Inter-Korean summit held
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The historic inter-Korean summit was held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there on the north side were Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea= Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly= Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly= Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the central committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party= Ryo Won Gu, presidium member of the c.c., the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland= An Kyong Ho, director of the secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland= and other officials concerned.
Present there on the south side were President Kim Dae Jung= Pak Jae Gyu, Unification Minister= Ri Hon Jae, Minister of Finance and Economy= Pak Ji Won, Minister of Culture and Tourism= Rim Tong Won, special aide to the president= and other suite members.
President Kim Yong Nam made an address.
Noting that national reunification was the great President Kim Il Sung's life-long cause, Kim Yong Nam said Kim Il Sung devoted himself to the reunification till the last moments of his life, taking to heart the nation's misfortune resulting from division more than anything else.
He said that warm patriotic desire and will for reunification and the most just ideas of reunification are concentrically reflected in the three-point charter of national reunification, the keynote of which is the three principles of national reunification, the 10-point program of the great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo, which were put forward by the great leader President Kim Il Sung and formulated by the great leader Marshal Kim Jong Il.
The most important issue in solving the problem of national reunification is for the Korean nation to fulfil its responsibility and play its role as the one responsible for national reunification from an independent stand and the successful opening of the inter-Korean summit signifies the demonstration of the will of the Korean nation to solve the issue of reunification by itself.
It is also important for solving the issue of national reunification for the north and south to unite as members of the same nation, not standing in confrontation with each other.
He underscored the need for the north and south to unite, transcending the difference in ideals and systems.
The north proposal to determine the way of national reunification based on the forward-looking and future-oriented confederacy formula and settle all inter-Korean issues carries the noble intention to realise the nation's desire for reunification at an early date at any cost, he noted.
President Kim Dae Jung made an address next.
He expressed his heart-felt thanks to Kim Jong Il, chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, President Kim Yong Nam and all Pyongyang citizens for their warm welcome accorded to him and his entourage.
I didn't expect Kim Jong Il to come to the airport personally and Pyongyang citizens to give such enthusiastic welcome to me, he said, adding these implied how ardent their aspiration for national reunification is and fully convinced everyone that the north and south are one and the same nation.
He continued:
When the south and north of Korea pool their efforts in the new century, it will emerge as the world's leading state and, if not, it will lag behind other nations.
He noted that it is important for the north and south to observe and implement the already agreed principles.
At the summit views were exchanged on a series of matters of mutual concern, including the issues of national reconciliation and unity, exchange and cooperation, peace and reunification.
The summit proceeded in an atmosphere overflowing with compatriotic feelings.
Kim Dae Jung's wife meets her old teacher in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Ri Hui Ho, wife of President Kim Dae Jung, met with her old woman teacher Kim Ji Han, who is residing in central district of Pyongyang, at the People's Palace of Culture today.
They warmly hugged and conversed with each other in a cordial atmosphere.
Kim Ji Han recalled with deep emotion the unforgettable days at Ehwa Girls' High School 60 years ago where she and Ri Hui Ho were in the relationship of teacher and pupil.
She said that she and her family have enjoyed a dignified life since they came to the North Korea right after the liberation of the country and some teachers and her pupils of the school, too, have led a happy life under the care of the DPRK.
Ri Hui Ho was impressed to see her old teacher in good health despite her advanced age and to hear that she has enjoyed a dignified life since she came to the north after leaving her hometown.
Kim Dae Jung visits Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- President Kim Dae Jung and his entourage, staying here for historic Pyongyang meeting and inter-Korean summit, visited the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace Today.
Among the visitors were Unification Minister Pak Jae Gyu, Minister of Finance and Economy Ri Hon Jae, Minister of Culture and Tourism Pak Ji Won and special aide to the president Rim Tong Won.
Accompanying them were President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong Nam, chairman of the c.c., the Korean Social Democratic Party Kim Yong Dae, presidium member of the c.c., the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland Ryo Won Gu, Minister of Education Pyon Yong Rip, Minister of Culture Kang Nung Su and officials concerned.
At the palace the guests were warmly greeted by the first secretary of the central committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, Ri Il Hwan, and leading officials of the palace and schoolchildren.
Children's union members saluted Kim Dae Jung and his wife and presented bunches of flowers to them.
Looking round different circle rooms, the visitors were briefed on the palace operating as a center of extra-mural education for schoolchildren.
Kim Dae Jung and his wife were moved to hear a concert played by accordion circle members of the palace and posed for a picture with them.
Members of the calligraphic and embroidery circles presented them with souvenirs including a calligraphic work "National Reunification".
Kim and his entourage also appreciated a performance given by art circle members of the palace at its theatre.
The audience enthusiastically applauded every piece of the program and the theatre was wrapped in an atmosphere of reunification.
At the end of it, Kim Dae Jung and his wife, together with Kim Yong Nam, mounted the stage and presented a floral basket to the performers, congratulating them on their successful performance, and had a picture taken with them.
Wife of President Kim Dae Jung visits various places of Pyongyang
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Ri Hui Ho, wife of President Kim Dae Jung, today visited the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital, the Pyongyang Embroidery Institute and the Changgwang Kindergarten.
She attentively looked round facilities for women and children and embroideries, being briefed on the popular policies of the DPRK which spares nothing for the promotion of the well-being of the people.
She had a round-table talk with women in Pyongyang in the afternoon.
She was told that women in the DPRK bring their hope and talents into full bloom with equal rights with men and enjoy a happy life.
Suite members of Kim Dae Jung visit different places of Pyongyang
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Ri Hon Jae, Minister of Finance and Economy, Pak Ji Won, Minister of Culture and Tourism, and some other suite members of President Kim Dae Jung visited the Grand People's Study House, the Mansudae Art Studio and Pyongyang metro today.
With deep emotion they looked round art works and monumental edifices, which were built well to suit national character and contemporary aesthetic taste and are effectively serving the purpose of people's entertainment and convenience.
Wreaths to Syrian embassy
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea and the DPRK cabinet sent wreaths to the embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic here on June 12 and 13 to the memory of Syrian President Hafez al Assad who is also general secretary of the Arab Socialist Baath Party and commander-in-chief of the Army and Armed Forces of Syria.
The wreaths were laid before his portrait framed with a black ribbon.
Jo Myong Rok, Hong Song Nam, Choe Thae Bok and other leading officials honored the memory of Hafez al Assad with one minute's solemn silence and made an entry in the mourner's book.
Wreaths were also sent to the embassy by the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the general staff of the Korean People's Army, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign trade, the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, the Bureau of Diplomatic Corps Affairs, the Korea-Syria Friendship Association and friendship organizations to honor the memory of the late Hafez al Assad.
Meanwhile, foreign diplomatic envoys, embassy officials and representatives of international organizations here visited the Syrian embassy on June 12 and 13 and expressed condolences over his demise.
U.S. moves to establish "NMD" under fire
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary assails the United States for letting loose anti-DPRK sophism to justify its moves to establish "National Missile Defence" system.
The "NMD" is, in fact, not to cope with "missile threat" from someone but chiefly aimed to have a military edge over other big powers, the commentary notes, and goes on:
The "NMD" is a dangerous move to upset the international strategic balance and spark a world arms race.
That is why it is protested and censured worldwide.
It is meeting a strong rebuff particularly from Russia, its major nuclear and missile rival.
The U.S. is, therefore, seeking a pretext to woo Russia.
And that is "missile threat" from the DPRK.
It asserts that as "North Korea's ballistic missiles pose threat to the Americans and its mainland" there should be a modification of the Russia-U.S. "ABM treaty" and there is the need to establish its "missile defence" system.
It is a trite method for the U.S. to pull up and sacrifice a small country in a bid to draw water to its mill by pleasing big countries. No one will lend an ear to its sophism.
It is seriously mistaken if it thinks it can justify its moves with anti-DPRK sophism. The U.S. is well advised to ponder over the consequences to be entailed by its moves.
Countries concerned are requested to see through the U.S. true intention of taking issue with the DPRK's "missile threat" and take a vigilant approach to it.
DPRK's independent policy supported
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- President Putin's Pyongyang visit will mark an event in the history of the two countries, said major Russian TVs including NTV, RTR and ort on June 9 in their programs on the revolutionary activities of the great leader Kim Jong Il.
NTV, giving an account of a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov, said:
Asked what was the purpose of Putin's Pyongyang visit, the Foreign Minister answered that Russia and the DPRK are the closest neighbors and have long-standing friendship and it is quite natural for the head of state to visit his friendly country. And he said that during the Pyongyang visit Putin would discuss a package of issues of developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, including cooperation in the economic field.
Asked if President Putin during his visit to Pyongyang would persuade the DPRK to abandon its missile development, he answered that such a thing will not happen as Russia respects the DPRK's independent policy and the DPRK's missile development belongs to its independent domestic policy, NTV reported.
"RIMPAC 2000" aimed at 2nd Korean war
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The nearly one month-long "RIMPAC 2000," a U.S.-led large-scale multilateral joint military exercise, started on May 30 in waters around Hawaii and is now at its height.
This joint maneuver is targeted against the DPRK.
This is the first "RIMPAC" joint military exercise since last year's adoption and effectuation of the "emergency legislation" of Japan to implement the updated "U.S.-Japan Defence Cooperation Guidelines", an anti-DPRK war document.
Involved in the drill are about 2,000 troops and 8 warships of the Maritime "Self-Defence Force" and through this the U.S.-Japan collusion is being further strengthened for a war against the DPRK.
"RIMPAC 2000" is a premeditated military action of the United States to ignite the second Korean war of aggression by hurling huge multi-national forces, including Japan's "SDF," into the Korean peninsula as it did in the past Korean War under the pretext of "dealing with regional disputes".
The drill to "rescue refugees" envisaged in the maneuver is to serve the U.S. purpose of inventing a pretext to hurl multi-national forces into the Korean peninsula and rounding off its war preparations.
The commander of the U.S. Navy's pacific fleet at a press briefing conference on June 6 asserted that "RIMPAC 2000" has contributed to peace and prosperity in the far east, thus disclosing the U.S. intention to intensify such multi-national war exercise in the future.
U.S. starts armed invasion of DPRK
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The U.S. instigated the "ROK Army" to start a surprise armed invasion of the North Korea on June 25, 1950. They started a general attack from all areas along the 38th parallel at 4 a.m. one hour earlier than scheduled. It was commanded by the U.S. military advisory group.
The New York Times June 26 said that that morning the "ROK Army" advanced towards the north to occupy Haeju, adding it was one mile north of the boundary. That morning radio Seoul broadcast that the 17th regiment in Ongjin area occupied Haeju and some of the main units of the "ROK Army" were advancing as far as the point 20 km from the 38th parallel.
No sooner had the "ROK Army" crossed the 38th parallel than the United States swiftly hurled its forces that had been on standby into the Korean War.
On the first day of the war the flying corps of the U.S. Air Force started military actions against the Korean People's Army and, from the next day, indiscriminately bombed the areas of the northern half of Korea. On the same day the U.S. 7th fleet, too, started its military operation in waters off Korea.
The U.S. book "Modern History of America" said that the North Korean army retreated 2-3 km in face of a surprise attack by the South Korean army before making a counter-attack. The counter-attack of the North Korean army badly crippled the South Korean army for which a huge amount of fund was spent, it added.
S. Korean unionists and students hold rally
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Over 4,000 unionists under the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and students held a rally at Jongmyo Park on June 10, urging the authorities to drop policies of neo-liberalism, according to a radio report from Seoul.
The ralliers held that attempt to sell automobile industry to a foreign country, which will bring the South Korean manufacturing industry to bankruptcy, should be stopped and that the "government" should take a measure to change the status of part-timers to full-time workers.
Legal action against those responsible for violence towards women called for
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) - The head of the DPRK delegation who is DPRK permanent representative at the United Nations made a speech at the special UN General Assembly session on women on June 8.
He said that the equal rights of women with men which are clearly stipulated by law in the DPRK are fully guaranteed by the state and social measures taken to implement the benevolent politics adopted by the great leader President Kim Il Sung and enforced by the great leader Kim Jong Il.
Noting that the DPRK is attaching special importance to the settlement of the violence towards women posing itself as an important issue worldwide in recent years, he said:
Violence towards women has become all the more pronounced at present, far from being abated. This is chiefly attributable to the political aim to use the women issue in achieving a wrong purpose.
Japan took away many Asian and European women including nearly 200,000 Korean women to reduce them to "comfort women for the army." This is a universally known historical fact.
A correct solution of this problem is an important international issue in the settlement of the women issue and an apology and compensation is a prerequisite for its settlement.
Deserved attention should be paid to such unceasing outrages in Japan where hooligans are tearing long skirts of Korean women to pieces and they are exposed to insult and assault prompted by national chauvinism.
GIs' violence towards women in South Korea such as rape, murder and insult should be immediately halted.
He called on the session to direct particular attention to the steps to brand violence towards women as a crime without exception, take a legal action against those responsible for it and force them to pay mental and material compensation to the victims of all sorts of insult and violence.
Inter-Korean summit supported
Tokyo, June 12 (KNS-KCNA) -- A rally of Korean youth and students in Tokyo was held on June 10 to support the opening of historic north-south summit.
The rally was co-sponsored by the Tokyo metropolitan headquarters of the Korean Youth League in Japan (Jochong) and the Tokyo headquarters of the South Korean Youth League in Japan (Hanchongdong).
Chairman of the Tokyo metropolitan headquarters of Jochong Kang Myong Su and chairman of the Tokyo headquarters of Hanchongdong Kim Chol Su made speeches at the rally expressing full support to the opening of the north-south summit.
They called for waging an active joint struggle until August 15 in the spirit of the three principles of national reunification--independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity--and thus contributing to the cause of national reunification.
There a report was made, which was followed by speeches of representatives of the two organizations.
A joint declaration was adopted at the rally.
The declaration said they would conduct activities of propaganda about historic inter-Korean summit to call forth the strong spirit for reunification and extend full support to the South Korean youth and students in their struggle for total withdrawal of the U.S. troops and repeal of the "Security Law."
It called for uniting wide-ranging Korean youths in Japan under the banner of the three principles of national reunification and brilliantly exalting the August 15 grand pro-reunification festival.
Korea's reunification supported
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The Latin American and Caribbean Regional Committee to Support the Reunification of Korea and 15 political parties and organizations of Peru including the Communist Party of Peru (Red Motherland) and the Revolutionary Socialist Party of Peru on June 6 released a joint statement supporting the memorandum issued by the DPRK government disclosing the U.S. moves to falsify the truth of history on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War.
Branding once again the U.S. as the provoker of the Korean War and aggressor before history and humankind, the statement in the name of the peace-loving and justice-upholding humankind strongly demanded the U.S. government and military authorities admit and apologize for the crime.
The statement also urged the U.S. government to immediately withdraw its troops, disturber of peace on the Korean peninsula and the root cause of new war threat, from South Korea.
It fully supported and highly appreciated the proposals and consistent efforts of the Worker's Party of Korea and the DPRK government for a lasting peace and the independent and peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula.
The statement called upon the governments, political parties, organizations and individual figures of all the countries around the world and international organizations which value peace and justice to more vigorously turn out in the international solidarity movement for a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula and the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.