Peruvian national preparatory committee inaugurated
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- An inaugural meeting of the Peruvian national preparatory committee was held in lima on Dec. 16 to celebrate the 58th birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Chairman of the Peru-Korea Institute of Culture and Friendship was elected chairman of the preparatory committee at the meeting.
The meeting discussed a program to hold multifarious events on this day.
Wreath laid before Kim Jong Suk's bust
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Women of foreign embassies and missions of international organizations here laid a wreath on Dec. 22 before the bust of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong on the occasion of her 82nd birth anniversary.
Written on the ribbon hanging from the wreath were letters "The revolutionary feats of the great communist revolutionary fighter comrade Kim Jong Suk will be immortal." Meanwhile, a film show for them was held at Pyongyang Koryo Hotel on this occasion.
Association for friendship and cultural liaison formed
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The Georgian Association for Friendship and Cultural Liaison with the DPRK was inaugurated in Tbilisi under the co-sponsorship of the Georgian Societies for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the International Association Stalin.
Grigol Oniani, chairman of the International Association Stalin, was elected chairman of the association at the inaugural meeting.
Korean book, photo and handiwork exhibition opens in Russia
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A Korean book, photo and handiwork exhibition opened in Moscow on the occasion of 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 Kim Jong Suk.
Displayed in the exhibition were famous works of the President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il and books, photos and handiwork on their immortal exploits.
Present at the opening ceremony were first vice-chairman of the Council of the Union of Communist Parties-the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Konstantin Nikolayev, figures of political, public and press circles and people from all walks of life.
Prior to the ceremony, they laid floral baskets before the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
Speakers at the ceremony said that under the superb and seasoned leadership of Kim Jong Il the Korean people have been able to frustrate the moves of the U.S.-led imperialist reactionaries to isolate and suffocate the DPRK and firmly defend the socialist cause.
They added that the immortal exploits performed by Kim Jong Suk would be cherished forever in the mind of humankind and remain shining brilliantly.
Poet Alexander Brezhnev recited a poem "the Great Comrade Kim Jong Il" written by himself in reverence for Kim Jong Il.
Reception given by Vietnamese military attach
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Military attach of the Vietnamese embassy here Vu Dinh Thang gave a reception at the embassy on Dec. 22 on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Vietnamese People's Army.
Present on invitation were Ryo Chun Sok, vice-Minister of the People's Armed Forces, generals and officers of the Korean People's Army and military attaches of foreign embassies here.
Speeches were made at the reception.
Pyongyang cultural exhibition visited by foreigners
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Diplomatic envoys and embassy officials here visited the Pyongyang cultural exhibition on Dec. 22 on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the election of the great leader Kim Jong Il as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 82nd birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk.
They looked round photos showing the undying feats of Kim Jong Il, famous works of the President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, books and handicraft works showing the brilliant life and revolutionary activities of Kim Jong Suk.
Functions held abroad
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Meetings took place in Zimbabwe and India to mark the 8th anniversary of the election of the great leader Kim Jong Il as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 82nd birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk.
Displayed at the meeting places were a photo of the President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Suk and other photos showing the exploits performed by Kim Jong Il in building the army and the revolutionary feats of Kim Jong Suk.
The speakers said at the meetings that December 24 is a significant day not only for the Korean people but also for the world progressive people. The respected Kim Jong Il is not only an outstanding thinker, theoretician and statesman but also a great commander possessed of distinguished quality and traits as a brilliant commander, they noted.
They stressed that Kim Jong Suk became a human bomb and a shield to protect the safety of the President in the whole period of her revolutionary activities and always firmly defended his ideas and lines, adding that she is still now highly praised as the anti-Japanese heroine, the great mother of Korea.
A message of greetings to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting held in Zimbabwe.
A former parliamentarian of India Hamide Habullah issued a statement to the press on the occasion of the 82nd birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk.
Commemoration held by Chinese sailors
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A commemoration was held by the crew of the Chinese ships "Zhongyuanyu", "Liaochangu" and "Chusing" at the Rajin port on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the election of the great leader Kim Jong Il as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
Speakers said that the DPRK has become the world's military power having an army equipped with powerful means for both attack and defence and strong defence capacity, adding that this has been possible only thanks to Kim Jong Il who set out the idea of giving priority to military affairs and has wisely led the army building.
They said that today the Korean People's Army has grown to be an army strong in idea and faith as it is fully armed with the spirit of devotedly defending the leader, the spirit of becoming human bombs and making suicidal explosions under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.
A message of greetings to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
Celebrations held
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Colourful functions are being held in the DPRK to mark the 8th anniversary of the election of the great leader Kim Jong Il as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 82nd birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk.
National art performances of the Korean Democratic Women's Union and primary organizations of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League and a celebration meeting of the agricultural workers were given on Tuesday.
Put on stage were colorful art pieces including poems, songs and instrumental music singing of the Korean people's great honor and happiness of having Kim Jong Il at the head of the revolutionary armed forces and the undying revolutionary feats and brilliant life of Kim Jong Suk.
Members of the general federation of trade unions of Korea held a meeting to vow their determination to learn from the loyalty of Kim Jong Suk and devotedly safeguard Kim Jong Il.
A book, photo and handicraft work exhibition and a national science and technology exhibition of youth also opened.
Displayed there were more than 6,000 books of various kinds, over 120 photos, more than 3,000 pieces of handicraft works of over 150 varieties, 5,180 inventions and technical innovations of 2,690 varieties achieved by young people and their data.
KCNA on S. Korean chief executive's "special interview"
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The South Korean chief executive in a recent "special interview" with KBS let loose a string of sinister utterances slandering the north.
What he said at the "special interview" is, in a nutshell, no more than anti-national, anti-reunification and sycophantic outcries provoking and insulting the north and inciting only the north-south confrontation.
He provoked the north's towering resentment, talking about a sort of "collapse", while maliciously slandering the north's system.
This is a sheer distortion of the reality, which can never be tolerated as he slung mud at anthropocentric Korean-style socialism under which the people are dynamically advancing to build a powerful nation, guided by the immortal Juche idea.
His remarks fully revealed an ulterior political attempt to "lead" the north to "reform and opening", destabilize it and thus destroy it at any cost.
This foolish attempt can never reverse the trend. The South Korean rulers continue revealing such an ulterior design, ignorant of the faith and will of our people which remain unshakable in any adversity. This is a real tragedy for the South Korean rulers.
Peddling the bankrupt "sunshine policy" once again this time, the chief executive of South Korea claimed that it was "successful" thanks to someone's "support". This is nothing but a red herring.
The "sunshine policy" has faced the nation's stern judgement as it is a war policy aimed to aggravate the inter-Korean relations, dampen the fellow countrymen's desire for reunification and drive the situation on the Korean peninsula to the escalated confrontation.
The days of the sycophantic traitor to the nation are numbered.
Reception given on victory of Cuban revolution
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Jose Manuel Inclan Embade, Cuban ambassador to Korea, gave a reception yesterday on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the victory of the Cuban revolution.
The ambassador, addressing the reception, said that the DPRK, standing on the side of the Cuban people, has voiced support to their cause of socialism wherever an opportunity presented itself and they would always remember it.
He paid highest tribute to the President Kim Il Sung who devoted his all to the development of relations with Cuba and the great leader Kim Jong Il who is faithfully carrying forward the President's intention.
It is the Cuban people's duty to support the struggle of the Korean people to achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country, he said.
Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the presidium of Supreme People's Assembly, in his speech said that the Cuban people have strengthened their revolutionary ranks in every way, invariably adhering to the principles of socialism despite difficulties in the "special period of the peace time" and achieved many successes in the efforts to improve the country's economic performance and the standard of the people's living.
He further said:
In recent years, the Cuban people have checked and frustrated the moves of the U.S. to blockade and isolate them in the international arena, raising international prestige. This greatly pleases and encourages the Korean people and the world revolutionary people. The Korean people will continue to boost the friendship with the fraternal Cuban people.
Present on invitation were Kim Yang Gon, department director of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, and Pyon Yong Rim, Minister of Education who is also chairman of the Korea-Cuba solidarity committee.
S. Korean chief executive's reckless remarks under fire
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary condemns the South Korean chief executive for his recent remarks "praising" the "role" and "efforts" of the U.S. forces present in South Korea and begging his master the U.S. to undertake a "joint military action" to hurt and suffocate the compatriots.
As far as the U.S. aggressors in South Korea are concerned, they are a gang of robbers who broke into other's house as uninvited guests, the commentary says, and goes on:
What the U.S. aggressor forces have done in South Korea is nothing but killings of South Koreans, incendiarism and plunder of them and the madcap moves to provoke a war against the DPRK that have brought the danger of a nuclear war to the Korean peninsula.
It is an unchangeable ambition of the U.S. Imperialists to realize their aggressive Asia-Pacific strategy with South Korea as a military bridgehead.
They together with the South Korean authorities are staging almost every day large war exercises under various code names against the north in a bid to put their already worked out "operation plan 5027-98" into practice.
The South Korean authorities' call for a "joint military action" with the U.S. aggressor forces once again betrays their bellicose design to provoke at any cost a war against the north in league with outsiders.
Only a stern punishment of history awaits those traitors who prolong their remaining days as colonial stooges licking the boots of the aggressors.
S. Korean students attack ruling and opposition party branches
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Students under the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) made separate surprise attacks on the south Kyongsang provincial branches of the ruling party "National Congress for New Politics" and the opposition party "Grand National Party" on Dec. 18 demanding the abolition of the "security law", according to a radio report from Seoul.
They threw paintings over the buildings of the branches and distributed lots of handouts.
The handbills condemned the scramble for power between the ruling and opposition parties and demanded the total abolition of "security law".
Spraying of defoliant by U.S. denounced
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Andreas Pecha, national secretary of the Austrian Peace Council, issued a statement on Dec. 13 denouncing the United States' spraying of defoliant over the Demilitarized Zone along the Military Demarcation Line in Korea.
He condemned the spraying of defoliant committed by the united states in the late 1960s to kill innocent people and devastate the territory in Korea as a serious crime harassing peace.
He said that the U.S. should be held responsible for it by law and make an apology to the Korean people and peace-loving people of the world.
He demanded the immediate withdrawal of all the U.S. troops and war equipment from South Korea.
Korean heroes and heroines in field of sports
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Heroes and heroines are continuously produced in the field of sports in the DPRK.
Jong Song Ok of the Amnokgang Sports Group is the first athlete who was awarded the title of hero of the DPRK in the sports circle of Korea.
She, appearing as a comet in the women's marathon world carried away the gold medal at the 7th World Athletics Championships by outdistancing the excellent rivals, causing a great sensation.
This was a heroic deed that demonstrated the resourcefulness and bravery of the Korean nation before the world.
Jang Kyong Ok who received the title of labour hero last October showed the strong will, stubborn endurance and tactical special techniques, fully demonstrating the might of Taekwon-do, the orthodox military arts of the Korean nation, at several championships and international games including the 11th World Taekwon-do Championships.
Among those heroes is Pae Kil Su called the king of pommel and the pride of Asia and the world. He won gold medals at international games including the World Gymnastics Championships held in 1992 and 1996 and the 25th Olympiad.
Kim Chol Hwan and Kim Il are well-known to the world as two-time wrestling championship holders and two-time Olympic gold medal winners.
Pak Yong Sun, world's queen of table tennis, retained consecutive championships at the 33rd and 34th World Table Tennis Championships, won scores of medals including 15 gold medals and received the crown and queen belt made for the first time in the history of the table tennis championships. She still remains in the memory of people.
General Secretary Kim Jong Il gave all of them prominence as heroes, heroines and people's sportsmen. Pak Yong Sun was buried at the patriotic martyrs' cemetery under his care after she died.
Today all the Korean athletes are giving fresh spurs to their training to be heroes and heroines.
Fine example in devotedly defending leader
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- There are many anecdotes in Korea highly praising Kim Jong Suk, an indomitable communist revolutionary fighter.
Embarking upon the road of revolution in her teenage, she set a fine example in devotedly defending the leader all her life, pulling through all sorts of trials and difficulties before the revolution with arms in her hand at all times.
It happened when a battle was fought in Dashahe valley in summer of 1940. Kim Jong Suk kept watchful eyes on what was happening around the President Kim Il Sung when he was commanding the battle from a rock at a hillside. She spotted five enemy soldiers leveling guns at him after creeping by stealth up to the point very close to the hillside. At this crucial moment, she lost no chance to shield him and fired her Mauser at them and he also fired at them over her shoulder, killing all of them in a moment.
There were not a few critical moments during the anti-Japanese war when his safety was threatened. But the President could escape from each danger unhurt as she protected him every time.
He recalled in his lifetime that she always saved him from a crisis several times and she was ready to become human bombs anytime for his sake.
During the period of building a new country, too, she put her heart and soul into protecting his safety.
One day of mid-February, 1946, he was giving precious instructions to officials in charge of propaganda at his residence till late at night. An unexpected shot was heard nearby and then an electric light went out. When everyone present was perplexed, he, perfectly composed, said it seemed that a few rats ran about. He proposed them to have a break before continuing his speech and went towards the door.
Before they knew, she appeared with a Mauser in her hand, and stood in his way with open arms, earnestly asking him not to go out as this was a request from the guards corps.
Following this noble example set by her, the guards corps grew to be the most elite unit firmly armed with the spirit of devotedly defending the leader right after the liberation of the country and the Korean people defended the headquarters of the revolution as firm as a rock.
The legend-like anecdotes about her who lived a short yet brilliant life are conveyed down through generations. She is always alive in the hearts of the Korean people as an eternal loyalist.
Demolition of concrete wall called for
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Different countries voiced support to the appeal of the DPRK government, political parties and organizations calling for the demolition of the concrete wall built by the South Korean authorities.
Recently the Communist Party of Syria (Bagdash), the Palestine National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and other friendly Arab political parties and national liberation movement forces issued a joint statement and the Socialist Worker's Party of Romania and the Italian Committee for Friendship and Solidarity Among the Peoples made public statements separately.
The statements said that the concrete wall was built to realize the U.S. aim to perpetuate the division of the Korean nation, foster antagonism and tensions within the homogeneous Korean nation, keep military bases in South Korea and continue barbarous exploitation and plunder against the Korean people.
They noted that the concrete wall should not be allowed to exist any longer as it is a challenge and insult to human justice and conscience and pulled down immediately.
The secretariat of the pan-African movement in a statement issued on Dec. 15 demanded the united states which has deeply been involved in the Korean issue from long ago fulfil its commitment to dismantle the wall of division and let the Koreans achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.
National meeting held to mark anniv. of Kim Jong Il's election
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A national meeting was held at the April 25 House of Culture this afternoon to mark the 8th anniversary of the election of the great leader Kim Jong Il as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
Present there were senior party and state officials including Kim Yong Nam, Jo Myong Rok and Hong Song Nam, working people from all walks of life and KPA servicemen.
Vice marshal of the KPA Jo Myong Rok, first vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and director of the KPA general political department, in his report made at the meeting said that the respected Kim Jong Il, possessed of iron will, matchless courage, extraordinary military stratagem and outstanding commanding art, has steadily strengthened and developed our revolutionary armed forces and ushered in golden days for army building.
Noting that the history of the revolutionary struggle in Korea is characterized by peculiar army-first revolutionary leadership, he said that this historic tradition of our revolution established by the great leader Kim Il Sung has been carried forward on its highest level in line with the new requirements of the times since Kim Jong Il was elected Supreme Commander of the KPA.
He continued:
Kim Jong Il with his deep insight into the army's position and role in carrying out the socialist cause and the peculiar conditions of our country, set out the unique idea that the army precisely means the party, the people and the state and has applied the army-first revolutionary principle, thus bringing about a new historic turning-point in Juche-oriented army building.
The entire army is imbued with the spirit of devotedly safeguarding the leader and the KPA officers and men have grown to be competent commanding officers and each-a-match-for-a-hundred stalwart fighters who are fully equipped with the Juche-oriented combat methods.
The combat equipment of the KPA has been further modernized and its strength significantly increased. As a result, our people's army has become powerful elite forces with offensive means to defeat any enemy on earth and defensive means to repulse any surprise invasion by the enemy.
The KPA has thus developed to be ever-victorious revolutionary armed forces that demonstrate its might as a core unit of our revolution creditably defending the revolutionary cause of Juche with arms. This is the most shining feat Kim Jong Il has performed on behalf of the country, the revolution, the times and history.
Underscoring the need to direct utmost efforts to strengthening the people's army, the main force for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche, considering it as a fundamental issue on which hinges the destiny of the revolution, jo referred to the tasks to be implemented to steadily increase the politico-ideological, military and technical might of the KPA.
Drawing attention to a touch-and-go situation now prevailing on the Korean peninsula due to the anti-DPRK moves of the U.S. and its followers, he clarified the DPRK's stand on this as follows:
We will never remain a passive on-looker to the frantic military moves of the enemies driving the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of war but take a strong counteraction of our style.
No force on this planet can escape from the strike of our revolutionary armed forces and there will be no place where the enemies can survive while attacking us.
If the U.S., Japanese reactionaries and the South Korean authorities unleash a war on this land at any cost despite our repeated warnings, the Korean army and people will never miss the opportunity to wipe out the aggressors to the last one, but defend the socialist fatherland of Juche and achieve the national reunification, the long-cherished historic desire.
Jo Myong Rok clarifies position on situation prevailing in Korean peninsula
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- We will not remain a passive onlooker to frantic military moves of the enemies bringing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of war, but take a decisive countermeasure of our style, stated vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Jo Myong Rok first vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK and director of the KPA general political department, in a report made at a national meeting held in celebration of the 8th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
He reiterated the position of the DPRK on a dangerous situation prevailing in the Korean peninsula in which a war may break out anytime.
The KPA has grown up to be strong elite armed forces fully ready to defeat any formidable enemies in the world and repel any surprise attack of enemies at one stroke, he said, and continued:
Our army and people are following the enemy's moves for a new war with utmost vigilance and are in full readiness.
Our arms are merciless and it is the traditional militant quality of our army to destroy the aggressors mercilessly.
No force on earth can escape from the strike by our revolutionary armed forces. There is no place where the enemies can survive while attacking us.
If the U.S. Imperialists, Japanese reactionaries, South Korean authorities turn to provocation of a war in this land, ignoring our repeated warnings, our army and people will not miss the opportunity to annihilate the aggressors to the last man, but defend the socialist homeland of Juche and achieve national reunification, the historic desire.
Greetings to Macedonian President
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- We will not remain a passive onlooker to frantic military moves of the enemies bringing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of war, but take a decisive countermeasure of our style, stated vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Jo Myong Rok first vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK and director of the KPA general political department, in a report made at a national meeting held in celebration of the 8th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
He reiterated the position of the DPRK on a dangerous situation prevailing in the Korean peninsula in which a war may break out anytime.
The KPA has grown up to be strong elite armed forces fully ready to defeat any formidable enemies in the world and repel any surprise attack of enemies at one stroke, he said, and continued:
Our army and people are following the enemy's moves for a new war with utmost vigilance and are in full readiness.
Our arms are merciless and it is the traditional militant quality of our army to destroy the aggressors mercilessly.
No force on earth can escape from the strike by our revolutionary armed forces. There is no place where the enemies can survive while attacking us.
If the U.S. Imperialists, Japanese reactionaries, South Korean authorities turn to provocation of a war in this land, ignoring our repeated warnings, our army and people will not miss the opportunity to annihilate the aggressors to the last man, but defend the socialist homeland of Juche and achieve national reunification, the historic desire.
Congratulatory letters to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on dec. 20 sent a message of greetings to Boris Trajkovski upon his election as President of the Republic of Macedonia.
The message extended warm congratulations to him on his election and expressed the belief that the relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms.
DPRK FM spokesman on signing of basic contract on LWR construction
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Consequences to be entailed by the delay of the construction of Light Water Reactors will be very serious and the U.S. will be held entirely responsible for them.
The spokesman for the foreign ministry of the DPRK stated this, answering a question put by KCNA today as regards the signing of a basic contract on the construction of Light Water Reactors.
Calling attention to the December 15 signing of the basic contract on the construction of LWRs that the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO) will provide to the DPRK under the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework, he said:
It is fortunate that the contract was signed, though belatedly.
We do not care about the contract because it is an internal affair of the U.S.-led KEDO. We, however, cannot remain a passive onlooker to the recent rumour that the project of the LWR construction will be finished in 2007 or 2008 at the earliest.
We have sincerely honored our obligations under the agreement framework.
Fulfillment of other obligations depends on whether the U.S. side completes the construction project in time as it promised to us.
If the U.S. seeks to make the implementation of the agreed points of the framework complicated and attain other purpose, it is seriously mistaken.
The process of signing of the basic contract goes to prove that some KEDO members try to use the construction of LWRs in meeting their political interests.
The construction of LWRs is far beyond schedule. Any attempt to link this delay to what they term "submarine incident" and satellite launch by the DPRK is a base trick to flee from their responsibility.
Now that the implementation of the agreed framework needs a simultaneous action of both sides from A to Z, we will not move first unilaterally in any case, if the U.S. side delays the project as it pleases.
If the construction is not completed as promised under the framework, our economic loss caused by the failure, to say nothing of what we lost due to the sacrifice of our independent nuclear power industry, will have to be counted or any other step of weighty importance will have to be taken.