Kim Yong Nam meets Russian Foreign Minister and his party
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a talk with Igor Ivanov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, and his party in a friendly atmosphere at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there were Ri In Gyu, vice-Foreign Minister, and Valery Denisov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.
The Russian Foreign Minister said that during the visit the two sides exchanged views on the relations between the two countries and international issues of mutual concern and this was very useful.
Noting that Russia and the DPRK has a history of long-standing friendly relations, he expressed his belief that the relations between the two countries would develop in the letter and spirit of the newly concluded treaty.
Russia is willing to cooperate in the work to hasten the process of reunification in conformity with the interests of the Korean people and the security on the Korean peninsula, he said.
Greetings to Iranian President
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a message of greetings to Seyed Mohammed Khatami, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the victory of the Islamic revolution in Iran.
Referring to the great achievements made by the Iranian people in building a new society, the message sincerely wished the friendly Iranian people great success in their work to consolidate the victory of the Islamic revolution and build an independent and developed Islamic society under the leadership of the President.
Meanwhile, Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, and Paek Nam Sun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, sent messages of greetings to Hassan Habibi, first vice-president of Iran, and Seyed Kamal Charade, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
FM meets Pakistani ambassador
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun met and had a talk with Fazal Ghafoor, Pakistani ambassador to the DPRK, who paid a farewell call on him today.
Officials of Nigerian embassy visit revolutionary museum
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- F. A. Oputu, charge d' affairs ad interim of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the DPRK, and officials of the embassy visited the Revolutionary Museum of the Ministry of Culture yesterday on the occasion of the February holiday.
Exhibited at the museum are relics and materials showing the immortal exploits General Secretary Kim Jong Il has performed by energetically leading the work of revolutionizing literature and art after setting out the idea of developing literature and art of Juche.
They looked round the mock-up "location" streets of the Korean Film Studio on that day.
10day Korean film show opens
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- A ten-day film show for celebrating February 16 opened in the DPRK.
February 16 of this year is the 58th birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
During the film show all cinema houses throughout the country will screen documentary and feature films which show the greatness of Kim Jong Il who is building a powerful socialist nation in the DPRK with his energetic leadership and give the firm conviction that Korean-style socialism will certainly emerge victorious.
Among them are documentary films "With the Great Brilliant Commander", "Bosom of Brilliant Life", "Attracted by Great Virtues" and "Our Home Is the Bosom of the Party."
Serials of multi-part feature films "the Nation and Destiny," "the Forest Sways" and other feature films will be shown.
An opening ceremony of the ten-day film show took place at the People's Palace of Culture yesterday.
Russian Foreign Minister and his party leave
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Igor Ivanov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, and his party left here today after concluding their 2-day long visit to the DPRK.
Ri In Gyu, vice-Foreign Minister, Kim Pong Ik, vice-Minister of Foreign Trade, Lieut. General Ri Su Hyon of the Korean People's Army, and officials concerned and Valery Denisov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and embassy officials saw them off at the airport.
While staying here, the Russian Foreign Minister and his party visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to the President Kim Il Sung and laid a floral basket before his statue on Mansu Hill.
They also laid a wreath before the Liberation Tower.
Russian Foreign Minister and his party feted
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall yesterday in honor of the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation and his party on a visit to the DPRK.
DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun in his speech said that Russian friends' Korea visit is of great significance in further deepening the long-standing friendly relations between the two peoples.
The new treaty signed between the DPRK and Russia, which provides a political and legal guarantee for the development of the relations between the two countries, will contribute to further strengthening the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Russia and ensuring peace and security in northeast Asia and the rest of the world, he noted, and continued:
The Russian government and people have made energetic efforts to resolutely reject all forms of interference and pressure by foreign forces, achieve the politico-economic and social stability of the country and build a powerful state.
We sincerely hope that everything will go well in Russia, our neighbor. It is our belief that the friendship between the DPRK and Russia with long-standing historical roots will grow stronger and develop in the letter and spirit of the newly concluded treaty in the future, too.
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said in his speech he was of the view that the talks held this time made it possible to deepen the mutual understanding and open a new page for the development of the relations between the two countries.
He continued:
Russia sincerely hopes that peace and prosperity will be achieved on the Korean peninsula. It also hopes that national reunification, the desire of the Korean people, will be achieved, and it is willing to give all assistance to this end.
I think that our common task is to use the potential for the benefit of the two peoples on the basis of the rich experience accumulated in scores of years.
Noting that it is necessary for the two peoples to develop exchange in the fields of science, culture and education, he said that Russia is ready to abide by the spirit of the newly concluded treaty.
Russian ambassador gives reception
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Valery Denisov, Russian ambassador to Korea, hosted a reception at Pyongyang Koryo Hotel today on Korea visit of the Russian Foreign Minister and his party.
Speaking at the reception, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov expressed satisfaction at the result of his. Korea visit as well as thanks for the hospitality given to them.
He said the treaty concluded this time would occupy one page in the history of Russia-DPRK friendly relations.
They hope that Korea will be reunified without outside interference and that it will be prospering in peace, he said.
He wished a long life in good health to Kim Jong Il on his birthday.
Paek Nam Sun, Foreign Minister of the DPRK, said in his speech that Ivanov's visit was short but marked a significant occasion in newly developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
He hoped that the new treaty would be implemented correctly and sincerely by joint efforts of the two sides for more sound and viable development of the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation.
We will strive to further expand and develop these relations in different fields on the principles of independence, equality and non-interference in internal affairs, paek concluded.
Thai PM on friendly relations with DPRK
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- The Thai government and people will continue to develop the friendly and cooperative relations between Thailand and the DPRK on the principle of justice and friendship in the future, too.
Prime Minister of Thailand Chuan leekpai said this on Feb. 3 when he met with the DPRK ambassador to Thailand.
He said he was pleased with the Thailand-DPRK relations developing on good terms and these relations have been maintained and consolidated by the parties and governments of the two countries.
The government and the democratic party of Thailand wish the Korean people good success in their struggle to build a powerful nation after overcoming difficulties, he noted.
Development of relations between DPRK and Russia urged
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Igor Ivanov, Russian Foreign Minister on a visit to the DPRK, was interviewed by Korean and Russian reporters at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Wednesday as regards the signing of the DPRK-Russia treaty of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation.
The Foreign Minister hailed the treaty as an important document to occupy one page in the history of relations between the two countries, noting that its signing is an important step toward the development of these relations and an opening of the door for new relations.
He went on:
The Russian Federation and the DPRK are neighbors and they have a long-standing history of friendly relations between the two peoples. These good relations should be boosted.
The treaty provides a good legal basis for the development of the friendly relations and it will contribute to the stability on the Korean peninsula and in the region.
There are many areas between the Russian Federation and the DPRK where the relations should be improved. Efforts should, therefore, be exerted to develop those relations.
Russia will cooperate in the work to defuse the tensions and ensure lasting stability on the Korean peninsula, he said.
Preparations for Kimjongilia Show brisk
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Brisk preparations are being made for the 4th Kimjongilia Show slated for Feb. 14 in Pyongyang.
The show is expected to draw more than 60 organizations at home and abroad 2.5 times larger than the 1st one.
It is sponsored by the Korean Kimjongilia Federation which was founded in June 1995.
It has its office in the Pyongyang International House of Culture in the central district of the city.
It specializes in disseminating technique related to the cultivation and propagation of Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia.
It has a department for exhibition and dissemination of technique and a department for external relations.
It provides seedlings and technical assistance to the institutions, organizations and other units at home which are cultivating Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia. Its efforts are directed to the scientific and technical guidance to some 40 Kimjongilia hothouses in the country. And it has brisk exchanges related to these flowers with the regional and national organizations including the Nordic Kimjongilia Association and the Mongolian Kimjongilia Association and horticulturists and floriculturists in more than 10 countries such as China, Japan, Russia, France and the United States.
It annually hosts here a technical workshop on the cultivation and propagation of those flowers and a meeting for exchanging experience gained in them.
It published several reference books such as "Technique for the Cultivation of Kimilsungia," "Technique for the Cultivation of Kimjongilia" and "Technical Guidebook on the Cultivation of Kimjongilia."
It has sponsored the Kimjongilia Show every year since 1997 and the Kimilsungia Show since last year.
It contributed Kimjongilia to several flower exhibitions held in different countries. Kimjongilia received "grand" cup, the highest prize, and a diploma at the '99 Kunming global flower fair of China held in 1999.
Organizations and individuals in different countries of the world desirous of exchange with the Korean Kimjongilia Federation may contact it by fax no. 850-2-381-4427.
Art works not to fade
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- The Korean Mannyonhwa finds special favour among the people.
Mannyonhwa, made of shell, is a kind of fine arts to represent nature and human life. Pieces of various shells and other materials are pasted on the board one by one. Its color is graceful and imposing. With a dazzling arrangement, beautiful color and pattern, it enraptures and bemuses the wider people.
It enjoys growing popularity when its reflected rays have proved to be beneficial to health. Its color is not likely to fade.
Agreement signed between DPRK and Bulgaria
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Phyongsong city of the DPRK and Pernik city of Bulgaria established relations of sister city. An agreement in this regard was signed at the Pernik city hall on Feb 4.
Phyongsong is the seat of South Phyongan Province situated over 20 km away from northeast of Pyongyang, capital city of the DPRK.
Sung Jin Guk, pro-boxing star
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Four years ago, Sung Jin Guk from the Amnokgang Sports Group came first at the 48 kg division of boxing at the 1st World Military Games. Two years later, he became a pro-boxer and now a star of the Asian pro-boxing world.
In the tournament, he challenged the Thai champion of junior bantamweight of the PABA. The latter resorted to forceful smashes.
Undaunted, Sung applied his forte--left-hand uppercut and jab--driving his opponent on the defensive.
Fighting was fierce to the last but the score was three to zero in favour of Sung, who became the junior bantamweight champion of the PABA.
Floral baskets laid before Kim Il Sung's Portrait in Cuba
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- A ceremony for laying floral baskets before the Portrait of the President Kim Il Sung was held at Kim Il Sung Agricultural College in Cuba on Feb. 1 on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
The participants laid floral baskets and made a bow before Kim Il Sung's Portrait.
The principal of the college warmly congratulated Kim Jong Il on his 58th birthday and expressed boundless reverence for him and Kim Il Sung.
Kim Jong Il's work published in Nepal
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- The famous work of General Secretary Kim Jong Il "On Establishing the Juche Outlook on the Revolution" was published by the Nepalese Vishwabumi Publishing House in booklet on Feb. 1.
This work made public on October 10, Juche 76 (1987) clarifies that the views on the leader, the organization, the masses and morality are inseparably inter-linked to be a monolithic outlook on the revolution as the leader, the party and the masses are united as socio-political organism to form a driving force of the revolution, and indicates concrete ways of establishing the outlook on the revolution.
The introduction of the booklet says that Kim Jong Il is a great thinker and theoretician and he has not only carried forward and developed the Juche idea fathered by President Kim Il Sung but applied it to all spheres, performing outstanding exploits.
Significant year of movement for national reunification
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- The Korean people are striving to make this year a year of the new historic turning-point in the struggle for national reunification.
National reunification that 70 million fellow countrymen in the north, south and abroad ardently desire to see is the demand of history.
This year the Korean people will significantly greet historic events recorded in the history of the movement for national reunification.
August 15 this year marks the 55th anniversary of the liberation of Korea from the colonial rule of the Japanese imperialists.
On the occasion of the liberation day the grand pan-national pro-reunification festival has been held every year when aspiration of all the fellow countrymen after national reunification has been surged to a high pitch since Juche 79 (1990).
The monument to the three-point charter of national reunification will be constructed in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the liberation with full support of all the Koreans.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the proposal for establishing the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo put forward by the President Kim Il Sung.
This proposal along with the three principles of national reunification and the 10-point program of the great unity of the whole nation constitutes the three-point charter and three pillars of national reunification.
The proposal enjoys full support at home and abroad as the great program whereby Korea will be reunified at the earliest date and most fairly.
August this year will greet the 10th anniversary of the publication of the President's celebrated work "Let Us Accelerate National Reunification Through the Unity of the Whole Nation."
This year will meet the 10th anniversary of the formation of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon), an umbrella pro-reunification movement organization.
The Korean people, therefore, could have a powerful banner to ensure concord and unity in the reunification movement.
Pomminryon's main target of the reunification movement in 2000 is to support and carry out the three-point charter of national reunification.
This year will also witness the 40th anniversary of the April 19 Popular Uprising and the 20th anniversary of the Kwangju Popular Uprising, which are anti-U.S., anti-fascist resistance held in South Korea.
It is the unanimous desire of the Korean people to reunify the country earlier by realising wishes of the uprisers who cried for independence, democracy and reunification.
Now all the Koreans see the bright future of national reunification in the greatness of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
U.S. boosts forces in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- The chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, Henry Shelton, on Tuesday disclosed the fact that the United States has reinforced military forces in South Korea in recent years in response to the "North Korean challenge," according to a foreign news report.
Speaking before a senate armed services committee meeting, he said the U.S. took a number of initiatives to enhance deployment of its forces in South Korea as well as the forces of South Korea. It has deployed better tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and artillery as well as improved attack helicopters and aircraft, he noted.
The U.S. has also deployed Patriot missile defense systems and upgraded "surveillance capabilities" while "helping upgrade South Korean forces," he said.
Shelton also said U.S. marines in Okinawa, Japan, stand ready to reinforce troops on the Korean peninsula on short notice while the U.S. is "substantially improving" its ability to boost "defenses" on the peninsula with ground troops from the continental U.S.
These measures are in response to a shift in the U.S. policy toward the DPRK proposed by former defense secretary William Perry, he added.
The facts clearly show that the U.S. strategy of war against the north is going on without change and that it is the very one who brings clouds of war to the Korean peninsula.
KCNA on U.S. Defense Secretary's remarks
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Cohen at a recent Munich conference on security policy called for "looking at the facts regarding the potential threat of long-range missile attacks on the United States and possibly also Europe from such hostile states as North Korea."
This illustrates that the United States is desperately working to convince the EU nations of the fiction of "North Korea's missile threat" and use them in achieving its ill-intentioned military purpose.
The U.S. loudmouthed "threat of North Korean missile" is nothing but a subterfuge for introducing its "National Missile Defense" system (NMD) and the "Theatre Missile Defense" system (TMD).
It is under this absurd pretext that the United States is leaving no stone unturned to introduce the "TMD" and "NMD" which are of continental offensive nature, while conducting a missile interceptor test-fire. Through this the United States seeks to contain other big powers and have a military edge over them so as to establish world hegemony.
Needless to say, the DPRK is the first target of the "TMD" and "NMD."
This criminal move of the United States only hardens the determination of the DPRK to develop, test and deploy missiles.
Japan's move to enact "bill on prefectural suffrage" condemned
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- The Korean Committee for Aiding Overseas Compatriots in a statement yesterday said that the Japanese reactionaries' submitting a "bill on prefectural suffrage" to the House of Representatives is in essence to deny the national identity of Korean residents in Japan and hasten their naturalization and assimilation, which is an unpardonable crime of restaining the sovereign right of other nations and citizens and violating the recognized regulations of the international law.
The statement goes on:
The move was tempted by a sinister attempt to infringe upon the sovereignty and dignity of the Korean residents in Japan and do harm to their national rights and interests.
It is not because they have no "suffrage" that they sustain severe national discrimination and persecution. It is entirely attributable to the Japanese authorities' anachronistic policy hostile toward the DPRK and policy of national discrimination against the Koreans in Japan.
If the Japanese authorities truly respect the dignity and rights of the Korean residents in Japan, they should get rid of the past wrong policy, guarantee their legal status, ensure their democratic national rights and stable living conditions and immediately withdraw the "bill" which was submitted to the diet in conspiracy with the South Korean rulers.
Japan's projected introduction of airborne refueling aircraft assailed
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Shortly ago, former chairman of the policy research council of the Liberal-Democratic Party of Japan Taku Yamasaki at a lecture given before members of his party said that Japan's introduction of airborne refueling aircraft is to "possess capability to attack enemy sortie bases."
Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary observes that his remarks brought to light the true intention of the Japanese government and the defense agency which have so far asserted that the introduction of airborne refueling aircraft was aimed at strengthening air "lookout duties" of the air "Self-Defence Force."
The Japan Defense Agency which decided to introduce several airborne refueling aircraft included even spending for "operation and research" into them in the military budget for next year.
When the Japanese air force introduces them, it can increase flying range of their fighters two times or more and expand their operation theatre worldwide, the commentary says, and goes on:
Japan's plan to introduce airborne refueling aircraft is a dangerous move to turn Japan into a major military power as early as possible and increase offensive capabilities of its air force in a bid to carry out military operations of aggression in any part of the world.
The Japanese reactionaries have disclosed even their intention to get involved in imperialist's war for world domination.
The DPRK is the first target of Japan's overseas aggression .
The Japanese reactionaries' intensified moves to introduce those aircraft are primarily intended to use them in mounting a preemptive attack on the DPRK.
Saying that Japan has emerged dangerous aggression forces which pose a threat to peace and security in Asian countries, the commentary concludes: Its introduction of airborne refueling aircraft is a clear indication that overseas aggression of Japanese militarism is becoming a reality.
1st genuine party organization
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- The society for rallying comrades which was formed 70 years ago was the first party organization that gave origin to the Worker's Party of Korea.
At that time, Korea's national liberation movement badly needed a party capable of giving unitary guidance to the rapidly mounting anti-Japanese struggle of the people. But, the early communist movement was undergoing ups and downs due to scramble for power and factional strife for hegemony.
The President Kim Il Sung was opening up a new path for the Korean revolution to follow after embarking on the road of revolution in his early years. He unrolled a plan to found a revolutionary party by building a grassroots-level party organization with young communists not affected by factional strife and expanding and strengthening it, not wedded to the established practice of forming a central organization before founding a party.
Under such a plan, he powerfully pushed ahead with the work to lay mass bases of the party.
On this basis, he formed the first party organization with hardcore members of the leadership in Kalun in July, Juche 19 (1930) trained by the "Down-with-the-Imperialism Union" (DIU).
At an inaugural meeting of the first party organization, he put forward the tasks to be fulfilled by its members, including the issue of expanding grassroots-level party organization and establishing a system of unitary leadership over it, the issue of achieving unity and cohesion of the ranks and the issue of building mass bases for the revolution.
He also underlined the need for the party organization to steadfastly maintain an independent stand in all its activities and closely combine the party construction with the anti-Japanese struggle.
The first party organization took the same program and rules as was adopted by the "DIU".
He proposed to name the organization the society for rallying comrades in the sense that a revolution begins with winning comrades and an ultimate victory of the revolution could be achieved only by rallying more and more comrades.
The society was just like an embryo and a seed of the Worker's Party of Korea, the revolutionary party of Juche type.
Promotion committee formed in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- A promotion committee for construction of hall of the pro-democracy movement was recently formed in South Korea to afford a correct understanding of the movement to the people, according to a news report.
The inaugural declaration said the construction work of the hall is the struggle to revive the tradition of the struggle for democracy by collecting all data on the struggle.
The action program of the organization consists of 12 tasks including classification of data according to domains, periods and spheres, opening of the hall, the construction of makers at the places where struggle for democratization was staged and compilation of the biographical dictionary of democrats and the dictionary on dictators.
The committee includes the council of academic organizations, the "National Council of Professors for Democracy," the institute of history and other broad academic circles and organizations.
February holiday and Sun's Day to be commemorated
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Japan-Korea friendship organisations decided to jointly hold events on the occasion of the February holiday, the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il, and Sun's Day, the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung.
This decision was proposed at a regular conference of the Japan Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea which was held in Tokyo on Jan. 14 with the attendance of the committee, the Japan-Korea Cultural Interchange Association, the Japanese women's liaison society for solidarity with the Korean women, the Japan-Korea Society for Scientific and Educational Interchange, and so on.
The conference also decided to hold prefectural conferences of the committee and organize a seminar on the promotion of the establishment of Japan-DPRK diplomatic relations and the 19th national meeting for the movement for supporting Korea's reunification.
Discarding fear of imperialism called for
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- The world people should properly understand the wretched plight of imperialism and its inevitable doom and should not entertain even the slightest fear of it, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article.
The article goes on:
The imperialists contend that in the present world there is no force that can defeat them and they alone have the power and capability to decide everything and handle it.
They are just bluffing.
This is not an expression of their mightiness but vulnerability and nothing but a desperate effort to save their supremacy from its decline and escape from a doom.
Fear of imperialism leads to weakening and benumbing the anti-imperialist spirit and, in the end, to giving up the anti-imperialist struggle.
Only firm adherence to the independent stand and a vigorous anti-imperialist struggle can ensure national independence, independent development and global independence.
It is important for discarding fear of imperialism to properly understand its vulnerability.
It is quite obvious that imperialism whose lot is just like an old lion who breathes his last is getting more faint as the days go by and destined to go to ruin at last.
The DPRK would never tolerate any act to create fear of imperialism.