Kim Jong Il inspects army unit
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected KPA unit no. 635, a winner of the "O Jung Hup 7th Regiment" title on Monday.
He was accompanied by KPA generals Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong and staff members of the KPA supreme command.
The visiting party also included secretary Kim Kuk Thae and first vice department directors Ri Yong Chol and Jang Song Thaek of the WPK Central Committee.
Kim Jong Il looked round mementos and data associated with the President Kim Il Sung's immortal activities. He called for preserving the mementos well and educating soldiers through them so that they all could always cherish the President's love and favors and repay them with loyalty.
He saw soldiers under the unit in training and noted with great satisfaction that all the soldiers had grown to be invincible combatants of great capacity.
He put forward important tasks to strengthen the KPA into an invincible revolutionary army.
He went round entertainment, educational and logistic facilities to learn about the use of the TV set and publications, the temperature of the bedroom and the process of non-staple food.
He highly praised the unit's soldiers for keeping the compound and environment of the unit as neat and clean as a park and valuing the trees and plants of the nation. He described this as an expression of their patriotism.
He gave soldiers of a sub-unit a pair of binoculars, a machine gun and an automatic rifle. He met and encouraged soldiers of the unit's headquarters and soldiers of the sub-unit and posed for a picture with them.
Film show on Kyrgyz National Day
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- A film show was held here on Monday under the sponsorship of the DPRK-Kyrgyzstan Friendship Association on the occasion of the National Day of the Kyrgyz republic.
Present there were vice-chairman of the association Kim Sang Ho, who is also vice-chairman of the central committee of the Korean Journalists Union, officials concerned and working people in the city.
The participants saw the Korean feature film "Forest Rustles" part 7.
KCNA on Japan's row over "missile threat"
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- The DPRK launched a satellite on Aug. 31 last year.
At that time its friends were unsparing in their praise of this while the hostile forces screamed with fright and raised a hue and cry over "threat from North Korea" in a bid to achieve their sinister political purpose.
Especially, the Japanese reactionaries created a terror-ridden atmosphere as if something very serious had happened, kicking up a row over "missile threat."
After the successful launch of our satellite, the Japanese reactionaries and venal media spread "fear of missile" all over Japan, groundlessly insisting that it was a missile launch.
Their false propaganda continued even after KCNA released an official report on the satellite launch on Sept. 4 last year and the U.S., which had provided misinformation to Japan, recognized our satellite launch.
With the approach of the first anniversary of the launch of our satellite, they kicked off the similar row over "relaunch of missile" and, worse still, made a far-fetched assertion that "neither missile launch nor satellite launch in North Korea can be allowed."
Japan which keeps mum about missile test-fire by the U.S. and other big powers makes so much ado about our missile and insists that we have no equal right to launch a satellite aimed at the peaceful research into the space. This sophism reveals the Japanese reactionaries' inherent double-dealing nature characterized by height of their servility and arrogance.
The Japanese reactionaries persistently argue that "North Korea poses a serious threat to the security of Japan." This is nothing but a sheer fiction.
The 100-year-long history of the Korea-Japan relations has already clearly proved who is the assailant and who is the victim.
As clarified by the recent DPRK government statement, Japan is the sworn enemy of the Korean people, who has not made any apology and compensation for his past crimes but has posed a constant threat to us by pursuing his policy to become a military power and his hostile policy towards the DPRK, watching for a chance of reinvasion.
Clear are the aims sought by the Japanese reactionaries in kicking off an unprecedented row over our satellite launch.
Their first aim is to brand the DPRK as "a state posing a nuclear threat."
Japan, which had already joined the U.S. in raising a hue and cry over our "nuclear issue," is going to bring the "nuclear issue" into bolder relief again through the row over the "launch of missile," means of nuclear arms delivery.
The second aim sought by them is to justify their anachronistic hostile policy towards the DPRK under the pretext of "threat from North Korea."
Their third aim is to realize their ambition to become a military power and nuclear power at an early date and strengthen "cooperation" with the U.S. and South Korea in a bid to thoroughly isolate and stifle the DPRK.
As proven by the reality, today the Japanese militarist forces are not simply blinded with their wild ambition, but have become dangerous aggressor forces, their design for overseas aggression entering the phase of its implementation.
Japan has modernized its "Self-Defense Forces" with the world's second largest military spending and is in the process of legalizing the right of belligerency and operation in pursuance of "Japan-u.s. Defense cooperation guidelines." It has gone the length of working to revise the present "peace constitution " as a war constitution.
All these militarist moves of Japan have been pushed ahead with under the pretext of "threat from North Korea" since the cold war. In particular, they have been rapidly escalated for the last one year with the brigandish assertion that our satellite launch was a "missile launch."
The frantic row based on sheer sophism about "missile launch," "missile relaunch" and "serious threat to the security of Japan" was naturally prompted by a criminal intention to stifle the DPRK, a bulwark of peace and socialism, by force of arms, and use Korea as a bridgehead for its reinvasion of Asia and thus realize its old dream of "Greater East Asia Coprosperity Sphere" at any cost.
This frantic row of the Japanese reactionaries will only compel us to more fully exercise our inviolable sovereign right. If they dare provoke a war, we will not miss the opportunity to revenge upon the sworn enemy a hundred, nay thousand times.
Kim Il Sung praised in S. Korea
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- A cassette praising the President Kim Il Sung was played in the waiting room of Taejon Railway Station on Aug. 13, Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation quoted the south Chungchong provincial committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea as saying.
The playing, which lasted about 5 minutes under the title "Commander Kim Il Sung brought about Aug. 15 liberation of Korea," highly praised the President as the eternal benefactor of the Korean nation, who liberated the country by waging the arduous 20-year-long anti-Japanese struggle and devoted his all to laying a solid basis of reunification until the last moment of his life.
This recorded tape was made by the Patriotic Fellowship Society on the occasion of the Aug. 15 liberation of Korea the radio reported.
Aid materials to DPRK from WFP
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- The World Food Program sent small trucks, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals and other aid materials, necessary for the forest planting and seeding and land administration, to the DPRK.
The acting representative of the World Food Program to the DPRK handed them to officials concerned in Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province on Monday.
Jong Song Ok wins world title in women's marathon race
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Girl of the DPRK Jong Song Ok came first in the women's marathon race of the 7th World Athletics Championships held in Seville, Spain on August 29.
She sped up from the point about 3 km before the finish line, leaving a strong Japanese rival behind, and finally crossed the finish line in two hours 26 minutes 59 seconds.
25 years old jong belongs to the Amnokgang Sports Team.
All papers here today gave much space to articles praising her as a pride of the Korean nation who brilliantly decorated the 20th century as well as to the world reaction to her success.
Rodong Sinmun on DPRK's principled attitude towards U.S.
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- If the United States truly wants improved DPRK-U.S. relations, it should pull its forces out of South Korea, give up the moves for stifling the DPRK and lift economic sanctions against it, stresses Rodong Sinmun in a by-lined article today.
The article continues:
The United States is wholly to blame for the failure to improve the DPRK-U.S. relations. The U.S. has always harbored an ambition to stifle the DPRK.
The U.S. occupation of South Korea for more than half a century is intended to attain its purpose to militarily stifle the DPRK. Therefore, our people cannot live in peace even a moment due to the U.S. ceaseless military blackmail and threat.
The United States is now casting a darker shadow over the DPRK-U.S. relations on the pretext of the DPRK's non-existent "missile threat."
The threat to the peace and security of northeast Asia comes not from the DPRK's missile but from the U.S. moves to provoke a new Korean war as well as from its actions to establish the "Theatre Missile Defense" system.
The issue of development, production and deployment of missiles pertains to the sovereign right of the DPRK from A to Z. Moreover, under the present situation where the United States is increasing its military pressure upon the DPRK, the DPRK cannot but strengthen its self-defence capabilities.
The DPRK's principled stand towards the DPRK-U.S. relations remains unchanged.
If the United States withdraws its forces from South Korea and refrains from military threat and economic sanctions against the DPRK, the latter will treat the former with good faith and generosity.
Month that seethed with enthusiasm for reunification
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- August in Korea was a significant month that seethed with the nation's enthusiasm for reunification.
In August 1945, all the Koreans in the north and south rejoiced over the liberation from the Japanese imperialists' colonial rule at the same time.
However, the nation's desire to live in a reunified country has not yet been realized until today, though over half a century has passed since then.
So, every August in the last decade the grand pan-national pro-reunification festival was successfully held amid mounting aspiration for reunification of the whole nation divided into the north and south.
As August this year marked the 10th festival, the aspiration for reunification grew stronger' than ever before.
Local papers said the national aspiration for reunification was warmer than the heat of the sun of August.
The festival this year was an unprecedentedly grand and significant one for reunification held with the 2000s at hand.
South Korean delegates of reunification movement organizations including the delegates of the south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification participated in the festival for the first time in the history of the pan-national rally. So, the festival became three-way solidarity rally of delegates from the north, south and overseas.
Timed to coincide with the festival, a delegation of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and its pro-reunification worker-football team visited Pyongyang and the latter had soccer games for reunification to make the festival more meaningful.
The grand festival was a great success every day with unique formulas and colourful events in conformity with the idea of independence and great unity of the nation.
The grand opening ceremony was held at the Kim Il Sung Stadium, where shouts of slogans "national reunification" and "national independence" reflecting aspiration of the nation shook it. It reminded people of a plaza of reunification.
Several pro-reunification events held in Panmunjom, symbol of division, were an epitome of a reunified country which showed the Korean nation's will to achieve reunification of the country through national independence and great unity.
A congratulatory group of the Korean Children's Union on Panmunjom Hill ardently called upon the participants in the festival to use the word "reunified country" only when they will meet again at the next grand pro-reunification festival, touching the right chord in the hearts of the delegates from the north, south and overseas.
The grand festival in August, indeed, demonstrated to the world once again the will of the fellow countrymen to certainly reunify the country with three-way unity of the Koreans in the north, south and overseas.
Ugandan preparatory committee formed
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- The Ugandan preparatory committee to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the foundation of the DPRK was formed in Kampala on August 23.
The Minister of Water, Land and Environment was elected chairman of the committee in the inaugural meeting.
He said at the meeting that the committee set the period from Aug. 23 to September 9 as days for celebrating the 51st anniversary of the foundation of the DPRK, during which it will send active support and solidarity to the Korean people, who are struggling vigorously to overcome the difficulties and natural disasters and put an end to the tragedy of the country's division under the wise leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
KCNA on S. Korean "Defense Minister's" mendicant trip
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Jo Song Thae, "Defense Minister" of South Korea, reportedly visited china from August 23 to 29.
During the trip jo let loose a string of treacherous jargons. He never opened his mouth without calling for strengthened "military exchange." When visiting units of three services of China's armed forces he behaved himself disgracefully, asking for the establishment of "cooperation system."
After all, this junket is an anti-national deed of a traitor estranged from the country and the nation.
Clear is the purpose of Jo's disgusting "diplomacy" abroad in the wake of his incitement of confrontation with the north in south Korea.
As known to everyone, the United States and Japan are now kicking up a row over the fictitious "missile launch" in the DPRK.
Under this situation jo was doubtlessly instructed by chongwadae to visit neighboring countries so as to get them embroiled in the network of blockade against the DPRK and form an encirclement ring around it.
His trip was also intended to save from a deplorable position the present South Korean regime, which has been driven into a corner by the people for its anti-national, anti-reunification heinous crimes and isolated internationally.
What merits attention is that Jo's mendicant trip was timed to coincide with "Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade" Hong Sun Yong's trip to Japan and "Minister of Unification" Rim Tong Won's junket to the United States.
It is as clear as noonday that the South Korean authorities are desperately seeking to isolate and stifle us.
It is unpardonable and treacherous, indeed, for them to peddle internal affairs of the nation abroad and solicit for support.
As for the "missile" issue raised by them, development, production and deployment of missiles pertain to a legitimate independent right of a severeign state that nobody can deny.
It is a matter of national sovereignty from every point of view which allows no outside interference.
Such solicitation trips could be made only by the South Korean authorities who are accustomed to prolonging their remaining days with the help of outsiders.
The present rulers of South Korea, who are engaged in treacheries, refusing to draw a due lesson from the disgraceful history of South Korea and still looking up to others, will surely face a stern punishment by history.
International support for DPRK government statement
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- More countries supported a statement of the DPRK government, which made clear once again Japan's 100-year-long history of the criminal policy toward Korea on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of Korea's liberation.
Genaro Ledesma Izquieta, chairman of the People's Front of Workers, Peasants and Students of Peru, in his statement released on Aug. 20 accused Japan of having persistently resorted to the moves to keep Korea divided into two forever and isolate and stifle the DPRK with the backing of the United States.
Noting that socialist Korea, which has entered the road of building a powerful nation and conquering the space, has strength enough to shutter any adventurous provocation of Japan against the Korean people, he sent full support and solidarity to the just statement of the DPRK government in the name of all workers, peasants and students of Peru.
Meanwhile, the statement was read with due ceremony in Tanzania.
S. Korean trade unions reject "restructuring"
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Trade unions of the Daewoo Business Group in South Korea are protesting against the unilateral "restructuring" of the authorities, according to a radio report from Seoul.
The South Korean authorities made a decision to sell most of 41 subsidiaries to foreign businesses and "restructure" 12 subsidiaries as a solution to the serious financial problem of the Daewoo Business Group.
Enraged at this step, trade unions declared that they would "fight for vital rights if 'restructuring" leads to the sharp reduction of manpower."
They made clear that they would hold a conference of trade union representatives of subsidiaries on Sept. 1 and decide on future countermeasures.
Composer Ham Ki Chan
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Ham Ki Chan is a well-known composer in the DPRK.
Conspicuous is his skill of creating masterpieces vividly reflecting the psychological characteristics of children.
Working as chief of the department of creation at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace, he has spent scores of years among children devoting all his wisdom and enthusiasm to the creation of works for the children.
He has been active as a composer at the palace since April of 1974.
In the past he created hundreds of works for the children to be put on stage.
Typical of his masterpieces were instrumental music "Reunification Train Runs," "An Accordionist Has Arrived," "A Cart Disappears into Clouds," old tales in dance "A Gold Nugget and Maize Cakes," "A boy comes on a tiger," "A Swift Winged Horse," "the Story about Two Generals" and songs "I am a bud" and "We are flowers and butterflies."
He also created a number of works of various themes including pangchang for dance.
Successful performances given by Korean children at different theatres at home and abroad in the past, striking peoples with admiration, are associated with his un-rewarded efforts.
He was awarded the title of merited artiste in 1985 and of people's artiste in 1992 for his earnest pursuit and rare enthusiasm.
"An unknown orphan has become a well-known composer. I present my highest thanks to the Worker's Party of Korea and motherland who found out a small sprout of talent and brought it into full bloom," said people's artiste Ham Ki Chan, who is engaged in the creative work with great enthusiasm.
Scientific and technical achievements
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Scientists and technicians of the DPRK made over 50 scientific and technological achievements which are of great value in different fields, including mechanical engineering, metal engineering and bioengineering in one year after the successful launch of the first satellite "Kwangmyongsong 1".
Researchers of the electronic material institute of the National Academy of Sciences succeeded in getting powdered material of world standard in quality, which is used for developing high density video cassettes.
Scientists and technicians in the field of computer and software achieved signal successes in developing our own way programs needed for many fields such as economy, science, education and culture.
These programs include file of Korean characters, program for geological prospecting and a system of monitoring and controlling the ammonia gas production process.
Among the scientific achievements are the development of electron microscope of hundreds of thousands of magnifications, scanning electron microscope, iron production by oxygen blowing, manufacture of potato shower and harvester of new type.
Ho Jong Man meets Japanese delegation
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), met the Japanese delegation of "peace ship", when it paid a courtesy visit to the Korean hall in Tokyo on August 25, according to Joson Sinbo published in Japan.
St the talks, Tatsuya Yoshioka, head of the delegation, stressed that he would strive to further develop the exchange with the DPRK and especially strengthen the ties with the Korean residents in Japan, giving impressions of his visit to the DPRK during which the delegation participated in the August 15 events.
Ho Jong Man congratulated the delegation on its successful visit to the DPRK and wished it great success in developing the friendly relations between the two peoples of the DPRK and Japan in the days ahead.
Fish breeding brisk in Korea
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Fish breeding is promoted in the DPRK.
Many large and small fish breeding grounds were built across the country in recent years while material and technical foundations of the existing fish farms were further consolidated.
Kim Jong Hyok, chief engineer of the bureau of fish breeding management of the ministry of fisheries, said that there appeared this year many fish breeding grounds which depend on springs in valleys and hot springs and artificial reservoirs, which came into being after the construction of minor power stations.
Typical of the fish farms is the fish farm managed by Ra Hyo Jin which reminds one of a fish breeding "factory" in the forest.
The terraced fish ponds covering scores of hectares which depend on spring water flowing from deep mountains produce every day a lot of fish such as rainbow trout, carps, grass fish and kinyom fish.
Some days ago, General Secretary Kim Jong Il visited the fish farm and noted with great satisfaction that a new modern fish breeding base was built in a short period and set forth highly important tasks which would serve as guidelines in developing the fish culture of the country.
Saying that the fish culture is highly profitable and economic field and the best way to provide people with more fish all the year round, he underscored the need to carry out fish culture in a mass movement by making the best use of all rivers, lakes, springs and spas and thus bring about a new turn in the field.
A brisk work is under way across the country to build new fish ponds, expand and readjust the existing fish farms and find out more springs, spas and other natural water resources to increase the number of fish breeding centers.
Meanwhile, research institutes for fish culture are intensifying researches into a more effective use of fish breeding space through a proper distribution of fish according to water level of ponds to suit the physiological characteristics of different kinds of fish and into the introduction of advanced fish breeding methods to boost fish production.
Greetings to President of Slovakia
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- President Kim Yong Nam of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today sent a message of greetings to President Rudolf Schuster of Slovakia on its National Day.
The message expressed conviction that the friendly relations between the two countries would further strengthen and develop in the mutual interests of the two peoples.
Premier Hong Song Nam of the DPRK cabinet sent a message of greetings to Slovak Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda, and DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun to his Slovak counterpart Eduard Kukan.
Greetings to Libyan leaders
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today sent a message of greetings to Moammer El Gaddafi, leader of the September 1st Revolution of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the great September 1st Revolution.
The message noted that the Korean people are following with deep interest the great successes made by the Libyan Arab people under his leadership in their struggle to defend the dignity and sovereignty of the nation and achieve prosperity of the country under the uplifted banner of independence against imperialism.
Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will continue to grow stronger and develop, the message sincerely wished him and the Libyan people greater success in their work for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Premier of the DPRK cabinet hong song nam sent a message of greetings to Mohammed Ahmed al Mangoush, secretary of the General People's Committee of Libya, and DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun to Omar Mustafa al Muntasir, secretary of the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation.
Greetings to Uzbek President
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a message of greetings to Islam Abuduganiyevich Karimov, President of the Uzbek republic, on the occasion of its Independence Day.
The message wished the president and his people success in their work for the prosperity of the country, expressing the belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would develop on good terms.
Letter to president of S. Korean Red Cross
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Jang Jae On, chairman of the central committee of the DPRK Red Cross Society, sent a letter today to Jong Won Sik, president of the South Korean Red Cross, as regards the very serious illness of old man Kim In So, an unconverted long-term prisoner in South Korea.
Kim In So has been hospitalized at the Kwangju Christian Hospital since the end of last year due to the aftermath of cerebral haemorrhage but is suffering from stomach ulcer, liver trouble, nephritis and other diseases, with paralysis on one side of his body worsening, the letter said, and noted:
He is now in a critical condition in the waning days of his life in South Korea where there are no his kinsmen. Such being the situation, to send him back to his families in the north is a humanitarian issue as well as a legal and political issue = this must be realized.
We make it clear once again that if he is not repatriated to the north and consequently something deplorable happens to him, the South Korean side will be wholly responsible for all the consequences arising therefrom, to say nothing of north-south relations.
Jang Jae On expressed the hope that Jong Won Sik would take a responsible step to send Kim In So back immediately to the North Korea where his families are awaiting, in conformity with the mission of the Red Cross.