Greetings to Yugoslav President
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a message of greetings to Slobodan Milosevic, President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, on the occasion of its day of constitution.
The message extends warm congratulations to the President, the government and the people of Yugoslavia on its day of constitution.
Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will further expand and develop, it wishes the President and the people of Yugoslavia great success in their efforts for the security, development and territorial integrity of the country.
Reception given on National Day of Poland
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Polish charge d'affaires ad interim Mieczyslaw Dedo hosted a reception at the embassy on April 26 on the occasion of the National Day.
Present on invitation were Ri In Gyu, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri Song Ho, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and officials concerned.
Speeches were made at the reception.
Much ado about "issue of kidnapping" in Japan
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary assails some political figures and media of Japan for making much fuss about the issue of "kidnapping."
The commentary dismisses the Japanese reactionary circles' loudmouthed "issue of kidnapping" in the DPRK as a sort of provocation and challenge to it.
The commentary goes on:
There can never be even a word of "kidnapping" under the Korean socialist system that respects and treasures independence of human beings and human rights more than anything else.
Recalling that Japan, in collusion with the "Intelligence Service" of South Korea, completely twisted the career of the head of the DPRK delegation, its partner at the DPRK-Japan talks, to serve its propaganda purpose, the commentary notes: The issue of "kidnapping" is, in essence, a product of "cooperation" between the Japanese and South Korean authorities.
The ulterior intention of Japan's row over issue of "kidnapping" is to seek its own profit through the DPRK-Japan talks.
If Japan goes on like this, the DPRK will be left with no option but to reconsider its position concerning its relations with Japan.
Japan's double-dealing tactics is harmful to it and will bring it to nowhere.
Japan should clarify its real position.
8th meeting of Pomminryon north headquarters held
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- The 8th meeting of the central committee of the north headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) was held in Pyongyang on April 26.
Present at the meeting were presidium and central committee members of the Pomminryon north headquarters.
The agenda items of the meeting were "on thoroughly carrying out the three-point charter of national reunification in the pro-reunification movement of Pomminryon this year", "on forming the north side's preparatory committee for the 11th pan-national rally, the grand pro-reunification festival in the year 2000" and "on electing presidium and central committee members of the north headquarters of Pomminryon to fill the vacancy".
The meeting reviewed the achievements made in the activities of the Pomminryon north headquarters during the last one year and discussed the issues related to the 11th PNR.
The north side's preparatory committee for the 11th PNR, the grand pro-reunification festival in 2000, was inaugurated at the meeting. The committee consists of five members with vice-chairman An Kyong Ho as its chairman.
The meeting elected presidium and central committee members of the Pomminryon north headquarters to fill the vacancy.
Independence Day of Togo celebrated
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held here yesterday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Togo.
Present there were Kim Chol Sik, first vice-president of the Academy of Social Sciences and chairman of the Korea-Togo Friendship Association, members of the association and working people in the city.
A speech was made and a message of greetings to the Togolese President adopted at the meeting.
36th anniv. of foundation of United Republic of Tanzania marked
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held here yesterday to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the foundation of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Present there were Sung Sang Sop, chairman of the central committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and chairman of the Korea-Tanzania Friendship Association, members of the association and working people in the city.
A speech was made and a message of greetings to the Tanzanian President adopted at the meeting.
Friendly meeting on Independence Day of Syria
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting was held at Korea-Syria friendship Pyongyang Junghwa senior middle school yesterday on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the independence of Syria.
Invited to the meeting were Syrian charge d'affaires ad interim Haissam Saad, officials of the Syrian embassy, Syrian students studying in Korea and members of the delegation of the Syrian Arab-Korea Friendship Association on a visit to Korea.
Present there were officials concerned and teachers and students of the school.
The participants looked round educational facilities of the school and enjoyed an art performance given by students.
They conversed with each other, deepening friendly feelings.
Before the meeting the Syrian guests planted souvenir trees in the campus.
Independence Day of Togo marked
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today dedicates a signed article to the 40th anniversary of the independence of Togo.
The independence of Togo (April 27, 1960) was a historic event which opened a broad road for the Togolese people to build a new life, the article notes, and goes on:
The Togolese people have achieved big successes in their efforts to consolidate the country's independence and develop the national economy and national culture for 40 years after the independence.
The Togolese people are now making efforts to promote national unity and reconciliation and develop the national economy on the basis of their achievements.
Togo is developing the friendly and cooperative relations with different countries, pursuing non-aligned policy externally.
The Korean people value the friendly relations with the Togolese people and will make positive efforts to develop it still further in the future.
The Korean people wish the Togolese people greater success in their efforts to build a new life.
U.S. preparations for biological and chemical war assailed
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- The U.S.'s preparations for a biological and chemical war have recently entered a dangerous phase, observes Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary.
It goes on:
The U.S. is getting frantic in their preparations for a biological and chemical war against the DPRK over its non-existent "threat of biological and chemical attack."
They organized four chemical units of the U.S. Army under the 2nd division of the U.S. forces and their 19th theatre supporting command stationed in South Korea, inoculated their soldiers in South Korea with anti-anthrax vaccine and distributed gas masks to the U.S. Troops and families of the U.S. embassy officials.
This has touched off a high degree of vigilance among the people at home and abroad as this was something unprecedented in the history of the U.S. Forces present overseas.
These reckless moves are intended to ignite a new war in Korea and inflict not only nuclear disaster but biological and chemical disasters upon the Korean people, the commentary notes, and goes on:
The U.S. Is the world's biggest possessor of biological and chemical weapons. Its forces are armed with chemical bombs of about 90 types.
It has stockpiled at least three million chemical shells.
Yet, it is so clamorous about the DPRK's non-existent "development of biological and chemical weapons" and "threat" from it. This is a height of folly.
It is quite clear that its row is nothing but a trick to justify and escalate their preparations for a biological and chemical war under this absurd pretext.
These frantic moves of the U.S. only heighten the hatred of the people's army and people of Korea and their determination to take revenge upon the enemy and compel them to make every preparation for counterattack.
The U.S. is well advised to stop the reckless moves for a biological and chemical war at once.
Japanese television for chiming in with Ishihara's outbursts
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Tokyo metropolitan governor Ishihara was recently interviewed by Soichiro Tahara of the Japanese Asahi TV.
In this program emcee Tahara chimed in with Ishihara's reckless remark about Sangokujin in Japanese (nationals of a third country) and let loose an endless string of rubbish that Sangokujin is not "a phraseology of racial discrimination," absurdly asserting that the Koreans have badly behaved in the Japanese society since the end of the war.
Tahara's outbursts are intolerable and can never escape from condemnation from the Korean and other peoples of Asia as they came at a time when the domestic and foreign public is becoming more critical of Ishihara's reckless remarks.
Tahara can never be called a mediamen representing justice. He is nothing but a devoted dog and agent tricked into the scheme of Ishihara, an ultra-nationalist and a national chauvinist.
These outbursts let loose by Tahara in the TV program go to prove that the ultra right-wing reactionary forces do not remain simply potential but remain overtly active and control even some media and ultra-nationalist tendency prevails in the society.
Tahara, an ultra-nationalist under the guise of "mediamen," is nothing but a remnant of the right-wing forces keen to benumb people's awareness of history and call back the departed soul of the militarists.
It is by no means fortuitous that Ishihara and Tahara are openly inciting hostility against the DPRK at a time when the DPRK-Japan intergovernmental full-dress talks are under way.
This deliberate anti-DPRK diatribe kicked up by the Japanese ultra right reactionary forces cannot be construed otherwise than an undesirable action to put a brake on the intergovernmental talks.
We can never remain a passive onlooker to an endless string of reckless remarks going against the trend of the history let loose by Tokyo.
Tahara should make a formal apology for his outbursts.
Otherwise, he is bound to face a stern judgement by the unbiased public.
Daewoo motor trade union goes on strike again
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- The Daewoo Motor Co. Ltd., trade union called an overall strike again on April 25, a Seoul-based radio reported.
At least 1,000 unionists, enraged at the authorities' arrest of trade union cadres, held a rally inside the factory in Puphyong district, Inchon city, and demanded their release, protesting against the authorities' suppression.
At the dawn of the day the authorities sent police to mount a surprise attack on the office of the trade union and walk away at least 20 unionists, including union leaders.
Friendship gathering
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- A friendship gathering was held in Pyongyang yesterday to mark the 15th anniversary of formation of the Korea-Switzerland Friendship Association.
Invited to the gathering were Dominique Dreyer, Swiss ambassador to Korea, embassy official and Rudolf F. Fankhauser, resident coordinator of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Present there were Hong Son Ok, vice-chairperson of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and chairperson of the Korea-Switzerland Friendship Association, and members of the association.
The participants conversed with each other about the activities of the association and the issues of further strengthening friendly relations between the two peoples.
They appreciated an art performance given by schoolchildren, deepening the feelings of friendship.
Three-point charter of Korea's reunification supported in Congo
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Meetings were held by the Congolese Socialist Party and the Congolese Committee for Supporting the Proposal for Founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo to support the three-point charter of Korea's reunification on the occasion of Sun's Day.
Referring to the contents and justness of the three-point charter of national reunification set forth by the President Kim Il Sung and formulated by General Secretary Kim Jong Il, speakers expressed the belief that the reunification of Korea will surely be achieved according to the charter.
A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting held by the Congolese socialist party.
Letter to UN Secretary General
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Rakotomandimby Selestine, national chairperson of the Socialist Progressive Party of Madagascar, sent a letter to the UN Secretary General on April 14 as regards the situation prevailing on the Korean peninsula.
The letter said that the progressive forces of the world should extend full support and solidarity to the Korean people in their struggle for socialism and national reunification.
The UN should take substantial measures for guaranteeing peace and security on the Korean peninsula, the letter said. It held that the reunification of Korea should be achieved on the basis of the three-point charter of national reunification.
The letter confirmed unconditional support to the proposal for the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea and demanded that the UN settle its disgraceful past related to the Korean war and take a measure substantially helpful to the reunification of Korea.
Japan urged to own its responsibility
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- The DPRK side proposed for the first time the issue of compensation for Korean cultural treasures as one of main agenda items at the 9th intergovernmental talks between the DPRK and Japan held here in early April.
As regards the issue of cultural treasures, the DPRK side held that Japan should formally apologize for destroying and looting cultural treasures in the past, make adequate material compensation for the destroyed cultural treasures and return all the looted cultural relics.
The Japanese vandalized and took away precious Korean national and cultural treasures in a bid to tamper with and stamp out the 5,000-year-long history and culture of Korea during their illegal occupation of Korea that lasted for over 40 years.
In the early period of its occupation, they cooked up "rules" and "ordinances," etc. for the "preservation" of historical monuments and relics which provided for their open and legal looting of Korean cultural relics.
Tombs of Korean kings listed as world treasures were indiscriminately dug out by them.
In a few years from 1904, they dug out about 2,000 ancient tombs, including the tomb of a king of Koryo in Kaesong, on Kanghwa Islet and in Haeju and other areas to rob them of famous Koryo celadons and gilt bronze crowns, necklaces, earrings and other treasures.
At least 1,400 ancient tombs along the river taedong were dug out to loot their treasures in 10 years.
They took away under the name of "study" some 42,020 cultural relics to be displayed in the "competitive exhibition to mark the fifth anniversary of administration" in 1915.
The looted treasures such as gold crown, various personal ornaments Koryo inlaid celadon, bronze mirror, Buddhist figures, etc. were exhibited in the Ueno museum in Tokyo and Japan advertised them before the world as "Japan's national treasures."
The Japanese burnt at least 200,000 volumes of ancient books and took away the true records of the ri dynasty, which comprise some 1,800 books, and tens of thousands of other books listed as national treasure.
Terauchi, the first governor-general of Korea, completely destroyed "Kyungbok-goong Palace" with 4,000 odd rooms, cultural treasure belonging to the period of the Ri dynasty, under the pretext of building premises of the "government-general."
He looted more than 600 cultural relics to put them on display in his house.
A Japanese antique dealer named Nakada rose to a millionaire by specializing in the collection of Koryo celadons from Korea and sale of them to Japan for over 40 years.
Komiya, former senior official of the royal government of the Ri dynasty, was one of those who became millionaires by dealing in antiques of Korea.
A lot of Korean historical relics fell into the hands of individuals as special "gifts" and "private treasures."
The Japanese destruction and plunder of Korean cultural relics were robberies unprecedented in the history in view of the period and methods of pillage and the quantity of those looted and the manner in which they were kept and handled.
The Japanese government should fulfil its state responsibility for its obliteration of Korean culture as it was perpetrated by imperial Japan as its state policy.
Brisk restoration and preservation of cultural relics in Korea
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- April is a "month of protection of cultural relics" every year in Korea.
This month working people in different parts of the country are actively pushing ahead with the work to restore and reconstruct or preserve cultural relics in their original state.
According to information available at the bureau for management and preservation of cultural relics under the Ministry of Culture, many buildings, hanging boards, monuments, tombstones, forts and graves at historical sites such as Ulmil pavilion and Chilsong gate in Pyongyang, Paeksang pavilion in Anju, Onmu pavilion in Nyongbyon and walled town of Jongju were painted, repaired and renovated in a way best suited to seasonal features.
In South Hwanghae Province, the restoration of Samsong temple on Mt. Kuwol is nearing completion.
Samsong temple is an ancient temple where people held memorial services for the three saints, that is Tangun and his grandfather and father.
The temple consists of 6 buildings.
They boast of peculiar Korean national architecture.
Restoration is also under way on the principle of historicism at Ryongthong temple in Kaesong.
This temple is directly associated with renowned Korean Buddhist Uichon (1055-1101).
The temple is divided into a main temple, graves in the northeastern portion and the northwestern building area.
Scores of buildings are now under construction there in ancient temple style architecture.
A lot of historical relics such as King Tangun's mausoleum, King Tongmyong's mausoleum, King Wang Kon's mausoleum, Pohyon Temple on Mt. Myohyang, Kwangbop Temple on Mt. Taesong, Songbul temple on Mt. Jongbang, Inphung pavilion in Kanggye and Thonggun pavilion of Uiju took on their original appearance thanks to the policy of the Worker's Party of Korea on preserving national cultural heritages.
The Korean Central History Museum, history museums in all provinces of the country and the Korean Folklore Museum, etc. were built splendidly to convey the resourcefulness and patriotic soul of the nation to generations to come.
DPRK closely watches Japan's attitude
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today in a signed commentary urges the Japanese authorities to bar right-wing reactionaries including Ishihara from making an outright challenge to the process to improve its relations with the DPRK and ensure peace and security.
The commentary says:
The Tokyo metropolitan governor asserted that his remarks on "Sangokujin" (nationals of a third country) were misrepresented by Japanese media in a bid to get out of the predicament into which he was thrown by his recent outbursts. It is nothing but a trite trick to calm down the world's daily mounting protest and condemnation of him and shirk the responsibility for the evil consequences entailed by them.
It is a sheer lie that Ishihara's "intention" was misrepresented by media.
His view and intention can never be misinterpreted by Japanese media in view of both his career and present attitude.
To tell the truth, Ishihara's idea and feelings as an ultra-nationalist and chauvinist were accurately represented and brought to light as they were.
The Japanese authorities should own due responsibility for the challenge made by such an imbecile as Ishihara to the process to improve its relations with the DPRK and ensure peace and security, and take measures to prevent such ultra right reactionaries from raising their heads again.
The DPRK will closely watch the Japanese authorities' attitude towards the ultra right reactionaries.
2nd preparatory contact for inter-Korean summit
Panmunjom, April 27 (KCNA) -- The second preparatory contact for discussion on working procedural matters related to the historic north-south Pyongyang meeting and summit talks was held at the Thongil pavilion in the north side's portion of Panmunjom this morning.
At the contact the head of the north side laid a particular stress on the need to adopt working procedures for the Pyongyang meeting and summit talks in such a way as to make the meeting and talks arranged with so much effort produce good results, bring all the fellow countrymen a bright hope and fresh confidence in national reunification and meet the requirements of the April 8 north-south agreement. Then he set forth the north side's draft working procedures.
Calling attention to the fact that the draft tallies with the character and mission of the soon-to-be-held meeting and talks and realistic requirements of inter-Korean relations and it took into full consideration the proposal made by the south side at the first contact, he expressed expectation that the south side would agree to it.
Both side had sincere discussions on working procedural matters related to the Pyongyang meeting and summit talks.
They agreed to discuss well and reach a consensus of views on the working procedural matters at the next contact.
They agreed to have the third preparatory contact in the south side's portion of Panmunjom at 10 a.m. on May 3.
African nations' efforts for integration and cooperation hailed
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry answered a question put by KCNA today as regards the brisk movement for continental integration and regional cooperation in Africa.
He said:
African nations are now discussing such issues as the political integration of the continent and the strengthening of regional cooperation. And steps for their implementation are being put into practice.
This is an effective way of developing and utilizing natural resources abundant in the continent and achieving the common development and prosperity by the concerted efforts of the African countries.
However, some forces dislike such efforts of the African nations. They show a negative attitude towards the Africans' movement for the continental integration and regional cooperation, arguing that democratization should be made before anything else and that conflicts in some individual countries might spread all over the continent when borders are opened through the integration and cooperation.
Those forces regard the independent call and aspiration of the African nations to develop the economy by the efforts and resources of the continent as an obstacle to the establishment of their domination over the continent and looting of its resources.
The DPRK will invariably support the African countries' just struggle to achieve the continental and regional progress by their concerted efforts.