Kim Yong Nam meets Dominican party leader
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met had friendly talks with Ivan Rodriguez, chairman of the c.c., the Dominican Worker's Party, on a visit to Korea to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
On the occasion Ivan Rodriguez expressed his heartfelt greetings to Kim Jong Il on his birthday.
He said that during the stay he has seen the Korean people rallied close around Kim Jong Il make signal achievements in socialist construction in defiance of the imperialists' challenges and pressure.
Under his leadership the workers' party and people of Korea will achieve greater success, he hoped.
Greetings to Dominican Prime Minister
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, Prime Minister of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Rosie Douglas, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
The message congratulated him on his assumption of office as Prime Minister and wished him success in the performance of his new duty.
Floral basket to Kim Jong Il from Palestinian President
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a basket of flowers and a congratulatory letter from Yasser Arafat, President of the State of Palestine, on the occasion of his birthday.
Shaher Mohammed Abdlah, Ambassador E.P. of the State of Palestine to the DPRK, today conveyed them to Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea.
Flower baskets and letters to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received baskets of flowers and congratulatory letters from the diplomatic corps, the military attaches' corps and economic and commercial councilors' corps in Pyongyang on the occasion of his birthday.
They were handed to choe thae bok, secretary of the C.C. of the Worker's Party of Korea, by doyen of the diplomatic corps Shaher Mohammed Abdlah, Ambassador E.P. of the State of Palestine to the DPRK, to vice marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, by military attach of the Vietnamese embassy Vu Dinh Thang, doyen of the military attaches' corps, and to an official concerned by Sergei Leushikin, commercial councilor of the Russian embassy, in the name of the Economic and Commercial Councilors' Corps on Feb. 14.
Gifts to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received gifts from the Unified Communist Party of Italy and the Party of Communists of the Moldovan Republic.
The gifts were conveyed to an official concerned by the visiting member of the leadership of the Unified Communist Party of Italy Pasqufale Felice and the visiting secretary of the c.c., the Party of Communists of the Moldovan Republic Borgula Lyudmila Viktorovna who are heading the delegations of the parties.
And a gift to Kim Jong Il from the delegation of the Palang Dharma (Righteous Force) Party of Thailand was conveyed to an official concerned by its leader Chaivat Sinsuwong who is leading the delegation.
Talks between WPK and foreign political party delegations held
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Worker's Party of Korea had talks respectively with delegations of the Communist Worker's Party of Finland for Peace and Socialism, the Unified Communist Party of Italy and the Party of Communists of the Moldovan Republic yesterday here.
At the talks both sides informed each other of their party activities and exchanged views on developing the relations between those parties and on issues of mutual concern.
Letter to Kim Jong Il from Thai party leader
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory letter from Chaivat Sinsuwong, leader of the Palang Dharma (Righteous Force) party of Thailand, on a visit to the DPRK, in the run-up to his birthday.
Chaivat Sinsuwong conveyed the letter to an official concerned.
Korean people significantly celebrate February holiday
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Colorful events have been taking place one after another in the DPRK to celebrate the 58th birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
An increasing number of the people visit his native home in the secret camp on Mt. Paektu with the approach of the February holiday.
Kim Jong Il was born in that secret camp on February 16, Juche 31 (1942).
Young model soldiers of the Korean People's Army in a winter excursion to his native home left Hyesan on Feb. 8 and arrived at its destination on the 13th and held a meeting to make their resolution. The group was made up of over 1,500 KPA youth league officials and active servicemen.
Similar excursions of members of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) and the Union of Agricultural Workers (UAW) of Korea have already been finished.
An excursion to the native home of school youth and children from across the country is going on.
Meanwhile, seminars and celebration meetings were held by the GFTU, the UAW and the Korean Democratic Women's Union.
It was stressed at the seminars and meetings that the rise of the bright star over Mt. Paektu in February has made it possible for the Korean people to carry forward to completion the revolutionary cause of Juche with credit, being blessed with the illustrious leaders generation after generation.
There were a forum of youth and students to speak highly of his virtues on the subject of "under guidance of the great Marshal" and the 12th national loyal festival of youth and children. The participants highly praised the undying feats of Kim Jong Il who is leading the Korean youth movement to victory.
Celebrations get all the more brilliant with the birthday coming nearer.
4th Kimjongilia Show opens
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- The 4th Kimjongilia Show was open here on the occasion of the February holiday, the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Exhibited there are at least 4,500 pots of Kimjongilia contributed by many units and people from all walks of life across the country and foreigners.
It has been sponsored by the DPRK Kimjongilia Federation since Juche 86 (1997).
An opening ceremony took place at the Pyongyang International House of Culture today.
Present there were Yang Hyong Sop, Kim Ki Nam and other leading officials, delegations and delegates from Japan, China, France and the United States and a delegation of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan which came here to participate in the show.
The flower, a perennial plant, came into being in Juche 77 (1988) thanks to the research and painstaking efforts of a Japanese horticulturist Mototeru Kamo for over 20 years.
He named the flower after Kim Jong Il, the most distinguished great man in the present era, and presented it to him as a gift on the occasion of his 46th birthday.
The flower was awarded a special prize and a gold medal at the 12th international flower show, grand prize, the highest prize, and a diploma at the Kunming Global Flower Fair of China and the highest prize at the Jilin Flower Fair.
More than 700,000 Kimjongilias are in full bloom in at least 60 countries of the world.
The show continues.
A symposium is expected to take place during the show to exchange experience gained in the cultivation and propagation of the immortal flower.
Taekwon-do exhibition performance given
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- An exhibition performance of the DPRK Taekwon-do players and instructors was given at the Taedonggang club for the diplomatic corps on Saturday on the occasion of the February holiday.
Invited to it were representatives and officials of foreign embassies in the DPRK and members of international organization missions here.
Kim Jong Hyong, vice-chairman of the DPRK Taekwon-do Committee, and officials concerned were present there.
The performers conducted powerful movements of Taekwon-do, a martial art showing resourcefulness and bravery of the Korean nation.
Greatest national holiday in Korea
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Colorful functions are taking place in the DPRK to celebrate the 58th birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il (February 16), the greatest national holiday.
Excursion teams of soldiers, youth and students, working people and visitors are streaming to his birthplace at the secret camp on Mt. Paektu and Kim Il Sung University, Jangsan, Rihyon and other revolutionary sites.
A national art exhibition, a national photo exhibition and an exhibition of photos showing sunrise on Mt. Paektu opened in Pyongyang to celebrate his birthday.
The 4th Kimjongilia Show is open at the Pyongyang International House of Culture amidst concern of horticulturists, floriculturists and people at home.
An international figure skating festival is proceeding at the ice rink.
Documentary films showing the greatness and revolutionary activities of Kim Jong Il and scores of feature films are screened at cinema houses across the country.
Sports contests for paektusan cup are in full swing at stadiums and gymnasiums.
Song and dance performances and light comedies, prepared by art troupes including the Mansudae Art Troupe, the State National Art Troupe and the State Theatrical Company, will soon raise the curtain.
Seminars on the outstanding ideological and theoretical activities and immortal revolutionary feats of Kim Jong Il are being held.
People, soldiers, youth and students are sending messages of greetings and congratulatory letters to Kim Jong Il, carrying their wishes for his good health and their pledge of faith.
Mass media give special write-ups on his revolutionary feats every day. Many songs and poems praising him are being created and disseminated.
Celebration posters, large picture boards and ornaments have been set up on streets and at villages, adding to a festive mood.
Servicemen vow loyalty to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Officers and men of the three services of the Korean People's Army met before the native home of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il at the secret camp on Mt. Paektu yesterday morning to vow their loyalty to him on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday. Before and after the meeting firecrackers were displayed in the sky over Jong Il Peak in the camp to be followed by shouts of "hurrah" by its participants. This was a striking manifestation of their firm faith and will demonstrated in celebration of the holiday of February when the nation acclaimed the rise of the bright star of Paektu 58 years ago.
Jo Myong Rok, director of the general political department of the KPA, in his report at the meeting said that the birth of Kim Jong Il was a historic event which promised eternal prosperity of Juche Korea and a bright future of the era of independence.
The reporter said that he has stood in the van of the revolution for scores of years to perform immortal exploits on behalf of the times and history through his outstanding ideological and theoretical activities and great revolutionary practice.
He said that all the officers and men of the KPA should absolutely worship and follow only the Supreme Commander, be human bombs and suicide bombers to defend the headquarters of the revolution with their lives and vigorously struggle for security and prosperity of the socialist fatherland.
Then, led by representatives of the KPA three services, all the officers and men made a solemn pledge to be vanguard fighters upholding the army-first policy of the Worker's Party of Korea with loyalty and reliably guarantee the ultimate victory of the Korean style socialism and the building of a powerful nation with arms, cherishing the honor and happiness of holding Kim Jong Il in high esteem.
Among those present at the meeting were Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, general Pak Jae Gyong and general officers of the KPA, commanders of arms and services of the KPA, leading officials and working people.
Kim Jong Il's birthplace at Paektusan secret camp
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- More people and excursionists are visiting Kim Jong Il's birthplace at the Paektusan secret camp to mark the auspicious holiday of February.
More than 3,040,000 people of different social standings, overseas compatriots and foreigners have visited there since the secret camp opened in Juche 76 (1987).
The secret camp native house is a historic place where General Secretary Kim Jong Il was born on February 16, Juche 31 (1942) and spent his childhood.
He grew up at this house as a great son of the nation, hearing gun reports like a lullaby.
Preserved at the native house are historic relics including a blanket, a wooden pistol, a pair of binoculars and a Korean map which he used.
Set up at the yard is a monument engraved with an ode the President Kim Il Sung wrote in praise of the immortal revolutionary feats of Kim Jong Il on his 50th birthday.
Jong Il Peak beside the house rises high in the sky.
The Korean people carved big letters "Jong Il Peak" on the peak in November 1988, carrying their infinite respect and reverence for him.
It was confirmed by an observation datum that 216.42 metres high from the yard of the house to the top of the peak coincide with the date of his birth.
Trees bearing slogans inscribed by the Korean people, celebrating his birth as the great auspicious event of the nation and highly praising him as "Paektu Kwangmyongsong" (bright star over Mt. Paektu), are seen at the secret camp and many other places of Korea.
Mt. Paektu, sacred mountain of the revolution, has become the native place dear to the Korean people for his birthplace on the mountain.
KCNA on outstanding issues between DPRK and Japan
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- A persistent rumour about "outstanding issues between Japan and the DPRK" is afloat in Japan with regard to the scheduled talks for bilateral diplomatic relations.
The right-wing forces of Japan raise as an outstanding issue the "suspected abduction" whose true nature has been already disclosed. Worse still, some of the right-wing politicians are asserting that a solution of the "suspected abduction" issue should be a prerequisite to the talks.
Such arguments are carefully hatched political plots to disguise the assailant as "victim." So to speak, through this they seek to evade the liquidation of the past, an outstanding issue that can never be turned aside from political, moral and legal points of view.
The core of the outstanding issues between the DPRK and Japan from those points of view, is for Japan to make an apology and compensation for the political, moral, material and human losses it imposed upon the Korean people as well as the heinous crimes it committed against the Korean nation during its occupation of Korea.
The history of relations between Korea and Japan evidently proves which of the two countries has been an assailant or victim.
During the occupation of Korea the Japanese imperialists abducted or walked away over six million young and middle-aged Koreans, murdered more than one million innocent people and took away nearly 200,000 Korean women as "comfort women for the Japanese army."
They also plundered Korea of a huge amount of gold, iron ore, lead, zinc, magnesite, anthracite and other resources and a lot of cultural wealth and, during the "Pacific War," deprived each family of Korea of even spoons and chopsticks.
Such unprecedented atrocities in the 20th century as murder, kidnapping, raping and plunder can never be denied or erased though Japan plays tricks, raising the issue of some Japanese who had been reported missing in their territory without reason.
We don't care about whether Japan will have diplomatic ties with us or not. However, Japan, an assailant, must make clear apology and adequate compensation to the Korean people, a victim. This is the primary outstanding issue between the DPRK and Japan, whose solution brooks no further delay and which can never be turned aside.
It is preposterous to argue about other issue without a solution to this basic issue. Such mode of thinking and argument only reveals a short-sighted mode of politics and poor diplomacy.
The right-wing forces of Japan must not act rashly, mindful that dialogue channels arranged with so much effort may be cut off if they persistently raise other matters than the outstanding issues.
We will keep tabs on Japan's attitude.
S. Korean authorities revision of election law assailed
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities passed a "bill on revision of the 'election law' on allegedly checking election of undesirable persons and unfair election" through the "national assembly." Its key point is that the "election campaign" by the civic organizations would be "allowed" only for 17 days fixed for the "election campaign" and even in that case, it can be done only in the form of press interview or through internet.
Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary dismisses this as a legislation intended to put into practice the authorities' political stratagem to commit "election" fraud more easily by mercilessly cracking down upon the struggle of the civic organizations and democratic forces against fraudulent "election" as an "illegal one".
The commentary goes on:
The revised "election law" is a reactionary evil law which shortens the period of "election campaign" by the civic organizations and outlaws the "anti-nomination and anti-candidate campaign" of broad democratic forces targeted at the corrupt politicians.
This is clearly evidenced by the fact that no sooner had the "revision of the election law" begun than the "supreme public prosecutor's office" of South Korea let out the fascist outcries that it will "stringently deal" with the civic organizations' "anti-nomination and anti-candidate campaign" banned by "law," and mercilessly "punish" those staging rallies, street propaganda and signature campaign.
The South Korean rulers, who have revised the "election law" in a bid to fake up a "landslide victory" of their parties in the "election" come what may at the point of bayonet and through irregularities, are a group of fascist tyrants and political gangsters. It is quite natural and unavoidable for the corrupt philistines, going against the aspiration and desire of the people, to face a stern trial by history.
Japan hit for its ever more reckless moves for overseas aggression
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- The Japan Defense Agency unveiled a plan to introduce a new communication network to integrate the commanding communication systems of the ground, marine and air "Self-Defence Forces" which are now operated separately and to organize a patrol helicopter corps aboard escort ships.
Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary dismisses this as an undisguised design of Japan for overseas aggression.
The commentary observes:
The Japanese reactionaries try to justify their moves to turn Japan into a military giant under the absurd pretext of someone's "threat", talking about "peace" and "security" in northeast Asia. This is nothing but a nonsensical sophism.
They have secured a legal basis on which the Japanese "SDF" can participate in military actions for aggression in the "event of contingency in areas surrounding Japan" under the cloak of "cooperation" with the U.S. forces. They are now keen on readjusting and reinforcing the commanding systems and enhancing efficiency of military operations.
Their plan to organize a patrol helicopter corps aboard escort ships is part of the moves to beef up the marine forces of aggression.
They are acting rashly, obsessed with the design for overseas aggression. But it will bring only disgrace and destruction to them.
They are foolish enough to designate the DPRK as the first target of their overseas aggression. But this only enrages the Korean People's Army and people.
If they unleash a war of aggression against the DPRK, our people's army and people will deal merciless blows to the aggressors to give vent to their pent-up resentment and hatred. Then it will be too late for them to repent of their aggression.
Kim Jong Il's work published in Italy
Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- A publishing house of Italy brought out in booklet the great leader Kim Jong Il's work "the Worker's Party of Korea Is the Party of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung" on the occasion of his 58th birthday.
Carried in the work published on October 2, Juche 84 (1995) is the will of Kim Jong Il to carry forward to completion the revolutionary cause of President Kim Il Sung, the founder of the WPK.