Kim Jong Il tours revolutionary battle sites
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il toured revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt. Paektu for several days.
He looked round the secret camp on Mt. Paektu, the Sajabong secret camp, the Chongbong camping ground and other historical battle sites where the President Kim Il Sung conducted brisk military and political activities during the anti-Japanese armed struggle after advancing into the homeland, commanding the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, and acquainted himself in detail with the management of the revolutionary battle sites and the education of people.
He noted with great satisfaction that the officials, party members and other people of the management offices of the revolutionary battle sites have established a flawless system for the permanent preservation of valuable relics, arranged battle sites well and carried out the effective education of people and soldiers in the revolutionary tradition and highly praised their deeds. And he showed deep loving care for them.
Going round the log cabin of the headquarters, barracks, slogan-bearing trees and other relics preserved at the secret camp, he said that the President was a legendary hero and peerlessly great man. The undying revolutionary exploits performed by the President will always remain in the hearts of the Korean people, he stressed.
The brilliant revolutionary tradition established by the President during the protracted anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle are strong roots of the Worker's Party of Korea and revolution of Korea, he said, adding that to intensify the education in the revolutionary traditions is a basic guarantee for accomplishing the revolutionary cause started by the President.
It is the steadfast will and determination of the WPK to defend, inherit and develop the revolutionary tradition for ever and accomplish the Korean revolution on the basis of these great traditions, he noted.
He set forth highly important tasks which will serve as guidelines in improving the management of the battle sites and intensifying education through them.
He called upon all the party members and other working people to glorify this year, the WPK's 55th anniversary with signal victory in the crucible of greatly increased activity of chollima by comprehensively and thoroughly applying in their life and work the revolutionary and militant spirit and way of life of the anti-Japanese guerrillas under the party's slogan, "Let Us Produce, Study and Live as the Anti-Japanese Guerrillas Did " he appreciated an art performance given by lecturers and keepers of the secret camp on Mt. Paektu and noted with great satisfaction that they gave a lively and truthful performance the way the anti-Japanese guerrillas did.
He was accompanied by secretary of the WPK Central Committee Kim Yong Sun, director of the party history institute Kang Sok Sung and first vice department directors of the WPK Central Committee.
Kim Yong Nam meets Italian Foreign Minister
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a talk with Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini and his party in a friendly atmosphere at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there were DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Tong Chun and other officials concerned and Italian ambassador to the DPRK Paolo Bruni.
Lamberto Dini expressed deep thanks for the friendly and cordial hospitality accorded to them.
He said that the two countries established diplomatic ties on the principle of mutual respect, sovereignty and equality and that Italy would make every possible effort to develop the friendly relations between the two countries.
Paek Nam Sun meets Italian FM and his party
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun today met and had a talk in a friendly atmosphere with his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini and his party.
Present there were Pak Tong Chun, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Paolo Bruni, Italian ambassador to the DPRK.
Hong Song Nam meets Italian Foreign Minister
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- Premier Hong Song Nam of the DPRK cabinet met and had a friendly talk with Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini and his party at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there were Kang Jong Mo, Minister of Foreign Trade, Pak Tong Chun, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Song Sok Hwan, vice-Minister of Culture, Hong Son Ok, vice-chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and other officials concerned and Paolo Bruni, Italian ambassador to the DPRK.
Gift to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from visiting Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini.
It was handed to an official concerned today.
Talks between DPRK FM and Italian FM
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- Talks between the DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini were held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
At the talks, both sides discussed the issue of developing in depth the bilateral relations in political, economic, cultural and other fields in keeping with the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and exchanged views on matters of mutual concern.
Present there were Pak Tong Chun, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned on the DPRK side and Lamberto Dini's party and Italian ambassador to the DPRK Paolo Bruni on the Italian side.
Talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Joint statement signed between DPRK and Italian governments
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- A joint statement on cooperation between the governments of the DPRK and the Republic of Italy in the fields of culture, art and science was signed here today.
It was signed by foreign ministers Paek Nam Sun and Lamberto Dini.
Present on the DPRK side were Pak Tong Chun, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Song Sok Hwan, vice-Minister of Culture, Hong Son Ok, vice-chairperson of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and officials concerned and on the opposite side were the party of the Italian Foreign Minister and Paolo Bruni, Italian ambassador to the DPRK.
Joint communique on Italian Foreign Minister's visit to DPRK
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- A joint communique on the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy to the DPRK was issued here today.
The full text of the joint communique reads as follows:
Lamberto Dini, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Italy, paid an official visit to the DPRK from March 28 to 29, 2000, at the invitation of the DPRK Foreign Minister, Paek Nam Sun.
Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met the Italian Foreign Minister and his party.
At the meeting Foreign Minister Dini conveyed greetings to the great leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Il from President of the Republic of Italy Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. And he also conveyed regards to Kim Yong Nam from the Italian President.
He met with premier of the DPRK cabinet Hong Song Nam and leading officials of economic and cultural institutions and exchanged with them views on expanding and developing the relations between the two countries.
Talks were held between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
Both sides were of the view that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries marked an event of weighty and potential significance and reached a consensus of views on expanding and deepening the friendly and cooperative relations in the political, economic and cultural fields on the principle of mutual respect, sovereignty and equality and on the principles laid down in the UN Charter.
Both sides agreed to develop bilateral negotiations at international organizations and through high-level and working-level contacts.
They recognized that their stands toward the issue of reforming the United Nations Security Council are similar to each other.
The DPRK reiterated its support to Italy's bid to become a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2001-2002.
The DPRK expressed thanks to the Italian government for its humanitarian aid, and the Italian side assured the DPRK that it would positively examine the latter's request for its sustained aid.
Both sides exchanged views on important issues related to the situation in northeast Asia and the European continent which are reflected in the UN Conventions and documents and of international concern at present.
Both sides stressed the importance of the dialogue which has already begun between the DPRK and EU and deemed it beneficial to continue the dialogue for developing the relations between the two sides in a candid and constructive spirit.
The Italian side reiterated its full support to the KEDO's plan within the framework of the EU.
The DPRK and the republic of Italy shared the view that the division of Korea, a source of constant tensions in this area, should be terminated peacefully at an early date through beneficial reunification-oriented dialogue and negotiations between the north and south of Korea.
The meetings took place in an amicable and candid atmosphere of mutual understanding.
During the visit a joint statement on cooperation in the fields of culture, art and science was signed between the two governments.
The Italian Foreign Minister expressed thanks to the DPRK government and people for the cordial hospitality accorded to him and invited the DPRK Foreign Minister to visit Italy in near future.
The invitation was accepted with pleasure.
It was decided to fix the date of the Italian visit of the DPRK Foreign Minister through a diplomatic channel in the future.
Reception given for Italian guests
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK gave a reception yesterday in honor of Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini and his party on a visit to Korea.
DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun said in his speech at the reception that the Korean visit of Lamberto Dini would be an important occasion of further deepening the bonds of friendship between the peoples of the DPRK and Italy and expanding and developing the bilateral relations in various fields such as politics, economy and culture.
The two countries have maintained good friendly relations, understanding and cooperating with each other, and the establishment of diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level between them marked an important event which opened a new chapter in the development of the bilateral relations, he noted.
He stressed that the DPRK would actively strive in the future, too, to comprehensively deepen and develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in keeping with the new requirements of the changing situation.
Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini said in his speech that their visit to the DPRK meant the start of practical dialogue between the two countries and the talks to be held between the two sides during their stay would offer a good occasion of deepening the bilateral understanding of a series of issues.
Expressing his view that there is the possibility for the two countries to develop cooperation in various fields, he said Italy was ready to continue humanitarian aid to the DPRK.
The reception was followed by an art performance.
DPRK and Namibian Foreign ministers exchange greetings
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a message of greetings to his Namibian counterpart Theo-ben Gurirab on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Namibian independence and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The message noted with pleasure that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have steadily developed on good terms and said that the DPRK would make energetic efforts to expand and develop the bilateral relations in the common interest of the two peoples in the future, too.
Theo-ben Gurirab in a message of greetings sent to Paek Nam Sun on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries expressed the belief that the friendly cooperation between the two countries would grow stronger and develop in all fields, especially, in the fields of socio-economic development and technical cooperation by their concerted efforts.
Paegam Pika
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- The mountains in the Paegam workers' district in the northern inland province of Ryanggang are a favorite habitat for pikas, which normally live on rocky mountains at least 1,000 metres above sea-level, in the piles of rubble along the railways or in tree hollows. They are found mostly on hard-to-reach mountain tops and rarely in dense forests.
The pika, when it hears a strange sound while outside, darts back into its burrow, squeaking along. Hence its occasional name, squeaking rabbit.
It is similar to a rat in size and appearance. It has short legs and is tailless. It is 15 to 20 cm in length and weighs 0.13 to 0.16 kg. Its fur color varies according to the season: Light maroon in summer and gray in winter. Its furs are soft and thick but lacking on the pads.
It does not hibernate, so it gathers in green grass for winter food and spreads it for drying, before piling it up just inside its burrow. It feeds mainly on green vegetables, rock-moss and lichens.
It always takes to a fixed path and lives in small groups. It is active normally at dusk and sometimes in the daytime on cloudy days.
An animal of a single species with peculiar habits, it is of academic interest.
Folk dance, shoulder dance
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- Shoulder dance representing one of the characteristics of Korean dance has been prominent in Korean dance.
In feudal society, farmers sought to ease the burdens of farming activities through shoulder movements. Another origin is that dance was performed whenever a process of farm operation was over in order to set their minds at rest.
Hence the name.
Shoulder dance was one of the favorites among the farmers. It is that its rhythmic character makes their heavy burdens on the body and mind lighter and spurs them to renewed vitality.
It was universally practiced in every part of Korea, the typical of which was found in the Unryul area in South Hwanghae Province.
The dancer's body has a natural appetite for rhythm, sometimes moving his or her shoulders in one place and sometimes by means of stylized movements, while walking.
Shoulders are drawn up alternately, which is peculiar to this area. When practiced, children will look very pretty, the middle-aged awkward and the elderly funny. The dance stimulates the watchers to vibrant response or provokes laughter. Unryul people used to have this dance to relieve their fatigue in leisure times and holidays.
Shoulder dance still gains popularity with the Koreans, acquiring a broader mass basis, spiced with local flavor.
It has been enlarged into a form suitable for stage presentation by professional art organizations, including the Wangjaesan Light Music Band.
Korean girls win matches to qualify for world women's ice hockey
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- Korean girls won matches to qualify for the World Women's Ice Hockey Pool B Championships held in Hungary from March 22 to 26.
The contest brought together teams from the DPRK, United Kingdom, Slovakia, Netherlands and four other countries, which competed in two groups.
The DPRK team came first in the contest by trouncing all its rivals in the group B and defeating the Slovak team, the winner in the group A, 3:1.
The game organizing committee chose the Korean team captain Kang Hyon Suk as the best player and awarded technique prizes to Korean players Kang Hyon Suk, Han Jong Ae, Kwak Kum Sil and Kim Hye Ryon.
KCNA warns S. Korean warmongers not to act rashly
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- Jo Song Thae, "Minister of Defense" of South Korea, in an interview with a newspaper on Sunday threatened that the "combined forces of South Korea and the U.S. would strongly retaliate against" what he called "provocation" from North Korea, according to a radio report from Seoul.
The military confrontation on the Korean peninsula is so tense that it may lead to a dangerous crisis.
This is attributable to the South Korean warmongers' war moves which have become more pronounced since the navy command of the Korean People's Army declared the most justifiable and reasonable "order of navigating to and from five islands" as a follow-up measure related to the fixing of the Military Demarcation Line at the West Sea of Korea on March 23. They are now amassing unprecedentedly huge armed forces in the waters, crying "they cannot accept the order but will take a strong counter-measure against it."
The very provocative statement made by Jo Song Thae against this backdrop is little different from an emergency combat order issued to the South Korean army and declaration of a war against the north.
It is the DPRK's firm will and determination to react to the "call for a strong retaliation" with crushing blows.
The South Korean warmongers are well advised to stop their rash acts, mindful that their war against the north will lead them to self-destruction.
Proposal for early repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners supported
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Committee for Promotion of Repatriation of Unconverted Long-Term Prisoners held a press conference in Seoul on Monday and proposed that the organizations in the north, south and abroad related to the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners should hold a joint meeting for their repatriation in Beijing in late April, according to Yonhap News from Seoul.
The organization clarified the stand, noting that it welcomed the proposal made by the DPRK Measure Committee for Rescuing Unconverted Long-Term Prisoners in South Korea holding the joint meeting in a third country within April.
It asserted that the unconverted long-term prisoners should be repatriated unconditionally for the sake of humanitarianism, human rights and reconciliation between the north and south.
U.S. urged to compensate for loss of electricity in DPRK
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- The recent talks held in New York between the DPRK and the U.S. focused on the issue of paying compensation to the DPRK for the loss of electricity owing to the delayed construction of light water reactors (LWRS) which should be provided to the DPRK under the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework.
In this regard Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary says it is the core point of the agreed framework adopted in 1994 that the U.S. is committed to provide LWRS to the DPRK by 2003 in return for its freezing of the nuclear power facilities. This should be implemented as a measure for simultaneous action, the commentary notes, and goes on:
But the LWR project, one of the U.S. commitments, is delayed and expected to be completed in 2007 or later. This is entirely attributable to the U.S. wrongdoings for which it is to blame.
Now that it has become clear the lwr project will not be completed by 2003, the U.S. Has to choose between two options: To complete the LWR by 2003 as it promised in the U.S. president's message of assurance or take a step to compensate for the loss of electricity.
If the issue of compensation for the loss of electricity is not settled, the DPRK will be left with no option but to restart the nuclear power industry of its own style.
Whether the U.S. compensates for the loss of electricity or not is vital to the implementation of the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework.
The DPRK will not remain a passive onlooker if the U.S. fails to take any measure for compensation for the loss of electricity caused by the delay of the LWR construction.
Japan urged to properly approach inter-governmental talks
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- There is a growing tendency in Japan to misinterpret the pending issues between the DPRK and Japan and lead their discussion in a wrong direction, while "people's feelings" and "domestic opposition" are loudmouthed as regards the inter-governmental full-dress talks between the DPRK and Japan slated to take place soon.
In this regard Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article says:
The core of the pending issues between the DPRK and Japan is the latter's sincere apology and compensation for the spiritual, moral, physical and material losses inflicted upon the Korean people by the Japanese and the monstrous crimes committed by them during their occupation of Korea.
Solution of other issues is unthinkable without the settlement of this issue.
The issue of Japan's atonement for the crimes committed against the Korean people in the past remains unsettled.
This can not be construed otherwise than an abnormal thing from the viewpoint of historicism, principles and requirements of the international laws and the reality today when it has become an international trend to redress criminal past, the article says, and goes on:
Japan's redress of its past is a key to untying the historical knot between the DPRK and Japan and improving relations between them. It is not the stand for the improvement of relations to sidestep this issue.
The talks should not be subject to coercion or assertion of one side. They can succeed only when their partners share understanding and views on the pending issues and stand for settling them.
The soon-to-be resumed talks should not take the same course as covered by the past talks.
If the talks are to succeed, they should take up the pending issues as the topic of discussion and other issues which are nothing in common with them.
It is obvious that success or failure of the talks depends on Japan's attitude and stand on the talks. Japan is well advised to bear this in mind and approach the talks from the stand to push them and settle the issues.
S. Korean trade unions to launch wide-spread spring struggle
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) on March 27 decided to launch a spring struggle against the present "government" and undertake its activities in real earnest including a mammoth rally, from April 1, according to a South Korean news report.
The organization defined may general strike as a campaign for condemning the Kim Dae Jung regime and announced that it would go on a strike from next month for the people's right to existence.
To this end, it decided to hold "mass rally 2000" with attendance of workers, peasants and students from 10 regions including Seoul, Taegu and Pusan on April 1 and set three goals of their struggle: "Struggle against neo-liberalism," "defence of people's right to existence" and "protest to Kim Dae Jung 'government'."
An official of the KCTU clarified that they would consider the struggle against the "general election" and the spring struggle as a tribunal set up by the workers and people against the Kim Dae Jung regime and inform them of the anti-social policies pursued by the present regime such as the neo-liberal politics, corruption and irregularities and call a may 31 general strike on this basis.
KCNA warns Japan of militarization and fascistization
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- On March 25 the Japan Defence Agency and National Police Agency reexamined the agreement on the share of role between the "Self-Defence Forces" (SDF) and the police in case of the mobilization for public security, and shared the view that the "SDF", which has so far played a supportive role as far as the counter-measure against "armed guerrillas of North Korea" is concerned, will bear the brunt of the operation against them, according to a report of Yomiuri Shimbun on March 26.
This once again lays bare the bellicose nature of the Japanese reactionaries who have become ever more undisguised in their hostile policy towards the DPRK.
Their latest move to revise the agreement under the pretext of "armed guerrilla infiltration" from the DPRK in a bid to use the "SDF" as a main force for the maintenance of internal "security" suggests that Japan is rushing headlong towards its militarization and fascistization.
The history of the Japanese imperialists' aggression in the 20th century eloquently proves that if the peace-loving people of the world including the Asian people overlook the Japanese reactionaries' moves for war and militarization and fascistization, humankind will meet again tragic disasters.
Another Tangun's statue in S. Korea damaged
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- A statue of Tangun, the ancestral father of the Korean nation, standing on Ulrung Island, South Korea, suffered more damage on March 25, a Seoul-based report said.
This is the second time that the statue got damaged after it was erected in spring last year by the islanders who aspire after the reunification of the country.
A reactionary organization under the mask of religion demanded the Ulrung "county office" remove the statue. It was seriously damaged this time because the authorities took no measure against this.
S. Korean students protest against increase of registration fee
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- Students across South Korea have turned out to protest against the increase of registration fee, a Seoul-based report said.
At least 20 leading members of the General Student Council of Kyonggi University in Seoul occupied the president's office on March 22 and went on a hunger strike.
They said they could not accept the unilateral increase of the registration fee and demanded an immediate return of the money collected through the increase of the registration fee.
They also demanded the authorities provide educational finance to the university.
Some 200 students of Ajou University in Suwon also staged an over-night sit-in at the university on March 23 calling on the students not to pay registration fee and demanding the resignation of the "Minister of Education".
Students of Myongji University in Seoul staged a boycott of classes on the same day.
That day, leading members of the General Student Council of Kyungnam University in Masan, South Kyongsang Province, paid a visit to the "Ministry of Education" to protest against the increase of registration fee.
Check of Japan's preaching of militarism called for
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- a Japanese history book titled "history of the people" recently published by Sankei Shimbun is aimed at training Japanese as fanatic fascists and militarists and using them as cannon fodder for overseas aggression in future.
Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
The book does not deal with a complete history of Japan from its ancient history to its modern history. It is like a collection of papers which deal with relevant historical facts under 34 sub-titles.
It preaches ultranationalism, tampering with its history.
It openly advertise the strength-is-all-powerful logic and dominationism based on the jungle law.
The strength-is-all-powerful logic and dominationism assert, among other things, that Japan's aggression and colonial rule in the past were required by the laws of history.
The book describes Toyotomi's invasion of Korea in the 16th century as a "dispatch of forces", not aggression, asserts that it was prompted by its "plan to build a world state" and justifies it with the nonsensical words of Japan's "expression of awareness of modern times."
It was an intolerable criminal act that Japan ceaselessly invaded Korea in the past and finally occupied it by a brigandish method.
Japan's imprudent assertion that it committed crimes to meet the requirements of the law of history is just like a homicidal robber insisting that what he has done was required by the law governing the human survival.
This logic and dominationism also advocate that there is no need for Japan to feel guilty about its past crimes but approach everything from a stand of the strong.
The book says one must neither feel guilty about what happened in the past as an inevitable requirement of history nor apologize for it but remain calm. This means that the monstrous crimes committed by the Japanese in the past were necessitated by the law of history and accordingly, Japan is not to blame for them and there is no need for it to apologize for them.
The Japanese militarists make a subjective interpretation of all aspects of the history of Japan in their favour, arguing that the objective history is nothing but illusion and history is not a science but made by words. However, this is a day dream. History is not decided by the bellicose outcries of the militarists but exists as a stark objective reality and develops along its own track.
Preparatory committees formed abroad
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- The Jordanian preparatory committee and the joint preparatory committee of Yugoslav political parties and organizations were formed in Amman and Belgrade on March 15 and 22 respectively to commemorate Sun's Day, the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung.
Mustafa Jaber, chairman of the Jordanian National Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea, and Stevan Mirkovic, chairman of the "Josip Broz Tito Center" of Yugoslavia, were elected chairmen of the preparatory committees at the inaugural meetings.
The meetings decided to organize multifarious commemoration events.
The presidium of the central committee of the Communist Party of Tajikistan on March 22 adopted a resolution on forming a preparatory committee for commemorating Sun's Day.
Lebanese youth Juche idea study group formed
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- The Lebanese Youth Group for the Study of the Juche Idea was formed in Beirut on Feb. 14.
Samir Diyab, general coordinator of the Democratic Youth Union of Lebanon, at the inaugural meeting said that the immortal Juche idea which was founded by the President Kim Il Sung and has been developed and enriched by the great leader Kim Jong Il is a great guiding idea in the present era which indicates the way of struggle not only for the Lebanese people but for the progressive people the world over.
He said that the basic aim of the group was to study the great Juche idea and learn from the Korean people's spirit and the experience gained by them through their heroic struggle, guided by the idea, so as to contribute to accomplishing the just cause of the Lebanese people.
He was elected chairman of the group at the meeting.
A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted there.