Reception by Korea-China Friendship Association
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- The north Hamgyong provincial committee of the Korea-China Friendship Association gave a reception on Tuesday on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
Invited were Liu Zhigang, Chinese consul-general in Chongjin, and consulate general officials.
Present were Kim Song Gwon, vice-chairman of the north Hamgyong provincial people's committee and chairman of the north Hamgyong provincial committee of the Korea-China Friendship Association, and officials concerned.
Speeches were made there.
DPRK FM calls press conference in New York
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun attending the 54th session of the UN General Assembly called a press conference at the UN building on Sept. 25.
News media reporters of over 20 countries and regions including U.S., Japan, Britain and France were present at the press conference.
The Foreign Minister said that soldiers and people are firmly defending socialism of Korean style, overcoming all trials, single-heartedly united around the great leader Kim Jong Il under his revolutionary leadership of giving priority to the army.
The DPRK government calls for realizing national reunification by means of confederation with great national unity on the three principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity, he stressed.
He strongly rejected the "sunshine policy" and "engagement policy" of the South Korean authorities. He said the South Korean authorities should repeal the "National Security Law," stop depending on the foreign forces and turn to the position of national independence in order to remove the state of confrontation between the north and south and promote national reconciliation and unity.
Referring to the issue of the DPRK-U.S. relations, he said that if the U.S. abandons its idea of Cold War hostile to the DPRK and shows good faith, we will improve relations with the U.S. on the principle of equality and mutual benefit. To this end the U.S. should implement the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework with sincerity, he added.
Then he answered questions put by reporters.
DPRK FM meets Foreign Ministers
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister paek nam sun separately met the Foreign Ministers of Cuba, Syria, Iran, Singapore, Denmark, Algeria, Guyana, Malaysia, Philippines, Italy and China, the Senegalese and Mali ministers of foreign affairs and overseas compatriots, the Belarussian Foreign Minister who is also deputy prime minister and the foreign ministers of Laos and Vietnam who are also deputy prime ministers, in New York from Sept. 20 to 24.
The Iranian Foreign Minister said that to strengthen the defence power of the country is a matter belonging to the sovereignty of each country in which no one should interfere. He hoped that the Korean people would realize national reunification without any interference of outside forces.
The Senegal Minister of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Compatriots said that each country has the right to work out policies in the interests of its people and that nobody should interfere in the missile launch of the DPRK for self-defense.
Other foreign ministers expressed their support for the struggle of the Korean people for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country and said they would lift their voices supporting the Korean people's struggle.
Paek Nam Sun also met the Finnish secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Swiss, Austrian and Norwegian secretaries of state of the foreign ministries.
New books brought out
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- New books have been off the press in Korea.
The Kum Song Youth Press Group brought out books "Under the Loving Care of the Three Great Persons," "Our Heaven," "DPRK Flag" and other books.
"Under the Loving Care of the Three Great Persons" gives an anecdotal depiction of the noble love of the three commanders of Mt. Paektu for an anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter, who was boundlessly faithful to the President Kim Il Sung during the sacred struggle for the liberation of the country and the freedom and happiness of the people, and his family.
The book, through the life of a family, tells about the glory, happiness and pride of the Korean people and youth in leading a blessed life under the loving care of the sun.
"Our Heaven" consists of 30 lyric poems and 6 novelettes, which highly praise General Secretary Kim Jong Il for performing immortal exploits in human history through his extraordinary ideological and theoretical activities and outstanding leadership and proudly says he is the destiny and heaven of the nation.
The press group also brought out "Homes Where Heroes Grew Up," "Marks of Life," "Defend Human Being" and other books reflecting the devoted fighting spirit and feats of young people in building a rich and powerful country.
The book "Homes Where Heroes Grew Up" reflecting the school days of young heroes Kil Yong Jo and Kim Kwang Chol is popular among schoolchildren and students.
The Literature and Art Press Group brought out novels "Now Is Spring," "Spring Lawn," "Horizon" and "Laurel" and medium-length story "Ocean in Flame."
The Scientific Encyclopedia Press Group, the working people's organisations publishing house and other publishing houses printed "Eternal True Records," "New Legend of Blessing," "365 Days Embroidered in Mountains and Streams of the Country" and tens of other books.
Foreign paddlers here
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- The Chinese and Japanese teams arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday to participate in the 13th Pyongyang International Invitational Table Tennis Games.
The Indian and Iranian teams arrived here earlier.
Letter of protest to S. Korean authorities
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- Martin Lotscher, chairman of the Swiss Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification, sent a letter of protest to the South Korean authorities on September 16.
The letter bitterly denounced the South Korean authorities for illegally arresting the six delegates of South Korea who had participated in the 99 Grand Pro-Reunification Festival for the Independence and Great Unity of the Nation and the 10th pan-national rally last August.
The letter said their arrest is an anti-national, anti-reunification act and a violation of human rights.
The Pyongyang visit of the South Korean reunification envoys is a praiseworthy action to realise national reunification, the supreme desire of all the Korean people, and it can never be incriminated, the letter noted, demanding they be set free unconditionally and a criminal anti-reunification stand be dropped.
10th national program contest and exhibition
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- The 10th National Program Contest and Exhibition was held at the three revolution exhibition in Pyongyang.
Displayed there were more than 360 valuable programs developed by scientists and technicians in hearty response to the policy of the Worker's Party of Korea on attaching importance to science and technology. The programs will contribute to developing the Juche-oriented computer programming technology needed for economic construction and the promotion of the standard of people's living.
Four programs including a program for translating Korean into Japanese developed by the university of science and a program for the development of a system of automating production processes by Kim Chaek University of Technology were listed as special ones and 20 programs placed first.
A closing ceremony was held yesterday in the presence of Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, and others.
30th birth anniversary of Mansudae Art Troupe marked
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- The Mansudae Art Troupe has celebrated the 30th anniversary of its birth.
General Secretary Kim Jong Il organized the art troupe on Sept. 27, Juche 58 (1969).
Over the last three decades the art troupe has greatly contributed to the development and efflorescence of the Juche-oriented art.
What occupies a special place in its glorious history is that it has successfully given hundreds of performances during the important functions held in the presence of the President Kim Il Sung and the Marshal Kim Jong Il.
The troupe has created many works eulogizing the greatness of the President and the Marshal.
It found out and most truthfully depicted immortal classical masterpieces such as the revolutionary opera "the Flower Girl" and conducted art propaganda activities of frontline style at production and construction sites.
The art troupe is well known to the world.
The art troupe has successfully performed in different countries, fully demonstrating the might of the Juche-oriented art developing and efflorescing under the leadership of the Worker's Party of Korea.
The art troupe was awarded "Kim Il Sung Order" for successes in its art creative activities.
The Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea sent a congratulatory message to the creators and artistes of the art troupe on its 30th birth anniversary.
A celebration meeting was held yesterday.
DPRK FM calls for establishing fair int'l economic relations
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun in his speech at the meeting of G-77 foreign ministers on Sept. 24 called for establishing fair international economic relations.
He said:
The south summit, slated to take place in Havana next year, should be one of unity and solidarity demonstrating the firm stand and will of the developing countries to eradicate negative impacts of "globalization" and establish fair international economic relations.
For the developing countries to achieve economic progress in the new millennium, first of all, each of them should build a self-supporting national economy and increase economic independence, while pursuing an economic development policy to suit its own level and actual conditions.
The south summit should provide an important occasion of building a new south-south economic order by adopting a broad-based action programme to further strengthen the development strategy of the south and the south-south cooperation vis-a-vis the present international economic relations.
Speakers said that the developing countries must make efforts to establish a fair international economic order and take measures for their full and effective participation in adopting decisions on world economic issues.
They demanded that the developed countries take actions to open market for export of the developing countries, promote investment and transfer of technology to developing countries and cut down their debts.
The meeting adopted a declaration, a statement on the south summit and a report of the meeting of G-77 senior working officials which was held prior to the meeting.
Foreign figures confident of DPRK's emergence as powerful nation
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- Foreign guests who had visited the DPRK said they were greatly impressed by the Korean people's drive to build a powerful socialist nation.
Chairman of the Latin American Institute of the Juche Idea Jose Francisco Aguilar Bulgarelli said that the last five years were a period of rigorous trials for the Korean people but they, firmly rallied around the great Kim Jong Il, have neither stopped nor slowed down their advance in face of trials but have made steady progress under the uplifted banner of the Juche idea.
Chairman of the Mt. Paektu Czech-Korean Friendship Association Jiri Jarka said that the day is not far off when the Korean people will startle the world by building a powerful socialist nation in Korea just as they did when they launched a satellite last year on their own efforts.
Representative of the Organization for the Study of the Juche Idea of Ethiopia Bewketu Tassew stressed that the Korean people are sure to win a shining victory in the building of a powerful socialist nation as they are stepping up the second grand Chollima march under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, an outstanding man of the century.
Seminars on Kim Jong Suk's life and feats
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- A joint seminar on the life and feats of Kim Jong Suk was held jointly by the government, political parties and organizations of Guyana in Georgetown on Sept. 22 on the occasion of her 50th death anniversary.
The Minister of Amerindian Affairs of Guyana and the general secretary of the Good Green Guyana in their speeches said that Kim Jong Suk is a paragon who teaches the Guyanese women how to participate in the socio-political activities and how to render services to the development of the country and the nation.
The outstanding exploit performed by the anti-Japanese heroine Kim Jong Suk was that she laid a cornerstone for carrying forward the cause of Juche-oriented revolution in Korea, they noted.
A seminar was held by the Youth Committee for the Study of Kimilsungism in Karachi, Pakistan on the same day.
Kanggye Garment Factory
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- The Kanggye Garment Factory is one of garment exporters in Korea.
Overcoats, wadded sleeveless jackets, padded winter clothes, coats, raincoats and so on produced by the factory are popular among customers at home and abroad.
Over 60 percent of the employees of the factory equipped with modern facilities are engineers, assistant engineers and highly skilled workers.
Its products are exported to European countries whose demands are on a steady increase.
According to Ro Hae Sun, manager of the factory, the scope of its production will swell 1.7 times to meet the demand.
General Secretary Kim Jong Il visited the factory on September 13 this year and saw its products. He was satisfied to see the factory fulfilling its production assignments despite difficult conditions.
The workers of the factory are now striving hard to boost the production of garments of different varieties.
U.S. urged to conclude peace accord
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- The United States insists that the north and the south of Korea are parties responsible for the issue of concluding a peace accord, which is instrumental in keeping peace on the Korean peninsula.
However, peace accord should be concluded between the DPRK and the U.S., signatories to the Korean Armistice Agreement, stresses Rodong Sinmun today, refuting the "contention."
The news analyst of the paper says:
Whatever the reason, the South Korean authorities can never be a party concerned for the conclusion of peace accord.
To replace the KAA with a peace accord is what should be done by the DPRK and the United States.
There is no need nor legal and theoretical ground to invite a third party to meddle in this matter. Meanwhile, any of the DPRK and U.S. sides is not obliged to shift its legal obligation and qualification as a party concerned onto other party.
It is also the DPRK and the U.S. who have a mandate to conclude a peace accord and implement it in a responsible manner.
The U.S. contention is, therefore, nothing but a shameless and meaningless sophism that does not work on the DPRK.
Release of pro-reunification patriots demanded
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- The South Korean "national headquarters of struggle for checking the U.S. and Japanese war moves, economic aggression and plunder against the Korean peninsula, abrogating the 'National Security Law' and smashing security-oriented repression" reportedly introduced the undaunted struggle of the delegates, who had participated in the August 15 Grand Pan-National Pro-Reunification Festival in Pyongyang and are now imprisoned in Seoul, and the South Korean people's struggle for their release.
The delegates are advisor Ra Chang Sun and youth representative So Won Chol of the south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification = Ri Song U, Pak Ki Su and Kang Hyong Gu of the "National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification" = and Hwang Hye Ro 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.
The South Korean rulers issued in advance warrants of arrest for the delegates and walked them away as soon as they went back across the demarcation line in Panmunjom.
They are now persecuting the delegates behind bars by employing such sinister means as appeasement, threat and operation for disorganization.
However, the delegates are fighting unyieldingly, ready to die for national reunification, though they are suffering from diseases. They declared that they would continue their struggle to get the "national security law" repealed and introduce the validity of their Pyongyang visit.
Meanwhile, 20 odd family members of the delegates formed a family measure committee and declared they would persist in the daily struggle for meeting with them. They called for conducting vigorous activities for expressing support for the delegates and demanding their release.
Rallies are being held almost every day with attendance of organizations and people from different social standings to denounce the authorities for having detained the six delegates.
School good at boxing
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- The Puhung Senior Middle School in Pyongyang is well known as a good breeder of promising young boxers.
The school has been crowned with phenomenal success in national junior boxing games and other tournaments: 6 trophies and some 400 gold medals.
More than 100 boys, after leaving the school, have been admitted to various teams. Among them the six have become merited athletes.
Credit for this is given to Ri Sung Baek, physical education teacher.
The state encouraged each school to specialize in one or two events. True to its call, he organized a boxing group and devoted his all to the training of young pugilists for two decades.
He worked out appropriate programs that suit the age and physical fitness of trainees. He often took the boys to the senior boxers to see their bouts.
Meanwhile, better conditions were provided for the young fighters = a spacious training hall was set up and athletic apparatus was given.
The boxing group grew from twenty to several dozens.
After school they often hold matches with other teams to practice their skills and gain experience.
In the course of this, the school has produced many promising pugilists.
The young boxers are now under intensive training to win the national game scheduled in October.
Ground-breaking ceremony for construction held
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- A ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Pyongyang Indoor Sports Complex was held today.
Present at the ceremony were chairman Kim Yong Sun of the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee and officials concerned and builders.
Also present there were Honorary Chairman Jong Ju Yong and his party, a sports team and working officials' group of the Hyundai Business Group of South Korea.
Kim Yong Sun in his speech said that Honorary Chairman Jong Ju Yong initiated the construction of the sports complex and visited Pyongyang again to attend the ground-breaking ceremony.
He highly praised this as an admirable patriotic decision for the country and the nation.
If sports persons of the north and the south have joint training and play games together in the completed indoor sports complex in future, more sports stars like praise- worthy daughter of the nation Jong Song Ok will emerge to demonstrate the national dignity and honor to the world and that will greatly contribute to promoting national reconciliation and unity and bringing earlier the reunification of the country, he added.
Chairman of Hyundai Business Group Jong Mong Hon said in his speech that the construction of the sports complex is expressive of a patriotic intention to contribute to the national unity and cooperation and national reunification through exchange and cooperation in sports.
He expressed the belief that the Pyongyang Indoor Sports Complex to be constructed with the joint cooperation of the north and the south would stand as a center of inter-Korean sports exchanges and a token of national reconciliation and cooperation.
There was an explanation about the complex.
Kim Yong Sun, Jong Ju Yong and one other cut off a tape declaring the ground-breaking for the construction.
Talks between the DPRK and Angolan government delegations
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- Talks were held here today between the government delegations of the DPRK and the Republic of Angola.
The two sides discussed an issue of further developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and peoples and a series of matters of mutual concern.
Present at the talks were vice-Minister of Public Health Choe Chang Sik and officials concerned on the DPRK side and members of the delegation led by Minister of Health Adelino Manassas da Silva Neto on the Angolan side.
Greetings to Botswana President
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to Festus G. Mogae, President of the Republic of Botswana, on Sept. 27 on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of its independence.
The message expressed the belief that the friendly relations existing between the two countries will grow stronger and develop in the future and wished the president and the people of Botswana greater success in their work for the prosperity of the country.
KEDO senior experts delegation arrives
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- A senior experts delegation of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization arrived here yesterday by air to discuss the issues related to the Light Water Reactor project.
S. Koreans visit home of "marathon queen"
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- Jong Ju Yong, Honorary Chairman of the Hyundai Business Group of South Korea, and his entourage today visited the home of Jong Song Ok, "marathon queen" of the world.
Jong Song Ok, DPRK hero and People's Sportsman, warmly welcomed the visitors and talked with them in an atmosphere of compatriotic feelings.
The visitors said Jong Song Ok was great in racing faster at the final stage in the marathon game and that they were deeply moved when seeing the game on TV in South Korea. They added that her placing first in the women's marathon game marked an important occasion that opened a very bright prospect for the sports development of the Korean nation.
They expressed hope that she would live up to the nation's expectation by registering good results continuously in future.
Jong Song Ok told the visitors that she believed north and South Korean athletes can place first at world games if they jointly take part. She expressed belief that Korea would certainly become the "kingdom" of sports if the north and the south join hands in developing sports.
She asked the visitors to enjoy good health and make greater contributions to the reunification of the country as General Secretary Kim Jong Il wishes.
The visitors looked round the inside of the house of Jong Song Ok and her family and gave them souvenirs.
Basketball games between north and south
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- Basketball games were held between the DPRK and the Hyundai Business Group of South Korea held in Pyongyang today.
The Pyorak men's basketball team and the Hoeori women's basketball team of the DPRK had games with the men's and women's basketball teams of the Hyundai Business Group.
The both teams showed high techniques, displaying their stubborn fighting spirit and perseverance with the pride of participating in the first game between the north and south. The Hoeori team won the women's game 95-93 and the Pyorak team the men's game 102-71.
Chairman of the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee Kim Yong Sun and Honorary Chairman of the South Korean Hyundai Business Group Jong Ju Yong saw the games.