Kim Jong Il inspects women's coastal battery
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected a women's coastal battery under KPA unit 440.
He was greeted on the spot by general officers and officers of the KPA and commanding officers of the battery.
He, who visited the battery for the third time, had an emotional meeting with the servicepersons with familiar faces who threw themselves in his arms, choked with emotion.
He had a conversation with his dear soldiers at an artillery emplacement covered with ice, inquiring after the health of all the soldiers of the battery, including twin brother and sister and comrades who were studying at military academies or were working at other units after being promoted to higher ranks.
Looking at Son Kyong Sil, who has grown up beyond recognition, he highly appreciated her once again for firmly defending a seaside outpost by succeeding her parents.
He was reported about the performance of duty by commanding officers of the battery and saw the combat training in artillery of the women's battery.
After seeing them in training full of the spirit to annihilate the enemies at one stroke, he expressed great satisfaction over the growth of all the women soldiers of the battery to be women warriors who have been firmly prepared to smash any surprise invasion by the enemies politically and ideologically, in military technique and physically, and indicated tasks that would serve as a guideline in further increasing combat efficiency of the battery.
He then toured the education room and bedroom of the battery and salt fields of its own making and other places to learn about the life of the servicepersons down to details.
He felt the temperature of the bedroom floor and thickness of the quilt used by the women soldiers and examined cosmetics in a built-in cabinet to take warm care of their life so that they could live with no inconvenience as their real father would do.
He noted with great satisfaction that the women's coastal battery associated with the undying revolutionary history of the President Kim Il Sung significantly boosted the combat efficiency of the unit and managed the unit's economy frugally to set an example for the whole army and in that course did a lot of things, including the production of a number of competent commanding officers and highly praised great achievements gained in their efforts.
He said the battery famous for its persimmon trees has grown to be a group of admirable women revolutionaries, who fully armed with the party's ideology, were defending the revolutionary cause of Juche with arms, adding that their noble militant spirit and style serve as a model for the Korean women who love the revolution and struggle.
He enjoyed an art performance given by the servicepersons of the battery.
He was very pleased with their living and fighting full of conviction of a certain victory.
Kim Jong Il inspects Mujigae tunnel
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected the newly reconstructed Mujigae (rainbow) tunnel.
He was accompanied by secretaries Kim Kuk Thae and Kim Ki Nam of the WPK Central Committee, and first vice department directors of the WPK Central Committee Jang Song Thaek and Choe Chun Hwang.
The Mujigae tunnel on the Pyongyang-Wonsan Motorway has been given face-lifting by the heroic struggle of the soldier-builders.
The modernly reconstructed tunnel ensures more smooth traffic between Pyongyang and Wonsan and provides better environment to the travelers.
Aquatinting himself with details of the construction of the tunnel, he was greatly satisfied to see the tunnel wonderfully reconstructed by the soldier-builders with the patriotic devotion to turn their country into a paradise for the people.
Noting that the soldier-builders have secured one more valuable wealth for the generations to come, bravely overcoming most serious difficulties full of optimism and confidence of the future in the period of the "arduous march" and forced march when the country was hard pressed for everything and all trials had to be weathered out, he highly praised their exploits and sent thanks to all of them, the fighters who devotedly carry out orders.
The soldier-builders' successful completion of the huge project whose scale is equal to the construction of a large tunnel in a short span of time is a great miracle which can be performed only by the Korean People's Army that devotes itself to the security of the country and happiness of the people, he said. The country and the people will always remember their shining feats, he said.
Today the KPA, he noted, is not only firmly defending the revolutionary cause of the party with arms but playing the role of vanguard in the socialist economic construction for building a powerful nation. It is a great pride for the party and the people to have such ranks of loyalists and such great army of the revolution as the KPA, he said.
Pointing out that it is part of the important work for building a powerful nation to give face-lifting to the country to meet the requirements of Juche, he put forward highly important tasks which will serve as a guideline in making the country more beautiful and richer.
He met the soldier-builders who have performed praiseworthy exploits in the reconstruction of the Mujigae tunnel and gave a pep-talk to them before having a picture taken with them.
FM Paek Nam Sun interviewed
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun of the DPRK replied written queries put by home and foreign reporters as regards an official visit to the DPRK of his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov.
He said:
Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov paid an official visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from February 9, 2000 to 10.
He conveyed the regards and personal letter to General Secretary Kim Jong Il from acting president Putin of the Russian Federation and his own gift.
I, upon the authorization, asked the Russian Foreign Minister to convey warm greetings of the great leader of our party and people Kim Jong Il to acting president Putin of Russia.
President Kim Yong Nam of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly met and had a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov.
The foreign ministers of the DPRK and the Russian Federation had cordial and friendly talks and discussed the treaty of friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation between the two countries and signed the treaty.
At the talks the two sides informed each other of the situation of their countries, exchanged in-depth views as regards boosting the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation and had an open-hearted discussion about a series of international issues of mutual concern.
The DPRK side reiterated the principled stand that primary and fundamental matters in defusing the tensions on the Korean peninsula and achieving the reunification of the country are the U.S. forces pullout and the dismantlement of its military installations in South Korea and the conclusion of a peace accord between the DPRK and the U.S. It underlined them as cardinal issues related to lasting peace and stability on the peninsula, as well as peace and security in Russia, including the far east.
It also said the "missile threat" from the DPRK clamored about by the U.S. and other hostile forces is, in essence, a trick to contain big countries, champions of multi-polar world, under that pretext and maintain their absolute military edge over them. It made clear the principled stand that in order to protect the dignity of the nation the DPRK will, in the future, too, strongly retaliate against any move to discriminate against it in the issue of satellite and missile launch that belongs to the sovereignty of an independent state.
The Russian side expressed full support to the reunification of Korea that should be realised on the three principles--independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity--laid down by the great leader Kim Il Sung and agreed upon in principle by the north and south of Korea.
It also expressed understanding of the DPRK's principled stand that for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula the north and south of Korea should be reunified and the U.S. troops, a stumbling block lying in the way of the reunification, should be pulled out of South Korea.
The foreign ministers of the two countries expressed deep concern over the arbitrary and high-handed practices of the U.S. ignoring the UN Charter and the publicly recognized international laws, the projected "tripartite military alliance" of the U.S., Japan and the South Korean authorities that jeopardizes peace and security on the Korean peninsula, in northeast Asia and the rest of the world and the U.S. and Japan's efforts to set up "Theatre Missile Defense" system.
Both sides shared the view that the moves to escalate tensions are a source of upsetting strategic balance, increasing the danger of war and sparking a new arms race in northeast Asia and the rest of the world and acknowledged the need for the countries concerned to cope with them with concerted efforts.
The recently-concluded bilateral treaty of friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation provided a political and legal guarantee for boosting cooperation and exchanges in all spheres and upgrading the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
It will be a substantial contribution to the strengthened friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the peoples of the two countries sharing the same border and to peace and security in northeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world.
The two sides were pleased with the daily-developing relations between the two countries and expressed conviction that the bilateral relations would grow stronger and develop on the principle of independence, equality and non-interference in each other's internal affairs thanks to the concerted efforts.
Congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan arrives
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan headed by Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, arrived here today to visit the socialist homeland to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Talks between delegations of WPK and Palang Dharma Party of Thailand
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Talks were held here today between the delegations of the Worker's Party of Korea and the Palang Dharma (Righteous Force) Party of Thailand.
Both sides informed each other of the activities of their parties and exchanged views on the issue of developing the relations between the two parties and a series of matters of mutual concern.
Present there were Kim Yang Gon, department director of the WPK Central Committee, and officials concerned and the members of the delegation headed by Chaivat Sinsuwong, leader of the Palang Dharma (Righteous Force) Party of Thailand.
Foreign political party delegations and leaders arrive
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Communist Worker's Party of Russia headed by first secretary of its C.C. V. Tyulkin, a delegation of the Communist Worker's Party of Finland for Peace and Socialism headed by its chairman Hannu Harju and a delegation of the New Communist Party of Great Britain led by its general secretary Andy Brooks, and Hasanul Huq Inu, general secretary of the National Socialist Party of Bangladesh, and Ivan Rodriguez, chairman of the c.c. of the Dominican Worker's Party, arrived here today to visit Korea to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Also arriving here on the same day were a delegation of the Funcinpec Party of Cambodia headed by its deputy secretary general Serei Kosal, a delegation of the Union of Communist Parties-the Communist Party of the Soviet Union headed by member of the council of the union Vladimir Tolstikov, a delegation of the Unified Communist Party of Italy headed by member of the party leadership Pasqufale Felice, a delegation of the Party of Communists of the Moldovan Republic headed by its secretary Borgula Lyudmila Viktorovna and a delegate of the October 8 Revolutionary Movement of Brazil Paulo Eduardo, secretary of the c.c. of the movement.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Palang Dharma (Righteous Force) Party of Thailand headed by its leader Chaivat Sinsuwong and a delegation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist) headed by member of its national council Naresh Man Shakya arrived here yesterday.
Floral basket laid before Kim Il Sung's Portrait
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A floral basket was laid before the Portrait of the President Kim Il Sung with due ceremony by the Tri-Continental People's Solidarity Organization on Feb. 3 in the countdown to the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Present at the ceremony were the general secretary of the executive secretariat and other officials of the organization.
The participants laid a floral basket and made a bow before the Portrait of Kim Il Sung.
The general secretary said the eternal President of the Korean people Kim Il Sung will always live in the hearts of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America along with the Tri-Continental People's Solidarity Organization.
Embassy officials visit revolutionary museum
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Officials in charge of cultural and friendship affairs of foreign embassies here on Friday visited Kim Il Sung University revolutionary museum in run-up to the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
They looked round the exhibited data and relics with keen interest, being briefed on the revolutionary activities of Kim Jong Il at the university and guidance he gave to the university so as to fully discharge its mission and duty as highest edifice of Juche-based education.
Reception given by Iranian ambassador
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Iranian ambassador to the DPRK Mohammad Ganjidoost on Friday gave a reception at the embassy on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the victory in the Islamic revolution of Iran.
Invited to the reception were Minister of Labour Ri Won Il, who is also the chairman of the DPRK-Iran Friendship Association, vice-Foreign Minister Pak Kil Yon, vice-Minister of Foreign Trade Ku Song Bok, vice-chairperson of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Hong Son Ok and officials concerned.
Diplomatic envoys of different countries here were also invited to the reception.
Speeches were made there.
Reception given by Cuban ambassador to DPRK
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Cuban ambassador to the DPRK Jose Manuel Inclan Embade gave a reception at the embassy on Friday on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Present on invitation there were Pak Song Chol, honorary vice-president of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Paek Nam Sun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other officials concerned.
Alberto Belazco San Jose, a special envoy of Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers of the republic of Cuba, was on hand.
The Cuban ambassador, speaking at the reception, said that he deemed it great pleasure to join the Korean people celebrating the 58th birthday of Kim Jong Il.
Kim Jong Il is wisely steering the national economy and all other fields of the country, he said, adding that under his energetic guidance Korea will surely rise as a powerful nation.
Noting that preparatory committees have been formed in many countries to celebrate his birthday, the ambassador said: "This shows how deeply the world people respect him."
Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, in his speech said that the reception given by the ambassador on the occasion of the February holiday is a clear expression of the deep respect of the Cuban party, government and people for Kim Jong Il and their fraternal sentiment toward the Korean people.
Noting that this is a significant year which marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he expressed belief that the friendly relations between the DPRK and Cuba which were provided by the President Kim Il Sung and the esteemed Fidel Castro Ruz on the basis of their particular intimacy and are being invariably furthered by Kim Jong Il today will grow stronger and develop in conformity with the desire of the two peoples.
He wished greater successes to the Cuban party, government and people in their struggle to reliably defend the homeland, the revolution and gains of socialism braving through the U.S.'s heinous blockade and moves to stifle Cuba from the beginning of the year after setting this year as a "year marking the 40th anniversary of the resolution: motherland or death".
He was convinced that their just struggle for the repatriation of a boy elian is sure to win and expressed support and firm solidarity for the struggle.
National art exhibition opens
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A national art exhibition to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il has opened.
Displayed in the exhibition hall are over 100 pieces of art showing rare ideological and theoretical wisdom, outstanding leadership ability and noble communist traits of Kim Jong Il who is leading the struggle to build a powerful nation with army-first politics.
An opening ceremony of the exhibition was held at the Korean Art Gallery on Friday.
Minister of Culture Kang Nung Su made an opening address.
The participants looked round the displayed art works after the ceremony.
9th Paektusan Cup International Figure Skating Festival starts
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- The 9th Paektusan Cup International Figure Skating Festival was open in Pyongyang.
This festival has been traditionally held every year on the occasion of February 16, the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
It has become an international gathering to strengthen friendship, cooperation and solidarity among the revolutionary people and sportspersons of the world and exchange the success and experience achieved in sports.
The current festival is to be held in form of competition divided into single (man and woman), pair (short and free programs) and ice dance (compulsory, original and free programs), and an exhibition performance will be given.
Participating in the festival are teams from Russia, Bulgaria, Austria, Ukraine, China and the DPRK teams A and B.
Its opening ceremony took place at the ice rink today.
Present there were Hong Song Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop and other senior party and state officials, and foreign guests and overseas compatriots were invited.
A performance "Song of February" by the Korean figure skating dancers was given at the ceremony.
Then followed the first day performance for the festival.
The festival continues until February 16.
Pyongyang city people's committee gives film show
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang city people's committee gave a film show at the Taedonggang club for the diplomatic corps on Friday on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Chinese residents in Pyongyang were invited to the film show.
Present there were Choe Yun Sik, vice-chairman of the committee, and other officials concerned.
The participants saw a Korean documentary film impressively showing distinguished exploits of the President Kim Il Sung who successfully solved the problem of the successor to the leadership for accomplishing the Juche revolutionary cause and Kim Jong Il's immortal exploits and lofty virtues.
Letter to general federation of peasants associations
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- The Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea Central Committee on Friday sent a letter to the General Federation of Peasants Associations of South Korea calling upon the South Korean peasants to take an active part in forming a "nationwide ad hoc committee for probing the truth behind the GIs' massacres."
Referring to the massacres of innocent peasants committed by the U.S. aggressors in South Korea not only in the period of the Korean War but also after the war, the letter noted that if the Korean people should fail to square accounts with the U.S. for mass killings at the present juncture, their killing spree would continue in South Korea and the South Korean people would suffer from such mass killings as that at Rogun-ri.
The letter expressed hope that the South Korean peasants will actively respond to the appeal of the political parties and organizations of the DPRK for formation of a "nationwide ad hoc committee for probing the truth behind the GIs' massacres."
When the committee is formed, the world people will witness the Korean nation punishing the U.S. and it will be a great step forward in defending the national dignity and independence, the letter stressed.
Int'l signature campaign for Korea's reunification called for
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- An appeal to the governments, political parties and organizations of all countries and international bodies around the world was adopted on Feb. 5 at the meeting of the executive committee of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea.
The appeal noted that the main obstacles to Korea's reunification are the U.S. interference in the internal affairs of Korea, the presence of the U.S. troops in South Korea and the South Korean authorities' anti-national suppression and their dependence on outside forces.
The appeal went on: The international community should fulfill its responsibility in carrying out resolution no. 3390 B of UN General Assembly calling for withdrawal of all foreign troops from South Korea and replacement of the Korean Armistice Agreement with a peace agreement.
The South Korean authorities should drop their policy of dependence on the U.S., repeal the notorious "security law", dissolve the "Intelligence Service", pull down the concrete wall, symbol of national division, and stop at once all the moves obstructive to patriotic unity of the whole nation for reunification.
The participants decided to launch an international signature campaign for supporting the three-point charter of national reunification of the Korean people and demanding withdrawal of the U.S. troops from South Korea and call upon the governments, political parties, organizations and people of different social standings in all countries and international organizations to take an active part in the international signature campaign for the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.
KCNA on Clinton's remarks
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- U.S. President Clinton said a few days ago that the U.S. would relax controls on exports of high-performance computers and semiconductors but strict controls would remain in place on exports to North Korea, and so on.
This is a clear indication of the U.S. intention to go ahead with its hostile policy to isolate and stifle the DPRK and we cannot but take a serious note of his utterance as the measure was taken in the run-up to the DPRK-U.S. vice-minister-level talks.
The U.S. is trying hard to justify sanctions against the DPRK, linking it with a sort of "issue of terrorism." but this is a far-fetched assertion.
As we have already explicitly clarified, we are opposed to terrorism in general.
The DPRK, a dignified UN member state, has consistently maintained the stand to oppose all forms of terrorism and any assistance to it.
The DPRK, which has invariably considered independence, peace and friendship as its noble idea of foreign policy and remained true to it, has nothing to do with the inglorious terminology of "state sponsor of terrorism." Therefore, it was an extremely unilateral and contradictory measure taken by the U.S. in pursuance of its hostile policy toward the DPRK for the U.S. to link it with the "state sponsor of terrorism."
If the U.S. had wished to improve its relations with the DPRK and nurtured a definite will to make a switchover in its policy towards the DPRK in the letter and spirit of the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework, it should have already declassified the DPRK as a "state sponsor of terrorism."
But there has been no substantial progress in the implementation of the agreed framework, though quite a long time has passed since its signing. This is, of course, because the U.S. has not given up such an anachronistic hostile policy as listing the DPRK as a "state sponsor of terrorism."
Such an act hostile to the other side of the dialogue before the talks is an undesirable behaviour vitiating the atmosphere for its start and laying an artificial obstacle in the way of achieving its objective.
The United States should show its will to improve its relations with the DPRK by immediately stop pursuing all its political, economic and military policies designed to isolate and stifle the DPRK, while absurdly linking the DPRK with "terrorism," and taking practical confidence-building measures.
International solidarity movement called for
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea (CILRECO) was held in Paris on February 5.
The meeting discussed the present situation on the Korean peninsula and its impact on Korean reunification and summed up last year's work of CILRECO and its tasks for this year.
Guy Dupre, secretary general of the CILRECO, in his report condemned the U.S. military provocations and economic blockade to stifle the DPRK and the South Korean authorities' policy of dependence on foreign forces and their policy of anti-north confrontation and moves to crack down upon the pro-reunification forces last year.
The Korean reunification has not yet been realized not because Korean people do not wish it or there is no reasonable solution to the issue but it is because of the U.S. interference and its followers the South Korean authorities' policy of depending on foreign forces, he said, and went on:
It should be a central task of the international solidarity movement with the Korean people to express support and solidarity with the three-point charter of national reunification: The three principles of national reunification--independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity--the ten-point program for the great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo.
He called for opening up a decisive phase in the struggle of CILRECO for "one Korea" by holding the fifth world congress to support Korea's reunification this year.
A letter to General Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
In the letter its participants highly praised the great successes the heroic Korean people under the outstanding leadership of Kim Jong Il have achieved by frustrating the imperialists' moves and tiding over difficulties caused by several years of natural disasters.
The letter said that the participants vowed to further strengthen international support and solidarity for the reunification and the cause of peace in Korea by holding the 5th World Congress to Support Korea's Reunification this year.
The meeting adopted the 2000 action program of CILRECO and an appeal to the governments, political parties, organizations of the world and international organizations.
The action program called for widely introducing the justness of the three-point charter of national reunification and appealed to the world progressive forces to undertake a widespread campaign supporting the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.
It also called for waging a vigorous international movement for the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from South Korea and an end to the U.S. interference in the internal affairs of Korea and lifting up voices demanding the U.S. and the South Korean authorities stop their military provocations against the DPRK.
Flimsy political farce
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Recently 30 reactionary conservative groups of South Korea inaugurated what they call "conservative federation of people for April 13 general elections." In an "inaugural declaration" they unilaterally made public a "guideline for the anti-candidate campaign" designed to prevent those who call for the U.S. troops pullout and repeal of the "security law." They said that they would turn to "surveillance" over the "moves" of "pro-north forces."
Rodong Sinmun today describes this as something to block the "anti-candidate campaign" of civic organisations.
The news analyst says:
The civic organisations of South Korea have defined as the targets of their campaign more than hundreds of corrupt politicians, including those involved in a military coup, dictatorial "governments" and irregularities and corruption.
This is aimed at preventing those who betrayed the country and nation from being elected "national assemblymen."
The "guideline" set out by the "federation" is a challenge to the desire of the people. Its allegation is meant to brand democrats who want alliance with the north and communism and reunification as "pro-north forces" and as the targets of fascist suppression and rig their "return" in the "elections."
With the "campaign" gaining momentum in South Korea the traitors are bound to face a trial by the people.
Upset by this, the South Korean authorities hurriedly inaugurated such reactionary organisations as the "federation" to play a flimsy political farce.
Things will not go as they wish.
Sankei Shimbun assailed for its false propaganda
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today in a signed commentary brands Sankei Shimbun as a group of hack writers speaking for the unreasonable position of the Japanese reactionaries.
Sankei Shimbun on January 30 said in an article titled "Decisive phase of Japanese diplomacy in 2000, establishment of identity," written in the form of interview that the Japanese political parties and organizations should approach North Korea in a manner of projecting the issue of "suspected abduction".
Sankei Shimbun had been put to shame at home and abroad several times for spreading misinformation at other's requisition the past, the commentary says, and continues:
The issue of "suspected abduction" peddled by the paper is nothing but a fiction dreamed up by the South Korean authorities.
The Japanese authorities are now being driven into a tight corner by our principled position concerning the improvement of DPRK-Japan relations.
The script about "suspected abduction" written by the South Korean authorities was the best card to be played by the Japanese reactionaries to improve their unfavorable position.
They sought through this to make the issue a fait accompli and build up public opinion in a bid to impair the daily growing international prestige of the DPRK, use it as a political bargaining chip and put the brake on the improvement of DPRK-Japan relations.
Sankei Shimbun is taking the lead in covering up the wicked intention of the Japanese reactionaries and speaking for them.
We don't know how much money Sankei Shimbun got in return for dancing to the tune of others without its own view, but it should know that it is not good for itself either.
The Japanese authorities are conniving at and fanning up the false propaganda of mass media against the DPRK under the pretext of "freedom of speech."
It is a trite method of the Japanese authorities to use media in building up public opinion for their unreasonable political purpose and then wear an air of innocence.
But no one will believe the false propaganda of Sankei Shimbun.
Sankei Shimbun will have to pay a high price for its false propaganda.
Papers observe day of victory in Islamic revolution
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Papers here observe the 21st anniversary of the victory in the Islamic revolution of Iran.
Minju Joson in a signed article says that the victory in the Islamic revolution firmly guaranteed the advance of the Iranian people along the road of independent development.
It continues:
Over the last more than 20 years since the victory the Iranian people have vigorously advanced along the road of anti-imperialist independence chosen by themselves, foiling the imperialists' political and military pressure and economic sanctions and firmly defending the gains of the Islamic revolution.
The Iranian government and people have maintained the tough anti-U.S. stand that there can be no improvement of relations with the U.S. unless it drops its dominationist policy after branding it as the arch enemy of the Islamic revolution.
The friendly relations between the peoples of the DPRK and Iran are daily developing on the road of independence against imperialism.
The Korean people sincerely wish the Iranian people greater successes in their future struggle to build a new independent society, firmly maintaining the anti-imperialist stand.
U.S. intention to stifle DPRK under fire
Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- It is the DPRK's principled stand to hold dialogue with the U.S. if it wishes it or fight a war against it if it imposes the war upon the DPRK, says Minju Joson today in a signed commentary blasting the chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff for disclosing its intention to stifle the DPRK militarily in his speech at a senate armed services committee meeting on Feb. 8.
The DPRK is ready for both dialogue and war and has the right to choose between them. The U.S. is seriously mistaken if it thinks it alone is free to have an option.
It is a criminal act that the U.S. is working hard to provoke a war of aggression against the DPRK in gross violation of the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework in which the U.S. promised not to threaten the DPRK militarily, the commentary notes, and goes on:
The U.S. is professing the implementation of the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework and improvement of the bilateral relations when it sits with the DPRK side but is taking measures to stifle the DPRK by force when they go back.
What the U.S. seeks through talks is to weaken the DPRK's vigilant and alert posture.
This true intention of the U.S. compels the DPRK to further increase its national defence capabilities, holding fast to the policy of attaching great importance to the military.
There is a limit to our patience.
If the U.S. persists in its moves to stifle the DPRK by force, it will exercise its right to self-defence.