"Special amnesty" in S. Korea assailed
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- The South Korean self-proclaimed "people's government" announced a "special amnesty on August 15 liberation day", a Seoul-based radio reported.
The present South Korean ruling quarters totally amnestied Kim Hyon Chol, a son of the former traitorous "president" Kim Young Sam, who was infamous for alarming irregularities and corruption, though he has to be in prison for one year and six months longer.
They also "pardoned" and "reinstated" former "national assemblyman" Hwang Pyong Thae and former "Minister of Home Affairs" Kim U Sok who were involved in the "Hanbo case" and "Kyongsong case" that created quite a stir as they were power-backed irregularities. They "pardoned" or "put on parole" those who have common interests with them or "commuted" this sentence.
Through such "amnesty" they are seeking to improve the dirty image of the "people's government" and win over opponents to stay in power.
The "special amnesty" is no more than a clumsy political burlesque to serve their dirty purpose.
S. Korean authorities' suppression of "Jongukryonhap"
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- The south promotion headquarters of the grand pan-national pro-reunification festival issued a statement on Friday in connection with the fact that the South Korean authorities detained delegates of Jongukryonhap (National Federation for Democracy and Reunification) on charges of violation of the "National Security Law" for the mere reason that they had attended the grand national seminar for independence and great unity of the nation held in Beijing.
This shows that their anti-reunification policy to dampen the ardent desire of the fellow countrymen for reunification growing stronger in the north, south and abroad has reached an extreme pitch, the statement said, and went on:
Their suppression fully betrayed that "reconciliation and unity" on their lips is a lie and their real intention is to pursue a war, division and confrontation.
The statement urged the present "government" to set free the detained delegates, abolish the "National Security Law" and ensure the grand pan-national pro-reunification festival.
Korean athletes' success in 2nd Military World Games
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Athletes of the Korean People's Army gave good accounts of themselves in the military pentathlon competition at the 2nd Military World Games in Zagreb, according to a report.
The pentathlon ended on Friday.
KPA women athletes won a gold medal by scoring 15,872.9 points at women's team total of the military pentathlon competition and Myong Kum Sun broke the world record in woman grenade throwing and placed first in women's overall individual with 5,346.2 points.
KPA men athletes and woman Nam Hui Sun won bronze medals in men's team total and women's overall individual of the military pentathlon competition respectively.
Stop to "Ulji focus lens" joint war exercises urged
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland issued a statement on Saturday denouncing the U.S. imperialists and the South Korean ruling quarters for attempting to stage "Ulji focus lens" joint military exercises.
The statement said: The South Korea-U.S. "combined forces command" recently announced that the U.S. imperialist aggression forces and the "ROK army" would jointly stage "Ulji focus lens" war exercises in South Korea and its surrounding waters from August 16 to 27.
Involved there will be more than 14,000 U.S. troops in South Korea, over 56,000-strong force of the "ROK army," U.S. forces in Japan, Guam Island and the U.S. mainland and the "Blue Ridge", the flagship of the U.S. 7th fleet.
It is indisputably clear that "Ulji focus lens" is a test war, a preliminary war against the DPRK as this ill-boding military movement is part of their intentional and premeditated moves to ignite a war any time.
The U.S. imperialists and the South Korean ruling quarters are getting overheated in military confrontation moves, spreading the rumour about the DPRK's "threat to re-launch missile".
What remains to be done by them is only to ignite the train of war. The joint war drill, a war gamble, shows that no one can predict when they will unleash a total war on the Korean peninsula.
The South Korean ruling quarters must drop the projected drill at once, mindful of the serious implications the war moves against the north will have on the inter-Korean relations.
The United States must not act rashly, aware of the adverse impact the adventurous joint military drill will make on the DPRK-U.S. talks and the improvement of the DPRK-U.S. relations.
DPRK has legitimate right to claim compensation from Japan
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Japan has come in for strong criticism by a signed commentary of Minju Joson today for intending to see the 20th century out without honest apology and repentance of the past crimes it has committed against the Korean people for a century.
As the statement of the DPRK government dated August 10 said, the Japanese imperialists invaded Korea with huge aggressor forces in 1905 and enforced a harsh colonial rule over it for over four decades, bringing unspeakable misfortunes and pains to the Korean people, the commentary says, and goes on:
Since their defeat the Japanese reactionaries have persistently barred the uniform development of Korea with the backing of the United States, adding to their crimes. They have thus become a sworn enemy of the Korean nation for they have done harm to them for a hundred years.
Japan's crimes are snowballing generation after generation because it neglected its efforts to get rid of the disgrace of being a criminal state of the 20th century and failed to rectify its wrong conscience. Worse still, the Japanese reactionaries seek to find a way out of this deplorable position in the anti-DPRK hostile policy to reinvade Korea.
The Korean people have the legitimate right to claim a compensation from Japan for the crimes it has committed against Korea for a hundred years and a free option as to what way they will force it to liquidate its past.
Reception for foreign guests
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- The Korean committee for solidarity with the world people gave a reception at Okryu Restaurant on Saturday for the foreign guests participating in the international solidarity events on the occasion of August 15.
Present there on invitation were the delegates of the international organizations and the delegations and delegates of the solidarity organizations from different regions and countries participating in the international forum calling for the demolition of the concrete wall, members of a Japanese delegation of cooperative organizations of A-bomb photo show, a Japanese delegation of "boat of peace" and a delegation of the Japan council for Japan-the DPRK friendship and solidarity and other foreign guests.
Mun Jae Chol, chairman of the Korean Committee for the Solidarity with the World People, in his speech said that Korea must be reunified for durable security and peace in northeast Asia.
The cause of the country's reunification of the Korean people would be achieved without fail as they have the very just policy and a solid basis for national reunification, which are legacies left by the President Kim Il Sung, the wise leadership of the respected Kim Jong Il and strong support from friends around the world, he stressed.
Robert Williams, general secretary of the Good Green Guyana and vice-chairman of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Committee for Support to Korea's Reunification, in his speech noted that the struggle of the people of the DPRK to achieve the peace and reunification is just, expressing the belief that the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo will be founded under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.
He stressed that an end should be put to the history of the division and Korea be reunified into one.
Art festival of compatriots for reunification
Panmunjom, August 15 (KCNA) -- An art festival of compatriots in the north, south and overseas for reunification was held at Panmunjom today.
Compatriots from the north, south and overseas demonstrated their desire and will for reunification, singing songs and dancing to the tune of Korea.
Put on the stage were songs and dances with rich national flavor such as "Touch-me-not".
Performers warmly sang of the national pride of holding in high esteem the Marshal Kim Jong Il through their songs such as "Envy us" and "Let's sing of the pride of holding the Marshal in high esteem."
Colourful acrobatic program on the stage stirred up the atmosphere of the festival.
Overseas Korean artistes showed well the will to reunify the country.
The artistes and delegates demonstrated their strong will to accomplish the historic cause of national reunification with the united strength of nation at any cost, singing the songs such as "Korea is one" and "Oak bridge of reunification".
'99 Pan-National Rally for Peace and Reunification of the Country
Panmunjom, August 15 (KCNA) -- The '99 Pan-National Rally for Peace and Reunification of the Country was held at the Thongil Pavilion in Panmunjom today.
Delegates of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) from the north, south and overseas sat at one place for the first time in the history of the pan-national rally.
Discussed at the rally was an agenda item "historic experience of Pomminryon reunification movement, its lesson and future tasks".
Advisor to the south headquarters of Pomminryon Ra Chang Sun made a joint keynote report of the north, south and overseas headquarters of Pomminryon.
The report said that the leading role of Pomminryon has made the movement for national reunification which had been conducted separately in the north, south and overseas develop into a pan-national movement in conformity with the unanimous desire and wish of all the fellow countrymen.
Referring to the experience accumulated in the Pomminryon's movement, the report noted that in order to achieve the great national unity and the cause of national reunification it is necessary to strengthen the three-way solidarity among compatriots in the north, south and overseas and to this end, Pomminryon, its mother body, should be strengthened.
Only when a widespread solidarity among different movement organizations is realized to achieve the common aim of the nation can desired successes be made in the course of the reunification movement, the report said, touching upon the lesson drawn from the Pomminryon movement.
It underscored the need to thoroughly implement the three charters of national reunification, taking hold on them as the lifeline of the Pomminryon movement, the basic fighting programme, and sustain the nationwide struggle against the anti-national, anti-reunification moves of the separatist forces inside and outside Korea.
At the rally So Won Chol, a youth delegate of the south headquarters of Pomminryon, introduced a solidarity message of the south headquarters of Pomminryon to the 10th pan-national rally.
Ri Song U, delegate of the "National Federation for Democracy and Reunification" of South Korea, made a congratulatory speech at the rally, which was followed by speeches of Pak Kwan O, vice-chairman of the north headquarters of Pomminryon, and Yang Yong Dong, vice-chairman of the overseas headquarters of Pomminryon and chairman of the headquarters of the Koreans in China of Pomminryon.
A resolution of the '99 Pan-National Rally for Peace and Reunification of the Country was adopted at the rally.
The resolution expressed the determination to carry through the three charters of national reunification the keynote of which is the three principles of national reunification--independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity--, the ten-point program of the great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo, taking them as the only guidelines in the future, too.
It underscored the necessity to wage a more staunch struggle to totally abolish the "National Security Law", an anti-national, anti-reunification fascist law, and obtain the freedom of activities of the south headquarters of Pomminryon and "Hanchongryon" (South Korean Federation of University Student Councils).
A resolution on checking and frustrating the war moves of the U.S. and a resolution on getting the "NSL" abolished in South Korea were also adopted at the rally.
Three-way meeting for independence and great unity of nation
Panmunjom, August 15 (KCNA) -- A three-way meeting for the independence and great unity of the nation took place in front of the Panmun Pavilion here today.
Present there were chairman of the central committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party Kim Yong Dae who is vice-President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and leading officials of political parties, public organizations and religious organizations.
Delegates from the north, south and overseas and honorary guests from different countries were also on hand.
The meeting was addressed by Ho Hyok Phil, member of the central committee of the north headquarters of Pomminryon (National Alliance for the Country's Reunification), Hwang Hye Ro, delegate of "Hanchongryon" (South Korean Federation of University Student Councils) that represents the south headquarters of Pomchonghakryon (National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification), and Jong Hak Phil, chairman of the Canada regional headquarters of Pomminryon.
The speakers strongly called for further strengthening the three-way solidarity and unity among compatriots of the north, south and overseas and firmly building up the internal pro-reunification patriotic forces.
speaking at the rally, an honorary guest Scott Scheffer, vice-chairman of the U.S. Out of Korea Committee, called upon the Americans to come out in a positive struggle to force the U.S.-backed IMF and other financial institutions to halt at once their moves to turn South Korea into their economic colony and guarantee the Korean people the right to shape their destiny by themselves free from outside interference. A congratulatory group of the Korean children's union recited a message hailing the meeting.
A pan-national declaration for independence and great unity of the nation was adopted at the meeting.
The declaration stressed the need to wage a nationwide struggle to achieve independent reunification under the uplifted banner of national independence.
The U.S., Japanese and South Korean tripartite "cooperation" aimed at aggression and treachery will be resolutely checked and frustrated through the north, south and overseas patriotic three-way unity, it noted.
Great national unity is the basic guarantee for the independent reunification, it said, stressing that confrontation and danger of war should be prevented and the way of durable peace and reunification be paved by concerted efforts of the nation.
It manifested the determination to wage a joint nationwide vigorous struggle for the total abolishment of the "National Security Law" in South Korea and the guarantee of the freedom of the activities of the south headquarters of Pomminryon, "Hanchongryon" and other reunification movement organizations and officials.
Prior to the meeting, the participants laid floral baskets and bouquets before the monument to the autograph of the great leader President Kim Il Sung which was built here in commemoration of the signature put by him to a document related to national reunification one day before his passing away, and paid tribute to him in humble reverence.
Agreement between GFTUK and "Minjurochong" released
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- An agreement between the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) and the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minjurochong) was released on Saturday.
The agreement was signed by vice-chairman of the GFTUK central committee ri Jin Su and vice-chairman of Minjurochong Ri Kyu Jae.
It underlines what the GFTUK and "Minjurochong" have agreed to do for unity, independent exchange, cooperation and the reunification of the country on the three principles of national reunification in the future, occasioned by the successful holding of the "'99 soccer game of workers in the north and the south for reunification."
According to the agreement, they will co-sponsor at an appropriate time a grand pro-reunification seminar on the theme of national reunification including national independence and great unity, peace and proposal for independent exchange to be attended by different trade union organizations.
It points to their joint efforts to hold a "2000 soccer game of workers in the north and the south for reunification" without fail in future, followed by the '99 soccer game.
We shall promote the consultation between the two organizations to implement the two items and discuss other matters of common concern of workers in the north and the south, it noted.
Rodong Sinmun on Japan's wild ambition for nuclear arming
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries a signed commentary in connection with the recent disclosure in the United States of information about the secret plan pushed ahead with by Japan for nuclear arming before and after the second world war.
The commentary says:
This fact clearly reveals the true colors of Japan which paints itself as an "anti-nuke champion", vociferating about anti-nuke and peace".
Japan stepped up the development of nuclear weapon as early as in the period of World War II and did not give up this even after its defeat in a bid to secretly press ahead with the nuclear development with resentment at the nuclear disaster it suffered.
Japan, possessed of the world's top level nuclear technology and means of nuclear delivery and stockpiled plutonium, is capable of making many nuclear bombs in a moment as it pleases.
No matter what lip-service Japan may pay to "peace" and "stability" with a hue and cry over "nuclear threat" from someone it can never conceal its despicable colors as a nuclear criminal threatening the peace and stability in Asia and the world.
4th Pomchonghakryon general meeting held
Panmunjom, August 15 (KCNA) -- The 4th general meeting of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification (Pomchonghakryon) was held at the Panmun Pavilion in Panmunjom today.
Present at the meeting were delegates of Pomchonghakryon from the north, south and overseas.
Introduced there was a solidarity message sent by delegates of the 4th-term joint secretariat of Pomchonghakryon to its 9th grand pro-reunification festival.
Hwang Hye Ro, delegate of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils that represents the south headquarters of Pomchonghakryon, made a report on the review of the past one year struggle of Pomchonghakryon for independent exchange and future tasks.
She said in her report that students in the south and north should intensify a joint solidarity struggle with the popular masses to launch dynamic activities to smash the outside forces' war moves and hasten the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.
Ri Myong Won, secretary general of the north headquarters of Pomchonghakryon, made a report on setting up its fourth-term joint secretariat.
He pointed to the present state of the joint secretariat and the need to set up the fourth-term joint secretariat of Pomchonghakryon.
A resolution of the general meeting was adopted.
The resolution called for undertaking a vigorous struggle to smash the war provocation moves of the U.S. and Japan and check and frustrate the South Korean authorities' flunkeyist and traitorous policy, under the uplifted banner of national independence.
It underscored the need to exert all efforts to step up the struggle for broad-based independent exchange among students from the north, south and overseas such as the second joint excursion to historical relics in the north and to complete the establishment of the fourth-term joint secretariat of Pomchonghakryon, the headquarters for the three-way solidarity.
Papers observe 54th anniversary of Korea's liberation
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang-based newspapers today in editorials dedicated to the 54th anniversary of Korea's liberation call for ensuring the eternal prosperity of our country liberated by the President Kim Il Sung.
An editorial of Rodong Sinmun says:
54 years ago, the President liberated our country from the Japanese imperialists. This was a historical event which brought about a drastic change in the socio-political life of the Korean people and in the development of the national history.
He liberated the country by leading the 20-year long anti-Japanese revolutionary war to victory and performed undying exploits for the century by directing the struggle for the prosperity of the country and the nation in the van for a long period.
Our country and nation are Kim Il Sung's Korea and Kim Il Sung's nation saved and built by the President through all sorts of ordeals and trials all his life.
It is now taking the road of boundless prosperity thanks to the respected Kim Jong Il.
It is under Kim Jong Il's guidance that our country is demonstrating its might as an ideologically and politically powerful state and a militarily invincible state and that its economic potentials are steadily growing stronger.
We are now faced with the honorable yet heavy task to push ahead with the building of a powerful state and accomplish the historic cause of national reunification under the guidance of Kim Jong Il.
We should resolutely defend and exalt the exploits performed by Kim Il Sung in the building of the country, single-heartedly uphold the idea and guidance of Kim Jong Il with loyalty and filial piety and speed up the second grand Chollima march.
The tragic division of the nation still continues though more than half a century has passed since the liberation of the country.
We should certainly accomplish the cause of national reunification with the united efforts of the nation, holding aloft the banner of the three charters of national reunification provided by Kim Il Sung and that of the five-point policy of great national unity advanced by Kim Jong Il.
Bright is the future of our country which is advancing under the guidance of Kim Jong Il, revering Kim Il Sung as the eternal sun of Juche.
An editorial of Minju Joson calls for creditably accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche and demonstrating the dignity and honor of Kim Il Sung'S. Korea, Kim Il Sung's nation to the whole world by making strenuous efforts for the prosperity of the country, closely rallied behind Kim Jong Il.
Floral basket to statue of President Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Yasser Arafat, President of the State of Palestine, sent a floral basket to the statue of the President Kim Il Sung on Mansu Hill on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of Korea's liberation.
Shaher Mohammed Abdlah, ambassador of the state of Palestine to Korea, today laid the floral basket before the statue and paid tribute to Kim Il Sung.
Wreaths laid before Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- The Worker's Party of Korea, the DPRK government and the diplomatic corps here laid wreaths at before the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong this morning on the 54th anniversary of the country's liberation.
Amid the playing of the wreath-laying music, wreaths were laid in the joint name of the WPK Central Committee, the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK and the DPRK cabinet, and in the name of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Fisheries, party and power organs in Pyongyang and the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association.
And wreaths were also laid in the name of the Russian embassy and the diplomatic corps here.
People from all walks of life laid bouquets at the cemetery.
They observed a moment's silence in memory of the revolutionary martyrs.
Floral baskets laid before statue of Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Floral baskets were laid before the statue of the President Kim Il Sung on Mansu Hill this morning by senior officials of the party and government, people from all walks of life, people's army soldiers, overseas compatriots and foreign diplomatic envoys here on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the country's liberation.
A floral basket from General Secretary Kim Jong Il was seen there.
Amid the playing of floral basket-laying music baskets of flowers were placed before the statue in the joint name of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and the cabinet of the DPRK and in the name of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, ministries of the cabinet, party and power organs in Pyongyang and the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association.
Floral baskets were also laid there in the name of the embassy of the Russian Federation and the foreign diplomatic corps here.
Working people from all walks of life and people's army soldiers, youth and students in Pyongyang placed floral baskets, bouquets and flowers there.
They paid homage to the President in profound reverence.
Meanwhile, Pak Kwang Gi, chief of the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea, and its members laid a floral basket before the statue of the President on Mansu Hill and a bouquet before the bust of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk in the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong.