KPA navy command's important communique
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- The navy command of the Korean People's Army today issued an important communique "on declaring 'order of navigating to and from five islands' as a follow-up measure related to the fixing of Military Demarcation Line at the West Sea of Korea ."
The communique reads:
The general staff of the Korean People's Army, prompted by the desire to ensure territorial stability and peace, fixed the MDL at the West Sea of Korea and declared it to the world on September 2, Juche 88 (1999).
The MDL at the West Sea of Korea is the most reasonable, realistic and fair and aboveboard one that is in full accord not only with the Korean armistice agreement but with the international law.
The world people and even political, public and academic circles of South Korea admit the illegality of the "Northern Limit Line" and the legal validity of the new MDL at the west sea, saying that the new MDL at the west sea is based on a strong logic.
The "silent recognition" and "maintenance" of the "Northern Limit Line" on the lips of the U.S. forces side are thinly-veiled excuses designed to get rid of the inextricable position into which it was thrown by the just and fair and aboveboard MDL fixed by us at the West Sea of Korea .
Taking into consideration the fact that Paekryong, Taechong, Sochong, Yonphyong and U islands are under the U.S. forces side's control under the Korean Armistice Agreement but inside our territorial waters, we have made every possible effort to settle through negotiations navigation to and from those islands and other issues that may be raised between the two sides.
The U.S. forces side, however, has insisted on the "Northern Limit Line" it unilaterally fixed without any legal ground. It is clamoring about "victory" in the last armed conflicts at the West Sea of Korea in a bid to mislead public opinion while ceaselessly infiltrating its warships into territorial waters under our military control.
Such moves cannot be construed otherwise than a premeditated action intended to trigger off another shocking incident at the West Sea of Korea and bring the situation to the brink of war by instigating the South Korean authorities.
We have been ready to settle through negotiations those issues that may be raised while observing the extension of the MDL at the west sea. Now that the U.S. forces side finally refused to discuss them, we cannot wait any longer for its response to our offer for a technical discussion.
Therefore, the KPA navy command was authorized to confirm and declare the following "order of navigating to and from five islands" situated in the territorial waters north of the extension of the MDL at the West Sea of Korea :
1. Of the five islands under the U.S. forces side's control but inside our territorial waters, waters surrounding Paekryong, Taechong and Sochong islands shall be defined as first zone, waters around Yonphyong Island second zone and waters around U Island third zone.
A) The northern line of the first zone shall be 38 degrees N. and the eastern, southern and western lines shall be lines drawn 2 km wide in parallel with the base lines of Paekryong, Taechong and Sochong islands.
B) The northern line of the second zone shall be 37 degrees, 41 minutes, 24 seconds N. And the eastern, southern and western lines be lines drawn 2 km wide in parallel with the base line of Yonphyong Island.
C) The line of the third zone shall be a line drawn 2 km wide in parallel with the base line of U Island.
D) Military and civilian vessels of the U.S. forces side shall be free to navigate in the first, second and third zones unless it is hostile to our side.
2. All military and civilian vessels of the U.S. forces side should use the first waterway for navigating to and from the first zone and the second waterway for sailing to and from the second zone.
A) The first waterway shall be one mile wide on both sides with the line linked by the point 37 degrees, 10 minutes, 3 seconds north latitude and 125 degrees, 13 minutes, 19 seconds east longitude on the extension of the MDL at the west sea and the summit of the highest height on Sochong Island as an axis.
B) The second waterway shall be one mile wide on both sides with the line linked by the point 37 degrees, 31 minutes, 25 seconds north latitude and 125 degrees, 50 minutes, 38 seconds east longitude on the extension of the MDL at the west sea and the summit of the highest height on Taeyonphyong Island as an axis.
C) Planes are not allowed to fly in the sky above the U.S.forces-controlled islands in the territorial waters of our side in principle and all planes are permitted to fly only in the sky above these waterways in an unavoidable case.
3. Warships and civilian ships of the U.S. Forces side should strictly abide by the recognized international navigation rules in the first, second and third zones and the first and second waterways.
4. If warships and civilian ships and planes of the U.S. forces side go beyond the designated zones and waterways, it will be an outright intrusion into the territorial waters of our side and waters and airspace under our military control.
5. Neither threat nor hindrance to our side's movements are allowed during the stipulated transit, and these waterways and navigation zones shall not be used in blocking our warships and civilian ships from sailing.
6. The navigation zones and waterways have been designated this time in any aspect in consideration of the fact that the islands under the control of the U.S. forces side are inside the territorial waters of our side, and these zones and waterways shall not be waters of the U.S. forces side.
Our proclamation of the "order of navigating to and from five islands" is an expression of the strongest magnanimity to prevent conflicts at the west sea and afford convenience in islanders' life.
The U.S. forces side should respect the MDL at the west sea and strictly observe the instituted order of navigation.
No one can predict where and when anything will happen if the order of navigation is not observed.
Our revolutionary armed forces solemnly declare they will retaliate against the U.S. forces side without warnings if it dares challenge our sincere efforts to prevent conflicts at the west sea and ensure peace and security, dancing to the tune of the South Korean authorities who are vociferating about the so-called "victory in the Yonphyong naval battle."
March 23, Juche 89 (2000)
3rd Jong Il Peak Cup National Taekwon-do Championships held
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- The 3rd Jong Il Peak Cup National Taekwon-do Championships took place at the Taekwon-do hall here from March 16 to 21.
Competing at the championships were hundreds of boy and girl players from Pyongyang and provincial Taekwon-do clubs.
The championships were divided into pattern, sparring and special technique events and team and individual events.
Pyongyang players placed first in total placing of pattern individual (boy) and team sparring (boy) and other events.
Anniversary of world meteorological organization observed
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA)-- Minju Joson today devotes a signed article to the half centenary of the world meteorological organization.
Since its foundation the organization has developed geophysics, including meteorology and hydrology, thus contributing to the promotion of the wellbeing of humankind, the article notes, and goes on:
The meteorologists and hydrologists in the DPRK, keeping in touch with the world meteorological organization, are making accurate and scientific weather forecasts for all areas of the country and admirably and promptly analyzing meteorological data on it.
The DPRK will as always boost cooperation with the organization and take an active part in its activities in order to meet the people's needs for weather forecasting and make an input to harnessing the nature in keeping with their requirements and will.
Korean National Association 83 years old
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- The Korean National Association (KNA), an anti-Japanese underground revolutionary organization, was formed by Kim Hyong Jik, an indomitable revolutionary fighter, in Pyongyang (Kakdanggol) on March 23, Juche 6 (1917). He regarded the idea of "Jiwon" (aim high) as his maxim.
It was a secret organization the objective of which was to achieve national independence and build a truly civilized state through the concerted efforts of the Korean nation. It was the biggest anti-Japanese underground revolutionary organization active at home and abroad before and after the March 1st Popular Uprising.
The formation of the KNA was a historic event that marked a significant occasion in the development of the anti-Japanese national liberation movement in Korea.
This enabled the Korean people to have a revolutionary organization capable of giving uniform guidance to the national liberation movement throughout the country and confidently advance the movement through the efforts of the nation itself.
After its formation, Kim Hyong Jik put his heart and soul into the activities to expand its organizations across the country and abroad and rally broad masses of people around it.
As a result, its affiliated organizations were active in vast areas of Korea and abroad and a well-knit work system was established to unite people from all walks of life around it.
A revolutionary monument stands in Hakdanggol situated in the center of Pyongyang to convey the unforgettable story about how Kim Hyong Jik created the KNA more than 80 years ago.
Korean citizens cannot be plaything of Japanese politicians
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- The central committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League made public a statement on Wednesday, denouncing some Japanese impure elements for scheming to undermine the community of Koreans in Japan with "local suffrage."
The attempt to legislate on "local suffrage" is a political plot aimed at undermining the community of Koreans in Japan, destroying Chongryon (the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan), an overseas Koreans' organization, and assimilating Korean youths in Japan to Japanese, said the statement.
The attempt is an unpardonable criminal act of repeating in Japan the misfortune, sufferings and sacrifice inflicted upon the Korean people by the Japanese during their colonial rule over Korea a half century ago, the statement pointed out, and went on:
It should be allowed to make overseas citizens of a recognized sovereign state a plaything of Japanese politicians.
Japan should not make an anachronistic play for "suffrage" but make a sincere apology and compensation for its past crimes as demanded by the Korean and Japanese peoples and make a switchover in Korea policy.
The South Korean authorities should immediately give up their anti-national schemes to extend the tragedy of national division to the community of Koreans in Japan.
We strongly demand once again that the Japanese reactionaries unconditionally and immediately stop legislating on "local suffrage," a product of their hostile policy toward the DPRK.
Fight for establishment of democratic government called for
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- Chief Pak Kwang Gi of the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) had an interview with KCNA on March 22 36 years after the March 24 uprising.
He said:
The uprising was an eruption of the pent-up wrath of the South Korean people at the United States and Japan as well as of their resentment against the flunkeyist traitors.
The situation in South Korea is more grim, though 36 years have passed since the uprising.
The U.S. should put an end to its domination over and interference in South Korea and immediately pull all its aggression forces out of it and the Japanese reactionaries should abandon its anachronistic design for re-conquest and make a proper apology and compensation for its past crimes, as demanded by all the world people.
The Kim Dae Jung group should discard its evil habit of depending on outsiders and no longer join in the wicked efforts of the U.S. and Japan for aggression but step down at once.
The NDFSK in firm unity with the patriotic people from all walks of life will push ahead with a more vigorous struggle for the liquidation of Kim Dae Jung group that tops the list of pro-U.S., pro-Japanese elements, drive outsiders and traitors out of South Korea and courageously fight for the establishment of an independent, democratic government.
U.S. moves to embellish war of aggression on Korea
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- The U.S. government distributed to schools across the country "commemoration posters" on "southward aggression" by someone and its "counterattack" 50 years after the outbreak of the Korean War, according to a radio report from Seoul.
It is part of criminal moves to embellish the war of aggression provoked by the U.S. in the Korean peninsula 50 years ago.
Repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners brooks no further delay
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Measure Committee for Rescuing Unconverted Long-Term prisoners in South Korea yesterday made public the information that non-governmental organisations and people in South Korea are waging a vigorous struggle to send unconverted long-term prisoners back to the North Korea.
The information said:
Demand for the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners is daily growing stronger in South Korea after the formation of the Committee for the Promotion of the Repatriation of Unconverted Long-Term Prisoners involving 30 human rights, religious and public organisations in Seoul toward the end of last year.
In the New Year 2000 many non-governmental organisations, public figures and broad sections of people set themselves a goal of sending all the unconverted long-term prisoners, including Kim In So, Kim Yong Thae and Ham Se Hwan, back to the North Korea within this year and are out in the struggle to attain it.
In January human rights organisations and citizens in Chungju, North Chungchong Province, held a meeting to condemn the authorities for their inhumane act of blocking the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners.
The Committee for the Promotion of the Repatriation of Unconverted Long-Term Prisoners in South Korea held a conference in Seoul on January 18 and declared it would conduct a signature campaign for their unconditional repatriation. Involved there are prominent figures of Buddhist, Christian, catholic and other religious circles.
The committee held a seminar for their repatriation in Seoul on February 23 with the attendance of many officials of religious, human rights, civil, press and academic circles. Such demand for their repatriation reflects public sentiment in South Korea. This is clearly proved by the fact that an opinion poll recently conducted by a public organisation in South Korea showed that more than 78 percent of those polled supported the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners.
The South Korean authorities must abandon their wrong attitude toward the issue of the unconverted long-term prisoners and send them back to the North Korea as soon as possible where their families and relatives are waiting for them, as demanded all the people at home and abroad.
Slogans of "election-related" struggle published
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- The central committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) on March 17 published the slogans of struggle as regards the forthcoming "election for 16th-term National Assembly," calling upon the people to turn out in the anti-nomination, anti-candidate campaign, the Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation reported.
The slogans noted it is high time that people from all walks of life vigorously turned out in the anti-nomination, anti-candidate campaign to remove the foundation for the right-wing conservative and corrupt politicians' camp.
All people should take an active part in the campaign so as to blow up the ground for flunkeyism and treachery, anti-communist practices, fascism and irregularities, they stressed.
Corrupt politicians should be prevented from being nominated or elected as candidate and the political camp should be changed for new pro-democracy politics, they said, calling for voting for candidates desirous of independence, democracy and reunification.
Noting that the U.S. intervention in the "election" is an obstacle to democratization of South Korean society, they stressed the anti-nomination, anti-candidate campaign should be developed into an anti-U.S. struggle.
The slogans called for terminating the rotten politics through a nationwide "election" struggle and achieving independence, democracy and reunification at an earlier date.
U.S. arms buildup in South Korea condemned
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- Samuel Walker, chairman of the Labour Union of Guyana, made public a statement on March 14, denouncing the United States for extensively reinforcing armed forces in South Korea to aggravate the situation.
Although the U.S. talks about "peace" on the Korean peninsula and "improvement of relations" in public, the realities clearly show that there is little change in its policy of strength to stifle the DPRK by force of arms, said the statement.
It denounced the U.S. reckless acts of staging joint military exercises of different forms while reinforcing the U.S. forces present in South Korea and the South Korean armed forces and introducing modern combat equipment as a dangerous act of rendering the situation of the Korean peninsula strained. The statement demanded that the United States immediately stop all military action against the DPRK.
Efforts geared to united front
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- After its foundation the Worker's Party of Korea has invariably worked hard for a united front.
Political parties and public organisations that represented the interests of different classes and social strata were active in Korea even after its liberation from the Japanese imperialist occupation. Counterrevolutionary forces were trying to win middle-of-the-road forces over to their forces.
Under the situation the President Kim Il Sung put forward an idea of conducting a united front movement in the form of open united front of democratic political parties and public organisations calling for a democratic, sovereign and independent state and gave a wise guidance over the efforts to put the idea into practice.
He led political parties to take the road of democracy, while encouraging them to conduct their independent activities in conformity with their characters. The WPK under his guidance led political parties to join in the efforts for the establishment of a democratic provisional government, agrarian reform, nationalization of major industries and other democratic reforms in the society and, in that process, achieved cooperation and unity. It steered the work for a united front in such a way as to isolate and liquidate reactionary political parties and public organisations that grouped pro-Japanese elements and traitors to the nation.
Basing itself on this, the WPK inaugurated a standing organisation such as the Democratic National United Front at a meeting of representatives of four political parties and 13 public organisations in July, Juche 35 (1946).
In June 1949 it inaugurated the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland involving all democratic forces in the north and south of Korea and abroad to foil the moves of the U.S. and pro-American authorities to perpetuate the division of the country. The DFRF grouped at least 70 political parties and public organisations in the north, south and abroad except the political parties under the direct control of the then pro-American authorities. The WPK maintained independence in its activities and work for the united front, while playing its leading part and, at the same time, adhered to the principle of concentrating upon a united front of rank and file and achieving, on this basis, a united front of the upper strata.
The successes and experience of the WPK in the work for the united front serve as precious wealth in the struggle of all political parties, public organisations and people from all walks of life in the north and south and abroad to achieve the independent, peaceful reunification of the country in firm unity.
To conclude "general election" struggle with victory
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- The central committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (Hanminjon) in a declaration on the situation on March 17 called upon all the people to conclude the April 13 "general election" struggle with victory through a vigorous campaign for defeating right-wing conservative corrupt political forces and bring earlier the dawn of independence, democracy and reunification.
The declaration stressed that the issue of concluding the April 13 "general election" with a victory of the democratic forces as of today when the right-wing conservative corrupt political forces are criticized for recording crimes in the 50-year odd history of South Korean politics depends entirely on the action of all the people.
The declaration called upon the people to turn out in the campaign for defeating the right-wing corrupt politicians, dirty bastards of the dictatorial "government" and despicable political whores.
It denounced the United States for making the political situation reactionary by whipping together pro-American right-wing conservative forces and called for leading the defeat campaign to the anti-U.S. struggle.
It also called for activating the spring struggle of different strata in combination with the defeat campaign.
Victory is in store for the people who have risen up in unity, said the declaration. It laid stress on achieving the unity and joint action of all the national democratic forces.
Pakistani day observed
Pyongyang, March 23 (KCNA) -- Papers here today dedicate signed articles to the Day of Pakistan.
Rodong Sinmun says:
The Pakistani people have registered a great many successes in the efforts for the nation's political stability and the building of a prosperous, new society.
The DPRK Pakistan relations of friendship have developed on good terms.
It is the desire of the peoples of the two countries to boost the relations. The Korean people will in the future, too, work hard to develop the friendly relations with the Pakistani people.
Minju Joson expresses belief that the traditional relations of friendship between the two countries will grow stronger and develop and wishes the Pakistani people greater success in their future efforts for building a new life.