the dignity and sovereignty of the Korean nation and a very dangerous aggressive act of disturbing peace on the Korean peninsula and Asia.
It strongly urged the Japanese authorities to stop pursuing the policy to stifle the DPRK at once and make an apology and compensation to the Korean people for all its past crimes immediately and fully enough to convince the international public of it.
Message of sympathy to Indian Prime Minister
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the cabinet of the DPRK, sent a message of sympathy to Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on August 11 in connection with a big human loss caused by an unexpected train collision.
It expressed sympathy and condolences to the deceased and their bereaved families and hoped that the government and people would eradicate the aftereffects of the accident at an early date.
Joint preparatory committee meets
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The 4th meeting of the joint preparatory committee for the '99 Grand Pro-Reunification Festival for Independence and Great Unity of the Nation and the 10th pan-national rally was held in Pyongyang today.
Present at the meeting were delegates from the north, south and overseas.
The meeting reviewed preparations for the grand pan-national pro-reunification festival and discussed how to organize the festival events and reached a unanimous agreement.
The meeting decided to form and operate a steering committee of the festival consisting of four representatives of the north, south and overseas headquarters and the joint secretariat of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon), for a successful holding of the festival.
A press conference was held after the meeting.
Ra Chang Sun, acting chairman of the south promotion headquarters of Pomminryon, authorized by the joint preparatory committee, informed reporters about the meeting at the press conference.
Soccer game held between north and South Korean workers
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The "soccer game of workers in the north and the south for reunification," the first of its kind in the history of Korea's division spanning over half a century, opened at the Yanggakdo football ground here this afternoon.
Present to see the game were many workers and sportsmen in the city, and delegates from the north and the south of the country and overseas to the August 15 grand pro-reunification festival.
Delegates of the South Korean confederation of trade unions were also among spectators.
As worker football players of the north and the south entered the ground, all spectators warmly welcomed them. A flag symbolic of the game was hoisted.
Speeches were made by Ryom Sun Gil, chairman of the central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, and Ri Kap Yong, chairman of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.
The speakers underscored the significance of the first meeting and game between workers in the north and the south in 54 years since liberation.
They called on the workers to take the lead in the struggle for national reunification, occasioned by the "soccer game of workers in the north and the south for reunification" under way amid expectation and interest of 70 million fellow countrymen.
Then, worker football players of the north and the south, led by co-chairmen of the game, took a joint oath to the 70 million fellow countrymen.
Then followed a match between the worker football teams for reunification from the GFTUK central committee and the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.
The game ended 5:4 in favour of the GFTUK central committee team.
DPRK athlete breaks world record
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Han Hye Gyong, a KPA athlete, broke the world record for the women's hurdle race in the military pentathlon competition at the 2d World Military Games in Croatia on August 10, according to a report.
She clocked two minutes 20.6 seconds to shave 0.3 second off the previous mark set by China's athlete at the World Military Pentathlon Championships in Beijing last year.
KPA soldier Nam Hui Sun finished the second in 2 : 23.1.