A gift to Kim Jong Il from Chinese newspaper office
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from Beijing Ribao Office of China.
The gift was handed to an official concerned by Li Zhenying, deputy editor-in-chief of Beijing Ribao, who is heading its delegation on a visit to Korea.
Three-point charter of Korea's reunification hailed abroad
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Pakistani political party and public organizations joined in the international signature campaign for supporting the three-point charter of Korea's reunification.
The signature paper was inked by Iqbal Ahmed Khan, secretary general of the Pakistan Muslim League (Junejo), in the name of the two million members of the league and Zafar Bakhtawari, chairman of the Pakistan-Korea Friendship Association and chairman of the cultural forum, in the name of the association and the forum.
Simon Pierre, special counselor of the President of Madagascar, took part in the signature campaign.
Death anniversary of Jose Marti commemorated
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- A photo exhibition and a film show were held at Korea-Cuba friendship Moranbong senior middle school no. 1 on Monday on the occasion of the 105th death anniversary of Jose Marti, national hero of the Cuban people.
Cuban ambassador to Korea Jose Manuel Inclan Embade and embassy officials were invited. On hand were teachers and students of the school.
The participants looked round photos exhibited and inspected a room of friendship with Cuba and the Jose Marti class.
Then they saw a Cuban documentary film "Brilliant Soldier" showing the life and activities of Jose Marti.
Repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners urged
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- The Committee for Promotion of Repatriation of Unconverted Long-Term Prisoners, consisting of over 30 civic organizations, demanded unconverted prisoners, who spent 20-40 years in prison, be sent back to their hometowns as early as possible, according to a South Korean newspaper report.
A permanent representative of the committee noted that unconditional repatriation of the unconverted long-term prisoners will mark the beginning of north-south reconciliation and pave the way for reunification, which conforms with the interests of the whole nation, and therefore all of them should be sent back without delay.
A member of the committee who is a researcher of the Asia-Pacific Peace Foundation said that it is entirely right from the viewpoint of humanitarianism and international human rights to repatriate them immediately as they led a prison life for scores of years and they have no families, relatives and friends and they have no one to depend on in South Korea.
Pointing out that the issue of their repatriation should be solved at an early date before the summit talks, the promotion committee declared that it would actively struggle for their repatriation.
KCNA on U.S. air force's bombing
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- As reported, a plane of the U.S. air force in South Korea on May 8 dropped 500-pound bombs called "MK 82" over its firing range in the sea off Maehyang-ri, Hwasong county, Kyonggi Province of South Korea, seriously injuring eleven inhabitants and destroying at least 200 dwelling houses in a village near it.
Following this incident it was verified by the testimony made by a former U.S. pilot that the U.S. troops in South Korea used even depleted uranium shells whose production and use are internationally banned because of its serious radioactive contamination.
These facts go to prove that the U.S. troops are the warmongers keen only on aggression and war, utterly indifferent to the fate and interests of the South Korean people.
This barbarous bombing laid bare the true colors of the U.S. troops in South Korea. This unbearable national insult and humiliation compel the South Korean people to hold higher the banner of the struggle for independence against the U.S.
The U.S. aggressor troops are harassers of peace and stability who pose constant threat to the South Korean people's lives and properties after setting up military bases and firing ranges not only in Maehyang-ri but in all other parts of it.
It is a lesson taught by history that the South Korean people cannot escape disaster and misfortune nor can peace, stability and reunification be realized on the Korean peninsula as long as the U.S. troops are allowed to stay there.
If the U.S. truly wishes peace and stability on the peninsula, it should dismantle its military bases and withdraw its forces from South Korea as demanded by the Korean nation and the world peace-loving peoples.
If the South Korean authorities have even an iota of national conscience, they should stop paying lip-service to "an end to the cold war on the Korean peninsula" but put the withdrawal of the U.S. troops, a prerequisite for the solution of the Korean issue, on top of their agenda.
Misinformation spread by U.S. reptile media refuted
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary slams the U.S. for getting ever more frantic in their moves to cover up their crimes committed during the Korean War.
It says:
In September last year, AP reported that GIs killed at least 400 innocent civilians in Rogun-ri in the early period of the war. This report was followed by the disclosure of some 40 cases of GIs' mass killings of civilians which had been concealed in South Korea. More facts about their atrocities are being brought to light as the days go by.
Despite these hard facts, some U.S. reptile papers and magazines are resorting to despicable moves to falsify the truth of GIs' massacres in Rogun-ri.
This is an unbearable mockery and challenge not only to the Korean nation but to world conscience and an outrageous act of tampering with the history.
These moves do not reflect any private instruction or opinion but the attitude of the government of the United States toward the Rogun-ri massacres.
It is the real intention of the United States to evade its responsibility for the mass killings of Korean by hushing up the cases. In other words, it is not willing to make apology and compensation to the Korean people for its war crimes.
The United States is seriously mistaken.
The Korean nation will certainly force the U.S. to pay for the blood shed by compatriots a thousand times.
Reception given by Yemeni charge d'affaires ad interim
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Awadh Abdullah Ali Mashbah, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Yemeni embassy here, gave a reception at the embassy on Monday on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the unification of Yemen and the foundation of the Republic of Yemen.
Invited to the reception were Kim Yong Dae, vice-president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Pyon Yong Rip, Minister of Education, and officials concerned.
Foreign diplomatic envoys here were also invited to the reception.
Speeches were made at the reception.
Anniversary of Chongryon commemorated
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held at the Korean House of Culture in Tokyo on May 21 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the formation of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon).
Present at the meeting were So Man Sul, first vice-chairman, and Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman, of the central standing committee of Chongryon, and other Chongryon officials and Korean residents in Japan.
So Man Sul said in his report that the last 45 years of Chongryon is a history of the wise leadership and warm loving care of the great leader President Kim Il Sung and the respected leader Kim Jong Il and a history of the patriotic devotion displayed by Chongryon officials and Korean residents in Japan for their leader and their homeland.
He went on:
The compatriots are single-heartedly united with patriotism as Chongryon has well-regulated organizations of all levels, various bodies, educational, economic, cultural and press institutions from its central standing committee to prefectural headquarters, chapters and branches and are vigorously conducting the noble patriotic movement for the nation.
The hearts of the Chongryon officials and Korean residents in Japan are filled with the strong determination to make a new advance in the movement of Korean residents in Japan, upholding the idea and leadership of Kim Jong Il with loyalty, and thus glorify the President's leadership exploits eternally.
Tomiichi Murayama, former Prime Minister and chairman of the dietmen's league for Japan-Korea friendship, the chief director of the Japan-Korea cultural interchange association and the co-representative of "peace boat" made congratulatory speeches.
A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
A May 2000 grand festival of Korean residents in Japan to mark the 45th anniversary of the formation of Chongryon was held in Tokyo on the same day. Performances were given by Pyongyang singers group, a famous magician of Japan and Korean residents in Japan.
Participants in the festival proudly sang of the dignity and honor of having the organization of overseas Koreans of Juche Korea under the wise leadership of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, thus fully demonstrating the united might of the Korean residents in Japan rallied close around Chongryon.
There were a photo exhibition and a students art exhibition showing the 45 years covered by Chongryon.
Concealment of former S. Korean "PM's" huge property revealed
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- It was disclosed that the property of Pak Thae Jun, former "Prime Minister" of South Korea, is valued at 36 billion won, a Seoul-based radio reported. He was forced to resign on May 19 as his tax evasion by way of registering the bulk of his property in other's name sparked a public furore.
New information said that his property officially registered on the "government" paper as "Prime Minister" at the end of February totaled no more than 3.55 billion won but, the tax investigation made by the "office of national tax administration" in 1993, the early period of the "civilian government," put the total value of his property at 36 billion won. This means that he reported and registered only one tenth of his property.
His huge property which consists of immovable, stocks and deposits is concealed by the names of his wife, children and relatives.
Strengthened education in revolutionary traditions called for
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today editorially calls for further strengthening the education in the revolutionary traditions to meet the requirements of the developing realities.
It goes on:
The whole party and army and all the people are dynamically accelerating the general onward movement for building a powerful nation rallied close around the great leader Kim Jong Il. The present situation calls upon the party members and all other working people to strengthen the education in the revolutionary traditions as never before.
This strengthened education is an important requirement for vigorously accelerating the second Chollima advance and a guarantee for achieving a decisive victory in the acute confrontation with the imperialists.
It is thanks to the revolutionary spirit and mettle of Mt. Paektu that our people's army and people always emerge victorious in the confrontation with imperialists. The revolutionary spirit of Mt. Paektu means an unbending spirit in which everyone is ready to become a human bomb and shield and stand like a fortress to defend the headquarters of the revolution and a steadfast revolutionary spirit of winning the battle against the enemy though one may die a thousand times.
The education in the revolutionary traditions is our life and soul and a guarantee for a sure victory in the present confrontation which will decide whether the Korean people remain an independent people or become slaves for the imperialists.
The strengthened education in the revolutionary traditions among the party members and other working people is an important work to demonstrate the unwavering revolutionary stand of our party and people to advance forever under the uplifted red flag of the revolution.
The red flag serves as a lasting banner of faith of our party and people.
It is the unwavering will and determination of the respected Kim Jong Il to eternally defend and carry forward the revolutionary traditions of Mt. Paektu established by President Kim Il Sung and accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche on the basis of these great traditions.
Little calligrapher
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Han Sun Jong, 6, third daughter of a worker in Anju city, South Phyongan Province, had a distinct taste for brushing writing.
As a kindergartner, she began to practice the rudiments of calligraphy under the guidance of her teacher. Her sensitivity aroused, she was absorbed in strokes while others were capering about in play. Her gritty nature and the teachers' delicate help began to yield rewards.
The government decided to tend the budding talent and placed her at the hand of renowned teachers at the Pyongyang Students and Children's Palace. She is now polishing up her skill at the calligraphy group of the palace.
Not long ago she wrote a letter with a brush to leader Kim Jong Il who tagged his praise "very nice."
Japanese PM's remarks agitating militarism flayed
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori at a meeting held in Tokyo on May 15 said:
"Japan is a divine country centering on the emperor. We have been working for 30 years to have people firmly acknowledge that."
Minju Joson today in a signed commentary dismisses the Japanese chief executive's demagogic baloney extolling the "Emperor" system as reckless outbursts intended to lead Japan to militarist expansion overseas again.
The Japanese "Emperor" is a symbol of militarism. It was under the militarism-advocating "Emperor" system that Japan emerged as the enemy of humankind in the first half of the 20th century, inflicting immeasurable misfortune and sufferings upon peoples in Asia and other parts of the world. This is its crime-woven history.
"Kimigayo" praising "Emperor" was declared as the national anthem of Japan and a banner of militarism "Hinomaru", which had fluttered in battlefields for overseas aggression was declared as its national flag.
A serious situation is prevailing in Japan where its constitution much advertised as a "peace one" is feared to be converted into a "war constitution."
There is a material guarantee for Japan's overseas aggression.
The Japanese reactionaries' policy to revive militarism centering on the "Emperor" is reckless one leading Japan to final destruction.
History will never pardon Japan's militarism.
Anniversary of Yemeni unification and republic observed
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today dedicates an article to the 10th anniversary of the unification of Yemen and proclamation of the republic of Yemen.
The proclamation of the unified republic of Yemen 10 years ago was a historic event of weighty significance in the Yemeni people's struggle to achieve uniform development and prosperity of the country, the article says, and goes on:
Since the proclamation of the Republic the Yemeni people have endeavored to strengthen the national unity and build a new independent and prosperous society.
Yemen has channelled primary efforts into developing national economy dependent on its own natural resources and raw materials.
Externally, the Yemeni government has exerted efforts to develop friendly relations with many countries, with its neighboring countries, in particular, on the principle of non-interference in other's internal affairs.
The Korean people believe that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two peoples will as ever grow stronger and develop in the idea of independence, peace and friendship.
The Korean people sincerely wish the Yemeni people greater success in their future efforts to achieve national unity and build a new society, the paper concludes.
Anniversary of occupation of "American cultural service" observed
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- A meeting of youth and students of Pyongyang was held today in front of the monument to the sinking of the U.S. pirate ship "General Sherman" on the bank of the River Taedong on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of South Korean students' occupation of the "American cultural service " in Seoul.
On May 23, 1985, students of various universities, including Seoul National University occupied the "American cultural service" in Seoul, the U.S. center for ideological and cultural aggression, and put up a stubborn struggle, shouting anti-U.S. slogans and holding placards demanding the United States own responsibility for the massacre of civilians in Kwangju and officially apologize for it and stop backing the military dictatorship.
Inspired by this struggle South Korean students made surprise attacks on the U.S. Bank in Pusan in November, the "American cultural service" in Kwangju in December of the same year and the "American cultural service" in Pusan in May of the next year. They took an anti-U.S. action to occupy the U.S. embassy twice in June of the same year.
Ri Il Hwan, first secretary of the central committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, said in his report at the meeting that South Korean students' occupation of the "American cultural service" in Seoul was an anti-U.S. patriotic struggle which powerfully demonstrated the strong desire and indomitable will of the South Korean students and other people to severely punish the U.S. who illegally occupied South Korea and have brought unbearable misfortune and disasters to the South Korean people and retake national dignity and sovereignty from them. This marked an important occasion to intensify and develop the anti-U.S. struggle in South Korea, the reporter added and went on:
Today the powerful struggle of the South Korean students and other people for independence against the U.S. has reached a new higher stage.
Their struggle is not a mere resistance against the crimes of the U.S. troops but is being escalated into a struggle to put an end to the colonial rule of the U.S. and drive their aggression forces out of South Korea. It is gaining in scope and strength to be an anti-U.S. popular resistance.
He extended firm support and encouragement to them in their brave patriotic struggle for national sovereignty and reunification.
Among those present at the meeting were Pyon Yong Rip, Minister of Education, Jo Kyu Il, director of the secretariat of the central committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland, and officials concerned.