KCNA delegation leaves for Moscow
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- A Korean Central News Agency Delegation headed by deputy general director Han Song Bok left here today to participate in the 11th Oana general assembly to be held in Moscow.
It was seen off by deputy general director Ro Chang Dok at Pyongyang railway station.
Foreign guests arrive
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- Jose Francisco Aguilar Bulgarelli, vice-director general of the International Institute of the Juche Idea (IIJI) and chairman of the Latin American Institute of the Juche Idea, and his party, Milton Anibal Burbano Borquez, director of the board of the IIJI and vice-chairman of the Latin American Institute of the Juche Idea, arrived here today to attend the 15th meeting of the board of directors of the IIJI.
They were met at the airport by Kim Yong Il, vice-chairman of the Korean Social Scientists Association, and other officials concerned.
Jang Chol meets Chinese government cultural delegation
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- Jang Chol, chairman of the organizing committee of the 18th April Spring Friendship Art Festival, met and had a talk with the Chinese government cultural delegation led by Zhang Wenbin, director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there were vice-chairman Kim Yong Sin of the committee and Wang Guozhang, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK.
The head of the delegation said that the Sino-Korean friendship was provided by chairman Mao Zedong, premier Zhou Enlai and other Chinese revolutionaries of the old generation and the great leader Kim Il Sung of the Korean people, and the Chinese people greatly value this friendship.
Noting that there has been great progress in the cultural exchange between the two peoples, he said that bilateral cooperation would become closer in the days ahead.
He expressed his firm belief that the Korean people would achieve greater success in socialist construction under the wise leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Indonesian government cultural delegation here
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- An Indonesian government cultural delegation led by Hidayat Djailani, Minister of State for Tourism and Art, arrived here today to participate in the 18th April Spring Friendship Art Festival.
It was met at the airport by Kim Yong Sin, vice-chairman of the festival organizing committee, and Buchari Effendi, Indonesian ambassador to the DPRK.
Japanese government delegation leaves
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- The Japanese government delegation led by Kojiro Takano, ambassador of the Japanese Foreign Ministry for negotiations on the establishment of diplomatic ties between Japan and the DPRK, left for home today after participating in the ninth intergovernmental full-dress talks between the DPRK and Japan.
Also leaving were reporters of leading media of Japan accompanying the delegation.
The delegation was seen off at the airport by Jong Thae Hwa, roving ambassador of the DPRK Foreign Ministry who was leading a DPRK government delegation to the talks, and officials concerned.
National meeting to mark Kim Jong Il's election as NDC chairman
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- A national meeting took place at the 6,000-seat theatre of the April 25 House of Culture today to mark the 7th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission (April 9).
Attending the meeting together with working people in the city and officers and men of the Korean People's Army were Jo Myong Rok, Hong Song Nam, and other senior party, state and army officials.
Jon Pyong ho, politburo member and secretary of the Worker's Party of Korea Central Committee, made a report.
The reporter said:
Seven years ago, the respected Kim Jong Il was elected chairman of the National Defence Commission, which represented the desire and full support from all the people and officers and men of the people's army. The election was a historic event of weighty importance in increasing the nation's defense capabilities and accomplishing the cause of army building.
Kim Jong Il set forth the idea that national defense is immediately the lifeline of the revolution and the destiny of the country and victory of socialism are guaranteed by arms and a unique idea that the army precisely means the party, the state and the people. He put forward national defense-first politics and army-first politics as the basic mode of state politics and set a brilliant example of army-first leadership.
Today all the officers and men of the KPA, entertaining unquestioned worship for their leader, are devotedly defending the headquarters of the revolution led by Kim Jong Il and fully preparing themselves to be the first line guards and the first line death-defying corps who unfailingly carry out his orders and instructions through thick and thin.
It is under his distinguished army-first revolutionary leadership that the defense line of the country has been consolidated as strong as an iron wall, the monolithic unity of the revolutionary ranks strengthened as firm as a rock and a breakthrough made in socialist economic construction.
The Korean people and army have won one victory after another in the fierce confrontation with the imperialists and brought a new leap forward and progress in socialist construction. This historic miracle is a resounding victory of the army-first politics of the WPK and the precious fruition of his outstanding and seasoned guidance.
The U.S. and their followers intensify as never before their vicious campaign to stifle the DPRK, a resolute defender of the socialist banner.
No force on earth can be a match for the revolutionary armed forces that have grown under the guidance of the three commanders of Mt. Paektu and there is no limit to their striking power.
If the imperialist aggressors dare to trespass on the inviolable land, sky and seas of the country even 0.001 mm, the KPA will annihilate the enemies and blow up their bulwark with merciless strikes and accomplish the historic cause of national reunification through a just war.
10-day film show opens
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- A ten-day film show has opened to commemorate Sun's Day, the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung.
During the film show from April 7 to 16 all cinema houses across the country will screen documentary and feature films showing the brilliant revolutionary life and activities of the President including documentary film "the Leader Is the Great Father of Our People" and feature films "Star of Korea" and "the Sun of the Nation."
Also to be screened are documentary films showing the noble traits of General Secretary Kim Jong Il and giving a firm conviction that led by him, the Korean people is sure to win.
A national opening ceremony was held in Pyongyang yesterday and opening ceremonies took place in all provinces.
Seminar on President Kim Il Sung's greatness
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- A seminar on the greatness of the President Kim Il Sung was held by the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces at the April 25 House of Culture on April 7 in the run-up to Sun's Day, his birth anniversary.
Those present at the seminar included director Jo Myong Rok of the general political department of the Korean People's Army, chief Kim Yong Chun of the KPA general staff and Minister Kim Il Chol of the People's Armed Forces.
It was stressed at the seminar that the President is a great sage of revolution who is always alive in the hearts of all people as the greatest man in the world and a great brilliant commander who set a brilliant example in the building of revolutionary armed forces of Juche type.
The speakers recalled that the President developed the people's army into a matchless modern army capable of defeating any formidable enemy.
He covered 224,868 kilometers on on-the-spot guidance to indicate ways of increasing military power and give servicepersons resourcefulness and courage to become a match for a hundred foes, they noted.
They called upon all the officers and men of the people's army to defend and exalt the undying feats of the President down through generations and perform their noble mission and duty as befit the pillar and main force of the revolution, true to the army-first revolutionary leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
15th IIJI board meeting to be held in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- The 15th meeting of the board of directors of the International Institute of the Juche Idea (IIJI) will be held in Pyongyang to commemorate Sun's Day.
It will review the activities of the board after the 14th meeting and discuss the issues of carrying on the propagation of the Juche idea on a new basis in the 2000s and enhancing the role of the IIJI.
18th art festival to open in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- The 18th April Spring Friendship Art Festival will open in Pyongyang on April 10.
The capital is wrapped in a festive mood with the day of the festival at hand.
Seen at theatres, streets and public grounds are festival posters and signboards introducing art troupes participating in the festival.
The festival has been traditionally held in April from Juche 71 (1982) to commemorate Sun's Day, the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung (April 15). It is the 18th festival this year.
The festival has been held in the idea of independence, peace and friendship amidst the deep expectation and concern of the Korean people as well as the progressive people and men of culture and art around the world.
Kim Il Sung appreciated scores of joint performances of the art festival and had photos taken with performers.
The total number of art troupes that have participated in the Pyongyang festival so far reached over 1,080 and that of countries over 710.
And the total number of participants is more than 9,460 including over 1,190 national and international contest winners and famous artistes.
Foreign artistes and overseas. Korean artistes created more than 180 pieces of art works for the festival and ardently sang songs in praise of the President who performed immortal exploits in accomplishing the human cause of independence.
The current festival will be participated in by more than 80 art organizations from over 40 countries.
Among them are the Chinese Tungfang song and dance ensemble which won fame for its performances in scores of countries, the nearly 60-year-old navy ensemble of the Ministry of Defence of Russia and the Mongolian Art Troupes consisting of famous artistes selected at the national art contests and artistes of the military band.
According to the plan of the performance section of the festival organizing committee, performances will be divided into eight groups and given at the Mansudae Art Theatre, the Pyongyang Grand Theatre, the central youth hall and five other theatres and houses.
A group prize, special prize, diploma, prize money and specified prizes will be awarded to best troupes and individuals.
Pyongyang festival is featuring itself year by year as a traditional festival of praising the sun and a world-famous festival.
Egyptian ambassador gives reception
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- The Egyptian ambassador to the DPRK, Mahmoud Mohamed Farag Zain, gave a reception at the embassy on April 7 in the run-up to Sun's Day, the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung.
The ambassador, addressing the reception, said the President is a great leader who, with his firm faith and will, led the Korean people to develop the DPRK into a powerful socialist country.
The friendly and cooperative relations between Egypt and the DPRK are developing with each passing day on the basis of the intimacy forged between President Kim Il Sung and President Mubarak, he said.
President Mubarak and the Egyptian government have sent art troupe to the April spring friendship art festival, a traditional event to commemorate Sun's Day, and decided to dispatch an art troupe this year, too, he noted, adding:
This indicates that all the Egyptian people have deep respect for President Kim Il Sung.
In his reply vice-president Yang Hyong Sop of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK said the friendly relations between the DPRK and Egypt represent the intimacy forged by the great leader Kim Il Sung and the respected President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak and other leaders of Egypt.
The DPRK would work hard to upgrade the friendly and cooperative relations with Egypt, true to the behest of President Kim Il Sung and the lofty intention of the respected leader Kim Jong Il, he added.
Aggressors and provocateurs will be severely punished
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- The central committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth league issued a statement yesterday, assailing the U.S. and South Korean authorities for challenging the "order of navigating to and from five islands" at the West Sea of Korea proclaimed by the navy command of the Korean People's Army as an important measure.
The statement said that the measure of the KPA navy command is a firm guarantee for removing the source of an armed conflict on the west sea and a new war and ensuring peace and security of the country.
The statement vehemently condemned the U.S. and the South Korean authorities for talking about "due punishment" over the fair and aboveboard measure of the DPRK.
It is the steadfast will of the young soldiers to become human torpedoes and bombs in defence of the sacred territory of the country, the statement said, and declared:
If the U.S. and the South Korean authorities violate the "order of navigating to and from five islands" even a bit, the youth and students of the DPRK will become five million human bombs to mete out severe punishment to the aggressors and provocateurs.
U.S. and S. Korean hit for projected joint bio-chemical war drill
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- Some days ago, the U.S. and South Korean warmongers announced a plan to stage a joint exercise in Phyongthaek, Phohang, Pusan, Jinhae and other areas of South Korea in mid-April under the simulated conditions of repelling someone's "bio-chemical attack".
In this regard Minju Joson today says in a signed commentary:
Their loudmouthed "bio-chemical attack" of someone is a sheer lie and a sophism to slander and do harm to the DPRK and justify their bio-chemical war exercise.
It is the U.S. and South Korean warmongers who are hell-bent on the moves to ignite a real bio-chemical war in Korea.
It is an open secret that South Korea has turned into a nuclear and bio-chemical arsenal of the United States. All types of chemical weapons are being massively produced and stockpiled at poisonous gas factories imported from the United States and varieties of bio-chemical shells deployed for real action in the areas south of the Military Demarcation Line.
The warmongers organized chemical units under the U.S. 19th theatre supporting command as part of the preparations for the prompt use of bio-chemical weapons when a new war breaks out in Korea.
We can never pardon the preparations stepped up by them for a bio-chemical warfare under the pretext of the fictitious "bio-chemical attack" of the DPRK.
If they ignite a new war in Korea despite our warning, we will mercilessly punish the enemies and annihilate all of them.
Headquarters for anti-candidate campaign formed in S. Korea
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- The "citizens solidarity for general election" in South Korea set up headquarters in 22 strategic anti-candidate campaign areas of South Korea on April 4 to conduct the campaign in real earnest, said a Seoul-based radio.
The organization said that it would push ahead with street rallies and a signature campaign that are banned by the "central election management commission."
The organization finally defined 86 conservative political figures as unqualified candidates.
The headquarters will command the anti-candidate campaign against them.
Determination to square accounts with U.S. renewed
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- Some days ago, officials of the U.S. State Department described the memorandum of the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued to disclose mass killings of Koreans committed by GIs during the Korean War as something similar to a lot of criticism made by the DPRK against the U.S. and designed to serve the purpose of "propaganda." And the spokesman for the U.S. mission at the UN asserted the DPRK's condemnation of GIs' crimes was "groundless."
In this regard, Minju Joson today in a signed commentary says: This is nothing but sheer sophism intended to evade their responsibility for their crimes committed against the Korean people.
The commentary goes on:
Brutal crimes perpetrated by GIs in Korea are too many to be concealed.
These mass killings of Korean people have been clearly proven by testimonies of former U.S. soldiers who participated in atrocities and a series of declassified documents in the U.S. national archives and the U.S. air force history institute.
GIs' mass killings of Korean people are unpardonable hideous crimes and the U.S. sinister attempt to hide those crimes is an equally grave crime.
Nobody can keep all the crimes committed by Americans against Koreans buried into oblivion.
It is the unshakable will and determination of the people and the people's army of Korea to settle accounts with the U.S. to the last.
Indian national symposium marks Kim Il Sung's birth anniversary
New Delhi, April 6 (KCNA) -- A national symposium of India was held in New Delhi on April 1 to mark the 88th birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung.
The secretary general of the Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea said in his report that Kim Il Sung was a genius of ideology and theory, great master of leadership, benevolent father of the people, great revolutionary and great man with talented wisdom, extraordinary leadership ability and noble communist virtues.
Referring to his immortal revolutionary exploits, the secretary general said:
The President was a great man of the 20th century who founded the immortal Juche idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything, opened a new era of the human cause of independence and performed immortal exploits on behalf of the Korean revolution, the world revolution, times and humankind.
Speakers stressed that progressive people of India and the world are grandly commemorating April 15, his birth anniversary, as a holiday common to humankind because he performed immortal exploits for human liberation.
A message of greetings to General Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted at the symposium.
The message said that the participants paid a high tribute to Kim Il Sung, the eternal President of the DPRK, and extended warm greetings to Kim Jong Il and the Korean people.
The whole life of the President was that of a distinguished leader who made undying contributions to the cause of human liberation under the banner of socialism, the banner of independence against imperialism, and that of a legendary great man who, like the sun, glorified his life with the august name of the sun, it noted.
Convinced again of the truth of the Juche idea founded by the President and developed and enriched by Kim Jong Il, the participants vowed to advance along the road indicated by the Juche idea.
Sun's Day and anniv. of Kim Jong Il's election commemorated abroad
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- Sun's Day, the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung, and the 7th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK were commemorated in different countries.
A seminar was held by the anti-imperialist front of France and a symposium on the subject of "building up defence power of the country" by the Bulgarian Group for the Study of the Juche Idea.
Colorful functions including lectures, photo exhibitions, symposiums, story-telling and volleyball games were held by the Group for the Study of the Juche Idea of Comrade Kim Il Sung, the Group for the Study of Works of Comrade Kim Jong Il and other organizations in Guyana.
A film show and a photo exhibition were held by the air force and army commands of the Guinean Army on the occasion of the 7th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and the 68th anniversary of the foundation of the heroic Korean People's Army.
Meanwhile, Korean film shows were given in Nepal and Sri Lanka and by the Cairo National Film Center of Egypt and the Yangze Tourist Agency of Malaysia on the occasion of Sun's Day.
Preparatory committees formed abroad
Pyongyang, April 8 (KCNA) -- An Equatorial Guinean preparatory committee for commemorating Sun's Day was formed in Malibu on March 29.
Antonio Fernando Nbe Ngu, Equatorial Guinean Minister of State for Parliamentary Relations and Law, was elected chairmen of the preparatory committee.
Meanwhile, a preparatory committee was inaugurated by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia on March 25 to commemorate Sun's Day and the 55th anniversary of the foundation of the Worker's Party of Korea.
Miroslav Stepan, general secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, was elected chairman of the preparatory committee.