Condolence to acting Croatian President
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of condolence to Vlatko Pavletic, acting president of the Republic of Croatia, yesterday over the death of President Franjo Tudjman.
In the message he said upon hearing sad news of the death of the President he expresses deep condolence to Croatian government, people and the bereaved family of the deceased.
Message of condolence to Lao President
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on Dec. 11 sent a message of condolence to Khamtay Siphandone, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, on the death of Oudom Khattiya, member of the political bureau of the central committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and vice-president of the LPDR.
In the message Kim Yong Nam said upon hearing the sad news of the death of the vice-president owing to illness, he expressed deep condolence to the Lao President and, through him, to the government and the people of Laos and the bereaved family of the deceased.
Restart of Syria-Israel talks favored
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK today answered a question put by KCNA concerning restart of Syria-Israel peace talks.
The soon-to-be-held Syria-Israel peace talks is the follow-up of the peace negotiations held till 1996 focussing on the return of Golan Heights to Syria, he said, and continued:
We fully welcome the restart of the talks, considering that it is in full accord with the desire of the people in middle east countries for a lasting peace and security in this region and a step forward promoting Middle East peace process.
We hope that the talks will yield due successes in accordance with international resolutions on Middle East issue, in particular, Golan Heights, and on the "land-for-peace principle" to make substantial contributions to impartial and comprehensive peace in Middle East.
Friendly meeting with Chinese guests
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The international department of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea hosted a friendly meeting with the members of the delegation of the international liaison department of the c.c., the Communist Party of China at Pyongyang Koryo Hotel yesterday.
Invited were members of the delegation of the international liaison department of the c.c., Communist Party of China led by deputy head Ma Wenbao, Chinese ambassador to Korea Wan Yongxiang and embassy officials.
Present there were Kim Yang Gon, department director of the Central Committee of the WPK, and officials concerned.
The participants conversed with each other, deepening the feelings of friendship after viewing the Korean documentary film "the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Guides the Work in Various Fields on the Spot."
Preparatory committee formed in Austria
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- An inaugural meeting of the preparatory committee of Austria was held in Vienna on December 9 to mark the 8th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 82nd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk.
The meeting elected the chairman and the vice-chairmen of the preparatory committee.
Commemorations held abroad
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Lectures, photo exhibitions, film shows and reading sessions took place in India, Egypt, Tanzania, Czech, Mexico and Guyana from Dec. 3 to 7 to commemorate the 8th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 82nd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk.
The Egypt-Korea Friendship Association published a special bulletin titled "Three Commanders of Mt. Paektu."
On display at functions were photos on the military leadership exploits of Kim Jong Il and the feats performed by Kim Jong Suk in her struggles.
Reading session and lectures were organized on such subjects as "outstanding brilliant commander Kim Jong Il" and "woman commander of Mt. Paektu" and the Korean documentary film "the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il guides the work in various fields on the spot," etc. was shown.
The general secretary and the secretary for international affairs of the central committee of the Mexican Socialist People's Party, highly praising the army-first policy of Kim Jong Il, said that the reality in Korea is fully demonstrating the might and vitality of this policy.
Four decades after realization of repatriation
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Four decades have passed since the world-startling return home of Koreans from Japan which was called "great exodus of the nation to socialism from capitalism."
The return home of Koreans from Japan was a valuable product of the deepest compatriotic love of the respected leader Kim Il Sung. It was a historic event that realised the centuries-old desire of Koreans in Japan to live a worthy life under the care of the homeland.
Thanks to his idea of the Juche-based movement of overseas compatriots and superb leadership the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea took a step to welcome Koreans in Japan home any time and provide them with living conditions, through a statement of the foreign minister issued in December Juche 44 (1955) and cabinet order no. 53 of the DPRK made public in June 1956.
The DPRK Red Cross Society and its Japanese counterpart signed an "agreement on the repatriation of Koreans in Japan" in Calcutta of India on August 13, 1959. The return home of Korean nationals in Japan thus came true.
The first ship carrying returnees to the socialist homeland left Niigata port, Japan, on December 14, 1959, and arrived at Chongjin port on December 16, 1959. More than 100,000 Koreans have since returned home in 187 batches over the past 40 years.
They were given a worthy life and happiness in the homeland.
Ko Kun Yong presented a bunch of flowers to the great leader upon the arrival in the homeland aboard the first repatriation ship. He has worked as chief of the chair of the physics department of Kim Il Sung University after graduating from the university.
Kim Kwiguk Dong, who was born aboard second repatriation ship, is a party worker in Songchongang district, Hamhung city, South Hamgyong Province.
The great leader dropped in at newly-married Ri Yong Am's family to show paternal love for it and tell him to study hard. After graduating from Kim Chaek University of Technology ri has become a labor hero, academician, professor and doctor. A musician of the Mansudae Art Troupe Jang Jae Ok became a member of the Worker's Party of Korea and a People's Artiste thanks to the deep political trust of the respected Kim Jong Il.
Among the returnees who devotedly work for the country, people, society and the collective are Kim Il Sung Order winners, including Jang Chol, a two-time winner of Kim Il Sung Order, labor hero and vice-chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly, and winners of Kim Il Sung Prize, Kim Il Sung Youth Honor Prize and those who had an honor of being given citations of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, their autographic letters and thanks.
Chief engineer of the March 4 Factory Ju Chang Hoe and at least 100 returnees have been elected deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly and those to power bodies at all levels to work as faithful servants of the people.
Choe Hyon Thae, Jong Sil and nearly 40 returnees have been awarded titles of hero and heroine for their distinguished services for the country and people. About 40,000 returnees have been honored with high state commendations.
Among the returnees who graduated from universities under the free compulsory schooling in the socialist homeland are more than 30,000 persons with academic degrees or titles, technicians and experts including academicians, professors, doctors and masters.
Ku Pon Thae, vice-Minister of Foreign Trade, Kim Tong Sun, vice department director of the Pyongyang city party committee, and at least 2,000 other returnees are working at party and power organs and working people's organizations.
Some 7,000 returnees are working at scientific, educational and public health institutions and some 1,000 returnees in the fields of physical culture and sports, culture and arts. And hundreds of returnees are active at industrial establishments and on cooperative farms as leading officials.
At least a hundred returnees have been awarded various titles of honor such as people's scientist, people's sportsman, people's artist.
The ardent patriotism and noble dedication displayed by the returnees from Japan are recorded in the shining history of our people who demonstrated the might of Juche Korea to the world, over the last 40 years.
Book on cultural relics popular in South Korea
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- A book "Cultural Relics Shine Brilliantly" which was published in the name of the Minsong Publishing House of South Korea is very popular among people from all walks of life, the Voice of the National Salvation from Seoul quoted the Pusan city committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea as saying.
The book carries photos of the President Kim Il Sung guiding the reconstruction of Tangun's mausoleum on the spot and the great leader Kim Jong Il looking round various relics.
The book has at least 50 photo-illustrated articles on major relics in the North Korea.
Scientific and technological achievements in DPRK
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- This year has witnessed great scientific and technological achievements in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The DPRK set this year as a year of science and directed great efforts to the scientific and technological development and achieved more than a hundred new scientific and technological successes although it was hard pressed for everything.
Over 50 scientific and technological achievements made in electronics, mechanical engineering, bioengineering and other domains are of world value.
In particular, iron-making by oxygen blowing and valuable new scientific achievements made in the field of electronics greatly contributed to further developing the metal industry, cell and gene engineering and hyperfine processing technology.
Scores of scientific and technological achievements including "method of giving heat treatment to large-size crank" and "establishment of voltage-regulating system for TV broadcasting" were highly appreciated for their great practical significance at the 14th National Festival of Science and Technology held in March.
More than 400 programs presented to the recent 10th National Program Contest and exhibition clearly showed the nation's scientific and technological progress.
Among them is the program of computer Go (Paduk) made in the Korean Computer Center, which placed first at the 5th FOST Cup World Computer Go Championships.
Promising Korean athletes
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Korean athletes achieved good successes in international games this year.
Notably, Jong Song Ok appeared like a comet in world athletic circles drawing the attention of the world.
She won a gold medal at the women's marathon race in the 7th World Athletics Championships held in Spain last August.
After crossing the final line, she proudly told reporters that she could win because she ran, picturing in her mind the great leader Kim Jong Il who would wait for the result of the race.
Intense loyalty to the leader and indomitable fighting spirit are the factor of her victory in the world marathon race.
Her victory has greatly encouraged the Korean people who are working hard to overcome difficulties.
Successes were also reported from other sports games this year.
Ri Song Hui set a new world record by jerking 131 kg at the women's 58 kg category in the World Weightlifting Championships held in Athens last November and demonstrated the might of Korea.
The Korean Taekwon-do players won four trophies and 22 medals including 15 gold medals out of a total of 30 gold medals in the 11th World Taekwon-do Championships and came first in the standings of countries.
Kim Yong Gun, Jang Kyong Ok, Kim Kyong Sil, Paek Chun Ok, Kim Yong Sun and other players cut conspicuous figures in the Taekwon-do games.
Hong Ok Dan (marathon), Ri Myong Hwa (Judo), Kang Yong Gyun and Jin Ju Dong (wrestling) and the women's military pentathlon team at the 2nd World Military Games held in Croatia last August defeated their opponents with high skill and strong spirit thus winning gold medals.
Han Hye Gyong and Myong Kum Sun at the military pentathlon broke the world record in the women's hurdle race and hand grenade throwing.
The players of the Korean People's Army won 19 medals in the game.
Kim Ki Hwan and Choe Phyong Guk knocked out their opponents of South Korea at the International Pro-Boxing Game held in China.
Besides, many Korean players won the 13th Asian Wrestling Championships (May, 1999), the Asian Judo Championships (June, 1999), the 8th Asian Junior Athletics Championships, the 8th East Asian Juvenile Table Tennis Championships (August, 1999) and other international tournaments.
For having displayed the might of Juche Korea several players were awarded titles of hero of the DPRK and labour heroes and heroines, people's sportsmen and sportswomen and merited sportsmen and sportswomen.
Korean sportsmen and sportswomen reviewed their successes and experience gained at this year's international tournaments and are giving spurs to the training to win greater victories in the future.
Removal of concrete wall demanded
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea issued a statement on December 6 supporting the appeal of the government, political parties and organizations of the DPRK sent to the governments, political parties and organizations of all countries of the world reflecting the earnest desire of all the Korean people to get the concrete wall torn down and achieve the country's reunification as soon as possible.
The statement said that it is a most urgent issue in guaranteeing peace and security on the Korean peninsula and the rest of Asia and the world to pull down the concrete wall, the barrier dividing the nation built on the Korean peninsula, and realize Korean reunification.
The statement expressed the hope that the governments, political parties and organizations of all countries of the world that love peace and justice would voice support and solidarity to the great Korean people in their pro-reunification, patriotic efforts to get this wall pulled down.
"Northern Limit Line" under fire
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The "Ministry of National Defence" of South Korea, recently clarifying its "stand on the Northern Limit Line", admitted that it was unilaterally set by the U.S. forces side on August 30, 1953 without any discussion or agreement with the north side.
Now that the South Korean authorities themselves admitted that the "Northern Limit Line" is an unjust and illegal one, it has become clear once again that the "line" is a very unjustifiable ghost line without any ground or legal reason, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary.
It goes on:
The "Northern Limit Line" does not accord with the international law of the sea which has been recognized as the universal standards for setting sea boundary. It is a groundless line which ignores the right of 12 mile territorial waters and even the elementary requirement of the international law on the principle of equidistant from islets off the coast of each side. It is, indeed, a totally illegal and brigandish line unilaterally set by the U.S. forces side in the territorial waters of the DPRK in breach of the Korean Armistice Agreement and the international law.
As the illegality of the "Northern Limit Line" has been clearly confirmed, the U.S. and the South Korean authorities should withdraw at once this brigandish line which is gravely encroaching upon the sovereignty and territorial waters of the DPRK and escalating the inter-Korean confrontation and the danger of war against the DPRK.
GIs' massacres condemned
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- For all efforts made by the U.S. to realize its unipolar world strategy this year it remains a daydream, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary.
This strategy faces a strong international opposition as it aims to build a U.S.-dominated world, the commentary says, and goes on:
Europe is pressing ahead with its moves to found its own defence forces after introducing Euro as a multinational currency while big powers like Russia are taking a counteraction against the U.S. which has become more arrogant.
To go in for regional integration is an irreversible trend in almost all regions of the world. What merits particular attention is that regional integration which has been stepped up mostly in the economic field such as formation of a single market and shaping of a common economic policy, etc. has now reached a high level involving political, economic and military fields.
Meanwhile, Japan has become so crafty as to take advantage of the international trend towards multi-polarization. It claims that it along with the U.S. and Europe and other big powers has become one polar of the world.
A strict precaution should be taken against the U.S. unipolar world strategy which may spark a new cold war and moves of Japan which has emerged a dangerous force of aggression.
This is an essential need for humankind to make the international community independent and democratic.
It will be the unanimous wish of humankind in the new century that all the nations, irrespective of the size of territory or the level of development, will take a position as an equal member of the international community.
Infeasible unipolar world strategy
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Working people's meetings are going on in different parts of the country to support the South Korean people in their just patriotic struggle against GIs' massacres committed in the last Korean War.
Meetings were held at the Kaesong Textile Mill, on the Wonhwa co-op farm, Phyongwon county, South Phyongan Province, and the Phyonghwa co-op farm, Panmun county of Kaesong city from December 8 to 12.
The speakers condemned the U.S. aggressors for brutally massacring peaceable civilians not only in South Korea but in various parts of the North Korea during the last Korean War.
Noting that the U.S. brutes committed thrice-cursed atrocities unprecedented in history and beyond human imagination, they declared that the Korean people would never pardon them.
S. Korean rulers keen on introducing new type war equipment
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The South Korean ruling quarters on sunday announced that they introduced ultra-modern watch equipment, a type of marine watch information system, from the U.S. and they would deploy it for action within the first half of the year 2000, a Seoul-based radio reported.
The warmongers said that the introduction of the equipment capable of "distinguishing the north's ships and planes from others" would "expand the radius of marine operation."
Meanwhile, the "Minister of National Defense" of South Korea said on the same day the development of "multi-purpose gas mask" is under way and it would be completed for supply until march of next year.
This lays bare the bellicose nature of the South Korean ruling quarters who are stepping up war preparations against the north in all aspects under the patronage of the U.S.
S. Korean trade unions declare anti-"government" struggle
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Trade unions in South Korea reportedly declared a strong anti-"government" struggle.
The chairman of the Federation of South Korean Trade Unions (FSKTU) at a press conference on Dec. 13 denounced the authorities for refusing to meet such demands as payment of wages to trade union officials, guarantee of their activities and declared that it would stage an all-out anti-"government" struggle.
The FSKTU decided to hold a large-scale workers' meeting in front of the "National Assembly" building on Dec. 14 to condemn the present "government's" crimes and launch a political struggle including a general strike on Dec. 17 and 23.
In another development, the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions declared it would rise in an anti-"government" struggle on Dec. 14.
It decided to call a general strike of trade unions to denounce the case of "inducing the mint company trade union to strike" and hold a protest meeting in front of the "National Assembly" building every day and an anti-"government" rally in all parts of South Korea.
KCNA on despicable act
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The South Korean "Minister of National Defense," Jo Song Thae, reportedly referred to the spray of defoliant on a policy debate show on KBS-TV on December 12. He said that "it is inappropriate to hold the U.S. responsible for it because the South Korean government ultimately decided to use the chemical."
His statement was meant to shield crimes committed by the U.S., which can be made only by a sycophantic element staking his fate on the U.S.
No one can deny that the U.S. is wholly responsible for the spraying of defoliant.
It is an open secret that the defoliant was sprayed in the demilitarized zone south of the Military Demarcation Line under the baton of the then commander of the U.S. forces present in South Korea with the approval by the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
His allegation that it is inappropriate to hold the U.S. responsible for the spray is the height of impudence because the U.S. worked out an operation for the spray of defoliant, supplied the substance and supervised it. This is an intolerable insult to the fellow countrymen demanding the U.S. apology and compensation.
It betrays his true colors as a dyed-in-the-wool colonial servant of his master.
It invites public indignation and resentment as he defended such serious crimes against humanity as devastating the inalienable land of the nation and endangering the safety of many people.
A historical fact can neither be distorted nor erased.
No matter how hard Jo may try to conceal the historical fact to curry favour with his master, he cannot minimize his crimes.
Such a sycophantic traitor as Jo who decries the nation should be removed and severely punished by the fellow countrymen.
Struggle, way of retaking right to existence
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- It is quite natural for the South Korean people to turn out in a courageous struggle for democracy and right to existence, which is the exercise of an inalienable, legitimate right.
Minju Joson today, commenting on the struggle of the South Korean workers, peasants, youth and students and people of other social strata for democracy and right to existence, which is gaining momentum as days go by, stresses this in a signed commentary.
The commentary says the massive struggle going on throughout South Korea is the eruption of pent-up resentment and wrath at the authorities who are inflicting political non-rights, destitution, misfortunes and pains upon the people.
It expresses backing for their struggle and expresses belief that the South Korean workers will keep on their dynamic struggle against "restructuring" and lay-off and for total repeal of the "security law" and wage hike.
The South Korean workers, peasants and youth and students should continue an unyielding fight in firm unity until their just demands are met, adds the commentary.