Kim Jong Il meets participants in meeting
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il met with the participants in a meeting of KPA company political instructors to congratulate them on February 28.
At the photographing place he sent cordial regards to the cheering participants, waving back to them.
He warmly congratulated the participants upon their great achievements in educating and leading forward soldiers of companies, sharing life and death, sweets and bitters with them like their eldest sister and building up the companies into ranks of human bombs each of whose members is a match for a hundred foes to greatly contribute to the growth of the people's army into invincible revolutionary armed forces unfailingly loyal to the WPK, the leader, the country and the people true to the military line of the party, and posed for a photograph with them.
He expressed expectation and conviction that the political instructors of companies would register greater success in their efforts to build up a company, a cell and basic combat unit of the people's army, politically and militarily and thus strengthen and develop the people's army into an unconquerable fortress of socialism and the driving force for the building of a powerful nation.
Among those accompanying him were Jo Myong Rok, director of the KPA general political department= Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff= Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces= vice marshals Jon Jae Son and Pak Ki So= and general officers of the KPA.
Kim Jong Il sees performance of KPA merited choir
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il appreciated, together with the participants in a meeting of company political instructors of the Korean People's Army, a performance given by the KPA merited choir at the April 25 House of Culture on Monday.
Seeing the performance with him were director of the KPA general political department Jo Myong Rok, chief of the KPA general staff Kim Yong Chun, Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Il Chol, KPA vice marshals Jon Jae Son and Pak Ki So, commanders of arms and services and other general officers of the KPA.
The program included chorus items "Song of Comradeship," "Where Is the Dear General," "We Will Advance Full of Confidence," "We Will Devotedly Safeguard the Headquarters of the Revolution" and others.
The performers sang of the undying feats of Kim Jong Il who has been conducting energetic activities all day and night to strengthen the heroic KPA into invincible revolutionary armed forces. They also demonstrated the faith and will of all the KPA men and officers to reliably ensure the building of a powerful nation and the victory of the revolutionary cause of Juche with arms under his leadership.
Kim Jong Il expressed great satisfaction at their successful performance of high ideological and artistic value and highly appreciated the feats performed by the merited choir.
Greetings to President of Guinea-Bissau
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on Feb. 28 sent a message of greetings of Kumba Ialla upon his assumption of office as President of Guinea-Bissau.
In the belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would continue to develop, the message wished the President fresh success in his responsible work for the prosperity of the country.
Yugoslav Foreign Minister's visit to DPRK wrapped up
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- Zivadin Jovanovic, Foreign Minister of Yugoslavia, and his party left here today at the end of their four-day visit to the DPRK.
While staying in Korea they visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to the President Kim Il Sung and laid bunches of flowers before his statue on Mansu Hill.
They also visited Mangyongdae, the tower of the Juche idea, the Pyongyang metro, the Mansudae Art Studio and other places.
Joint communique on Korea visit of Yugoslav FM
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- A joint communique on the DPRK visit of the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was released in Pyongyang.
The communique says:
Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin Jovanovic paid an official visit to the DPRK from February 26 to 29, 2000 at the invitation of his DPRK counterpart Paek Nam Sun.
At the talks and meetings both sides informed each other of the situation in their countries and had an earnest exchange of views on international issues of mutual concern, including the situation in northeast Asia and in the Balkans and issues of bilateral relations.
Expressing deep apprehension as to ever more pronounced high-handed acts for domination and hegemony in the international relations, both sides strongly denounced such reckless arbitrary practices as defying the UN Charter and other international conventions and abusing international organizations to meet the interests of big powers and called on the progressive peace-loving forces to take concerted actions against them.
The DPRK and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia reiterated the need to further strengthen support and cooperation in international relations and make concerted efforts for peace and development of humankind.
The DPRK side highly praised the Yugoslav people for having defended their freedom and independence from the NATO's aggression and achieved unity in their struggle for the rehabilitation and construction of the country under the leadership of Slobodan Milosevic.
It expressed full support to the Yugoslav government and people in their legitimate efforts to guarantee dignity and territorial integrity of the country, bring peace and stability to the Balkans and rejoin international organizations and the non-aligned movement.
The Kosovo issue should be settled on the principle of equality among citizens and ethnic communities in this autonomous province as stipulated by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, it stressed.
The Yugoslav side expressed thanks to the DPRK government and people for supporting the Yugoslav people who are opposed to the aggression of the imperialists.
It highly praised the Korean people for vigorously accelerating the building of a powerful nation true to the line of giving great importance to ideology, the military and science and technology, single-heartedly rallied around the great leader Kim Jong Il.
It expressed firm support to the DPRK government and people in their just struggle to achieve the national reunification by a confederacy formula in accordance with the three-point charter for national reunification and the five-point policy for great national unity and held that the U.S. forces should unconditionally and immediately withdraw from South Korea and a peace agreement should be concluded between the DPRK and the U.S. to defuse the tensions on the Korean peninsula and defend the peace and security in Asia and the rest of the world.
Both sides agreed to have more brisk bilateral contacts and visits in political, economic and all other fields and actively cooperate with each other for a fair and peaceful settlement of all the international issues.
The Korean side, availing itself of the opportunity, expressed thanks to the Yugoslav government for rendering humanitarian assistance to the DPRK despite its hard conditions.
The Foreign Minister of the federal republic of Yugoslavia invited the DPRK Foreign Minister to visit his country.
His invitation was accepted with pleasure and it was agreed to fix the date for the visit through a diplomatic channel.
DPRK FM spokesman on Korea visit of Australian FM delegation
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry today answered a question put by KCNA as regards the recent visit of an Australian Foreign Ministry delegation.
He said:
As reported earlier the delegation of the department of foreign affairs and trade of Australia headed by its first assistant secretary visited our country from February 22 to 26 last.
During the visit talks were held at earnest atmosphere between the delegations of the foreign ministries of the two countries.
At the talks both sides discussed the issue of normalizing the relations between the two countries, exchanged opinions on several matters of common interest including that of regional security and agreed to continue their contact in the future.
During its sojourn the delegation visited the assistance projects of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the World Food Program (WFP), expressed its understanding of the still strained food situation in our country and reaffirmed the position of the government of Australia on continuing its humanitarian assistance to our country in the future, too.
Yugoslav Foreign Minister hosts reception
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- Zivadin Jovanovic, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, hosted a reception yesterday in connection with their visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Addressing the reception, he expressed the conviction that their visit to the DPRK would contribute to boosting cooperation in all spheres between the two countries, saying that Yugoslavia and the DPRK have excellent friendly and cooperative relations and they share identical views on international issues.
The visit has provided us with an opportunity to know better about the efforts of the Korean people to achieve the country's reunification peacefully under the leadership of the great Kim Jong Il, he noted, expressing support to the Korean people's struggle to reunify the country and build a powerful nation.
He expressed the belief that the Korean people would surely achieve their just cause.
Foreign Minister of the DPRK Paek Nam Sun recalled that the Foreign Minister of Yugoslavia and his party voiced full support and firm solidarity to the Korean people's struggle to reunify the country by a confederacy formula on the three principles of national reunification--independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity.
Their visit to the DPRK has marked an important occasion in comprehensively expanding and developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, he added.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from President of Democratic Congo
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from Laurent Desire Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the occasion of his birthday.
The gift was handed to the DPRK ambassador to the DRC on Feb. 21.
"Globalization" under fire
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- the "globalization" which has been advertized by the United States and other western countries as a trend of the times at the end of the cold war is on the verge of bankruptcy and no more than a delusion, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article.
Recalling that the "globalization" was unanimously denounced at such international conferences as the the 10th meeting of the u.n. Conference on trade and development and the 30th world economic forum and talks, the article says:
The "globalization" has not brought any progress and prosperity to the world, except inequality, contradiction and deplorable situation.
Humankind should not go in for the "globalization" but opt to establish a new international political and economic order whereby to meet the interests of all countries and nations and protect their sovereignty.
A new free and peaceful world can be built only when the moves of the imperialists for "globalization" are frustrated and a new fair international order established.
Youth observation team for fair election formed
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- a youth observation team for fair election was reportedly formed in South Korea.
The organisation consisting of students affiliated with the youth voluntary service team of the promotion council of the movement for the restoration of humanity called for a fair election.
Middle and high school students of the organisation held a meeting denouncing those defeated in the nomination of candidates, while groups of them appealed to passers-by in seoul for a fair election.
Pyongyang streets of unique style
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- Foreign visitors to Pyongyang are struck by its two qualities of the city -- beautiful to the eye and magnificent in appearance.
The streets built in unique style and the splendid decoration add beauty to the general composition of the city plan.
At the center of the city is built Changgwang Street with diversified high-rise apartment blocks and other majestic public buildings including the Pyongyang Koryo Hotel.
Kwangbok Street lined with massive dwellings of various types stretches from the center to the west, giving a three-dimensional effect.
Apartment blocks in the street are cylindrical, indented and polygonal and symmetrically combined with the Pyongyang Circus, youth hotel and Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace.
All the buildings are in harmonious proportion to one another.
Thongil Street situated south of the capital is characterized by striking symmetry of architectural composition and bright colors.
Apartment blocks, public buildings and networks of welfare service facilities present a wonderful ensemble.
The green-tiled Pyongyang noodle house, the white- and grey-colored dwellings and public buildings give an effect of cleanness and neatness.
S. Korean political critic on future of nation
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- South Korean political critic Yu Chol made public an article headlined "Think of future of the nation in new millennium," according to radio Voice of National Salvation from Seoul.
The critic wrote about leader Kim Jong Il who formulated the Juche idea of President Kim Il Sung as the guiding idea of the present times and is glorifying the north as a fortress of independence.
There is no doubt that thanks to Kim Jong Il's politics of independence, the sovereignty of the nation in the new millennium will be defended by the north as the destiny of the nation was safeguarded in the 1990s of upheavals, the critic said, and went on:
His politics of independence is becoming mightier for his famous army-first politics, which is the key to defending the destiny of the nation and opening its way.
The prosperity of the nation is open in the north where he is administering the politics of independence.
A powerful country he is building is an ideal of humankind, the country that has nothing to envy in ideology and politics, the military and economy and that is the strongest in the world.
He has already built up the north into an ideological power, political power and military power, demonstrating the dignity and honor of the nation all over the world.
If the north reaches the co-ordinates of an economic power, it will be a powerful nation.
The north has set the year 2000 as a year of a general advance for the building of a powerful nation and is now opening a bright future of the new millennium with the three-point strategy -- giving priority to ideology, arms and science and technology.
He is the banner of independent reunification.
He formulated the President's policy of independent reunification as the three-point charter of national reunification, providing all the fellow countrymen with an all-powerful sword.
The five-point policy of great national unity he set forth is a library of national unity which encourages anyone who wants reunification to a great road of reunification.
The South Korean authorities, pro-American flunkeyists, have no "proposal of reunification" but a scenario of confrontation such as "sunshine policy" and "engagement policy" to do harm to fellow countrymen in league with foreign forces.
The future of the nation is in the north which is led by Kim Jong Il, the sun of independence. The future of the nation is bright under his leadership.
Anecdotes on Kim Jong Il's on-site guidance
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- Many anecdotes praising lofty popular traits of the leader are told in the DPRK.
It happened in January, Juche 87 (1998) when General Secretary Kim Jong Il was visiting a factory on a guidance mission.
He, among other things, learned about how supply service for workers was conducted. Officials couldn't answer properly when asked about agricultural and livestock production in side-line bases and the production of daily necessaries.
Kim Jong Il told them to pay special attention to supply service for the people in order to serve them with sincerity. Setting the order of priority in summing-up all officials' work, he said a review of supply service for workers should come first to be followed by that of production.
It happened when he was making a trip to Jagang Province on his on-site guidance. One day, officials there prepared a special food for him. Upon hearing this, he declined their offer, saying that he could hardly take it because the people were on the forced march tightening their belts and that he was encouraged by their good faith.
And he recognized a lathe operator whom he had met 12 years ago and unreservedly grasped his hand stained with grease. Learning that representatives of workers could not reach the theatre on time, he waited for over one hour so that they might enjoy an art performance in his presence.
These are only some of many anecdotes about his lofty popular traits.
Fundamental question of Juche philosophy
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- A fundamental question of philosophy means the most basic one that serves as a starting point among the questions which the philosophy should answer to fulfil its mission.
The former philosophy presented the correlation between matter and consciousness, between being and thinking as the fundamental question of philosophy.
But the Juche philosophy raised from a new angle the relations between the world and man, and man's position and role in the world as the fundamental question of philosophy.
The fundamental question of the Juche philosophy indicates a most right path of shaping man's destiny.
Since man lives and develops in the world his destiny is hewed out in the relationship with the world. Therefore, the popular masses should dominate and transform the world to hew out their destiny and have a correct understanding of and view on the world. For this, it is necessary to correctly know what is the essential characteristics of man and what kind of force dominates, transforms and develops the world.
Hence, the Juche philosophy raised from a new angle the relations between man and the world as its fundamental question alone can give a correct answer as to who is the master of the world and what is the motive force for transforming and reshaping it.
The human history of philosophy has thus been enriched with a philosophy which has raised man's position and role in the world as its fundamental question different from the former one which takes relations between matter and consciousness as its fundamental question.
The Juche philosophy's clarification of this fundamental issue marked a miracle in the history of human thinking as it ushered in an era guided by the man-centred philosophy.
Worldwide signature campaign against U.S. war moves
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- The "Citizen's Network for the Peace on the Korean Peninsula" in cooperation with the "Globe Net", a movement organization for peace and disarmament based in Britain, is conducting a worldwide signature campaign against the U.S. plan to develop intercontinental ballistic missile, including the establishment of its "Theatre Missile Defence" system targeted against the northern half of Korea, etc, according to a news report from Seoul.
This organization called for a halt to the establishment of the plan of "ICBM Defense" system and its test-fire and development in its signature appeal to the U.S. President and congress.
It also accused the aerospace command of the U.S. air force of trying to control and dominate the middle and low altitude of space.
"Globe Net" and other movement organizations for world peace plan to hold an "International Conference Against Missile Defense" system in Washington on April 13 to submit a signature list to the U.S. President and congress.
Kim Jong Il registered as honorary citizen
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was registered as an honorary citizen of Latakia city, Syria.
A ceremony for awarding the certificate of honorary citizen was held at the city on Feb. 19.
The certificate was handed by the chairman of the city council to DPRK Minister of Finance Rim Kyong Suk, chairperson of the Korea-Syria Friendship Association, who is leading its delegation.
The certificate says that the title of honorary citizen is awarded to Kim Jong Il on the occasion of his 58th birthday in appreciation of the feats he performed in developing the Korean and world revolution and the friendly and cooperative relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The chairman of the city council said that he was glad to award him the title, noting that it was for the first time to award the title to a foreign head of state.
Congratulatory visit to DPRK embassy in Equatorial Guinea
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea headed by its general secretary Agustin Nze Nfumu paid a congratulatory visit to the DPRK embassy in Malabo on Feb. 14 on the occasion of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's birthday.
The general secretary warmly congratulated Kim Jong Il, the great leader of the Korean people, on his 58th birthday in the name of Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, founder-chairman of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea.
The revolutionary cause of Juche pioneered by the President Kim Il Sung is now being brilliantly carried forward by Kim Jong Il, he said, stressing the Worker's Party of Korea has developed into an ever-victorious, iron-willed party that enjoys the deep trust of the popular masses under his wise leadership.
The proposals of the WPK for the realization of national reunification by means of confederacy on the principle of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity will always get positive support from the DP of Equatorial Guinea, he added.