Kim Yong Nam meets Indian ambassador
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a talk with Jagjit Singh Sapra, Indian ambassador E.P. to the DPRK when the latter paid a farewell visit to him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there was Pak Tong Chun, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.
DPRK FM meets new ambassador of Austria
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister of the DPRK Paek Nam Sun met and had a talk with newly appointed ambassador of Austria to Korea Erich Buttenhauser who paid a courtesy call on him today.
Roger Clinton and his party leave
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- U.S. pop singer Roger Clinton and his party left today after concluding their Korean visit at the invitation of the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee (KAPPC).
They were seen off at the airport by Ri Jong Hyok, vice-chairman of the KAPPC, and Song Sok Hwan, vice-Minister of Culture.
Before their departure, they hosted a reception at Pyongyang Koryo Hotel Tuesday evening in connection with their Korea visit.
Aid materials from Mongolian government
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- Aid materials sent by the Mongolian government to the DPRK reached Pyongyang.
Mongolian ambassador to the DPRK Damdiny Byamba handed them to officials concerned today.
The aid materials will encourage the Korean people in the second grand Chollima march to achieve the prosperity of the country under the wise guidance of the great Kim Jong Il.
Sri Lankan preparatory committee formed
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- A preparatory committee was formed in Sri Lanka on Dec. 2 to commemorate the 8th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 82nd birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk.
At the inaugural meeting, Minister of Professional Education and Rural Industry of Sri Lanka Amarashiri G. H. Donangoda was elected honorary chairman, and vice-chairman of the Self-reliance Study Society Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra chairman of the preparatory committee.
KCNA on Cohen's absurd logic
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- It was reported that U.S. Secretary of Defense Cohen, addressing the NATO defense ministers meeting held on December 2, reminded the European countries of "the potential threat of ballistic missiles from North Korea", etc. In a bid to solicit their understanding, while reviewing the U.S. "National Missile Defense" programme to cope with it.
By repeating this absurd logic the U.S. betrayed its undisguised intention to be fool international community and have a strategic edge as the world's only superpower.
It is undeniable common sense that the DPRK's missile cannot pose a threat to the U.S. If the U.S. does not intend to invade the DPRK, there will be no need to talk about any "threat."
It is sheer hypocrisy for the U.S. to raise a hue and cry over "threat" from small countries now that the east-west cold war is over.
It is an open secret that the aim sought by the U.S. under this absurd pretext is to have an unchallenged edge not only in strategic attack weapons, not subject to the anti-ballistic missile treaty signed in 1972, but in the land defense system.
Its immediate specific goal to this end is to establish "National Missile Defense" system and "Theatre Missile Defense" system.
The U.S. is trying to use Japan and NATO member states in establishing an unchallenged domination over the world.
However, the U.S. absurd logic for world domination is rejected even by its "allies." It is clearly proved by the fact that a resolution repudiating the "National Missile Defense" system and "Theatre Missile Defense" system was adopted by an overwhelming majority at the recent UN General Assembly.
The U.S. is well advised to drop its brigandish logic.
DPRK FM spokesman on what is going on inside U.S. congress
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea answered the question put by KCNA today over the heated congress debate on the Korean issue.
He said: Ill-boding moves are surfacing at the U.S. congress these days to vitiate the climate for improving the DPRK-U.S. relations.
At the Berlin talks held in September and November both sides agreed to hold high-level talks to discuss pending issues in near future, depending on a climate to be created for them.
However, republican congressmen are threatening to prevent the administration from carrying out its policy towards the DPRK even by invoking legislative power, calling for a "more tough measure" to force it to change its system.
Such assertions are casting shadow over the prospect of the DPRK-U.S. high-level talks.
It is hard to guess which is the true U.S. policy out of the conflicting policy options of the two parties towards the DPRK with the U.S. presidential election at hand.
We will never tolerate anyone's policy if it is aimed to disarm or force us to change our system.
Such being the situation, it cannot but be a great adventure for us to discuss and decide such important affair as the issue of our missile capacity with the present U.S. administration which has only one year left.
In fact, we hear assertions made by different domains in the DPRK that the present U.S. administration's policy towards the DPRK is intended to disarm and destroy it step by step in the end.
They prefer the republicans' assertion to be adopted as a U.S. policy to compel them to confront the U.S. militarily.
In other words, we are fully prepared for both events:
Improvement of relations with the U.S. and showdown with it.
The point is which side the debate now going on in the U.S. on its policy towards the DPRK will favour.
We will watch the attitude of the U.S. congress and make our appropriate decision.
Self-supporting economy and independent politics
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article underlines the need for each nation to build a powerful self-supporting economy with its blood and sweat so as to follow independent politics.
Following independent politics means solving all problems by one's own efforts in the interests of the nation and country in accordance with his will, not at others' dictates.
Independent politics can prove effective only when supported by a solid self-supporting national economy.
It is quite evident that one can not express his own view, while eating the cold food offered by foreigners in the house provided by them and going in clothes also given by them.
Only when people benefit from the independent economy built by them with their own blood and sweat, though not flamboyant, can they defend their national dignity and pursue politics according to their will.
Without an independent national economy there will be no victory in the political confrontation with the imperialists.
They are making every possible effort to stifle militarily and economically those countries which hold fast to the independent political line.
Mighty power is required to successfully follow independent politics in this life-and-death struggle.
This power is provided by the self-supporting national economy.
A self-supporting national economy alone will make it possible to build powerful defense forces and keep to the road of independence without any vacillation, defying economic blockade of the imperialists.
Three-way solidarity called for
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- Korean reunification will come when all the Koreans in the north, south and abroad firmly unite under the banner of patriotism and national reunification to strengthen three-way solidarity, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article.
Noting that it is an important way for reunification of Korea and great national unity to realize free visits and contacts among fellow countrymen and strengthen solidarity and alliance among them, the article says:
Korean reunification is an issue to be solved by the whole nation by its will and united strength not by any of the two parts of Korea or any party.
It is essential for the whole nation to pool its will, wisdom and strength to struggle for the reunification of the country.
That is why reunification movement organizations at home and abroad should be united in a body to share common destiny.
The driving force for reunification can grow stronger and the cause of reunification can be accomplished only when the reunification movement organizations in the north, south and abroad strengthen and develop solidarity and alliance, firmly united under the common motto of national reunification.
The path covered by the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) with pride in the past proved the might of the three-way solidarity of the Koreans in the north, south and overseas in the efforts for national reunification.
In order to reunify the country, it is necessary to strengthen the three-way solidarity at present and consolidate Pomminryon, an umbrella organization, for it.
Pomminryon must firmly unite all Koreans on the principle of placing the common interests of the nation above all irrespective of differences in ideology and others and escalate the three-way solidarity with a view to realizing the solidarity and alliance of reunification movement organizations at home and abroad.
All the patriotic organizations for reunification in the north, south and abroad should avail themselves of all occasions and possibilities to achieve inter-organization, inter-circle solidarity, bilateral and multilateral solidarity and undertake a widespread struggle for solidarity and alliance. No force on earth can match this strength.
Military confrontation leads to self-destruction
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- The South Korean ruling quarters have come in for strong criticism by Minju Joson today in a signed commentary for their official announcement that they would build new-type destroyers equipped with u.s.-Made missiles in the year 2000, too.
It clearly indicates that the self-proclaimed "people's" ruling quarters are more cruel and vicious group of warmongers than their predecessors, the commentary says, and goes on:
Their official announcement is part of their moves to trigger off the second west sea intrusion incident in a bid to ignite a war against the north.
The DPRK will not remain a mere onlooker to these moves but strongly retaliate against them, the commentary warns.
Fine art exhibition
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- A fine art exhibition is now being held at the Mansudae Art Studio, a general art creation center of Korea, amid deep concern of the Pyongyangites on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.
Exhibited there are over 700 pieces of works such as Korean paintings Korean jewel paintings, oil paintings, sculptures, embroideries and porcelains of different themes.
In particular, many new works vividly depicting immortal exploits of three commanders of Mt. Paektu are exhibited there drawing attention of visitors.
Korean paintings "long journey for anti-Japanese bloody battles" and "finding himself on the height in flames" displayed there depict well the noble revolutionary exploit of the President Kim Il Sung who devoted his whole life to the fatherland and the people.
Other Korean paintings such as "the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il inspiring Jagang provincial people to a cheerful march" and "march for victory" truly reflect the exploits and quality of the great leader Kim Jong Il who is leading the building of a powerful nation in the van.
A graphic painting "the great communist revolutionary fighter comrade Kim Jong Suk finding herself among women pilots" and others show well the benevolent traits and immortal exploits of Kim Jong Suk on an artistic canvas.
There are many art works which depict the revolutionary will and faith of the Korean people who are building a powerful nation and which are clear in ideological and thematic contents and great in cognitive and educational value.
Typical of them are Korean paintings "flames in Songgang", "the only way out is self-reliance" and "let us advance cheerfully though our path is thorny", a woodcut "spirit of Taehongdan", a landscape painting "Kim Jong Ilia in full bloom at the native house in the secret camp of Mt. Paektu" and a Korean jewel painting "Ssangji rock on Mt. Chilbo".
All works displayed there vividly show the development of Juche-oriented art in Korea.
Hero pump Ragwon 1
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- In the DPRK, the decades of socialist construction spurred on by the Chollima movement have produced many machines of particular merit.
An example is a mammoth pump Ragwon 1, a product of self-reliance manufactured by the workers at the Ragwon Machine Complex on the sheer debris after the Korean War (June 1950-july 1953).
The first of its kind ever produced in Korea, it carried out the first pumping for the commissioning of the Kiyang irrigation project. It has ever since for forty years pumped out 1.12 billion tons of water, irrigating scores of thousands of hectares of fields and providing industrial and drinking water in four counties in South Phyongan Province and six districts in Nampho city.
The Kiyang irrigation company has kept the pump at full capacity by replacing its impellers with steel ones and adopting some 100 items of technical improvement.
With a brilliant record on the chollima movement, it still maintains its integrity on the second Chollima movement.
S. Korean ruler's moves to incite inter-Korean confrontation flayed
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- Some days ago, South Korean brass-hats including the "Minister of National Defense" and commanders of army corps and upward at a "meeting of major commanding officers of the three services" incited a war fever by raising again the oft-repeated hue and cry over "infiltration and provocation" from someone and "possible total war."
Jo Song Thae, "Minister of National Defense," in an "address" called for "sustaining military preparedness to cope with threat from the north."
A signed commentary of Rodong Sinmun today dismisses their outbursts as a revelation of their criminal intention to launch a war to seize the north at any cost by seriously provoking it and escalating inter-Korean confrontation.
It is an ill-boding development that they are busy with military confabs, stepping up arms buildup more frantically than ever before, the commentary says, and goes on:
Their pursuance of war in league with outside forces is as foolish an act as jumping into fire with faggot on their backs.
Saber-rattling by warmongers at home and abroad arouses our high vigilance.
The warlords are well advised to properly judge their opponent and stop running amuck.
We are fully prepared to annihilate any aggressors and provokers at one stroke.
The South Korean authorities had better not run wild but cool down their heads overheated with anti-north war fever.
Seminar held in S. Korea
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- Members of the Society of Patriotic Vanguards for Reunification in South Korea held a seminar on the subject "let us greet 2000 with new turning-point in reunification movement" on Nov. 25, according to information of the Seoul city committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea quoted by the radio Voice of National Salvation.
The participants in the seminar expressed their determination to carry through the three-point charter of national reunification put forward by the President Kim Il Sung.
The seminar adopted a decision on upholding the respected Kim Jong Il as a lodestar of national reunification and following him and encouraging the South Korean people to make a sincere contribution to the erection of the monument to the three-point charter of national reunification now under construction in Pyongyang so that it may stand as a grand monument of the nation generation after generation.
S. Korean trade unions stage all-night sit-in
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of South Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) staged an all-night sit-in on the night of December 6 denouncing the business groups' steps not to pay wages to the trade union officials, said a radio report from Seoul.
The KCTU had a brief meeting in front of the building of the "National Assembly" before entering into the all-night sit-in. It stated that they would continue their struggle to have their demands met till Dec. 18 when the "National Assembly" session would be over.
It also declared that it would hold a big workers rally to be attended by more than 20,000 unionists in Seoul on December 10 to strongly demand the "government" and the business sides institute a special law calling for the reduction of working hours and revise the "labour law," and so on.
Meanwhile, the FKTU staged an all-night sit-in inside the building of the "national congress for new politics."
At a press conference held on December 7 it declared that they would call a general strike if their demands are not met.
Reorganization of U.S. forces in Asia-Pacific region
Pyongyang, December 8 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article discloses what the U.S. seeks in reorganizing its forces in the Asia-Pacific region.
The U.S. is reorganizing their forces in the Asia-Pacific region, the daily says, and goes on:
They have resorted to every conceivable means and method to destroy Korean socialism, but in vain.
The only way out for them is to implement new "operation plan 5027-98" intended to start a war of aggression on the DPRK.
This is why the U.S. is stepping up the reorganization of their forces in the Asia-Pacific region at the final stage.
They are going to jump into a total war in a bid to establish an unchallenged domination over Asia under the situation in which South Korean people are intensifying anti-U.S., anti-war and anti-regime struggle and Asian people are vigorously struggling against the Japanese militarist maneuvers for reinvasion as the days go by.
Today they are getting frantic in their moves to unleash a war of aggression against the DPRK and other progressive Asian countries, retaining hold on South Korea as their strongpoint at any cost.
They give top priority to South Korea in their Asia-Pacific strategy as the Korean peninsula is the place of sharp confrontation between the revolution and counter-revolution and between socialism and imperialism and the DPRK is growing stronger day by day.
The situation in the Asia-Pacific region is being further aggravated and a danger of war is mounting owing to the reorganization of the U.S. forces.