North side's delegation to inter-Korean ministerial talks leaves
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- The north side's delegation headed by Jon Kum Jin, senior councilor of the cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, left here today by air to attend the first north-south ministerial talks to be held in Seoul.
The delegation was seen off at the airport by Kang Nung Su, Minister of Culture, An Kyong Ho, director of the secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, and other officials concerned.
DPRK-U.S. ministerial contact held
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister of the DPRK Paek Nam Sun met with U.S. State Secretary Madeleine Albright and discussed with her about issues related to the bilateral relations between the DPRK and the United States in Bangkok on July 28.
Both sides had sincere discussions on the ways of opening and expanding the DPRK-U.S. relations.
They shared the view that the recent situation prevailing in the Korean peninsula is creating an atmosphere favourable for the improvement of the DPRK-U.S. relations and the preservation of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
They agreed to continue to work for improved DPRK-U.S. relations.
Joint communique on meeting of DPRK and New Zealand foreign ministers
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister of the DPRK Paek Nam Sun and his New Zealand counterpart Phil Goff met in Bangkok on July 28 on the sidelines of the 7th ASEAN regional forum meeting and exchanged opinions on the development of the relations between the two countries and international issues.
They shared the view that for the two countries to establish official state relations tallies with the international trend of reconciliation and cooperation and is beneficial to regional peace, security and prosperity. They agreed to have working-level negotiations between the foreign ministries for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as soon as possible.
They agreed to positively develop the bilateral relations and continue dialogue and cooperation in regional and international arena.
Thai PM welcomes DPRK's admission to ASEAN regional forum
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai welcomed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's admission to the ASEAN regional forum. This will be the first important step in developing the relations between the DPRK and member nations of the forum, he said on Wednesday when he met with DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun who paid a courtesy call on him.
Leekpai said that the relations between the democratic party of Thailand and the Worker's Party of Korea have developed on good terms and will continue developing favourably in the future, too.
Wholeheartedly hailing the success made at the historical Pyongyang meeting and inter-Korean summit, he said that the Thai government would develop the friendly relations with the DPRK on good terms and strive for the prosperity and development of the two countries.
Full play to character of Korean nation called for
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun yesterday in a political essay entitled "character of our nation" said the Korean people are fully demonstrating the character of the Korean nation which the President Kim Il Sung treasured all his life and which has grown stronger thanks to the great leader Kim Jong Il's ardent love for the country and the nation.
The essay said:
The national identity which we value reflects the soul of the Korean nation and the spirit and mettle of the Korean nation. It is expressive of the pride of the Korean nation who has created the world's most civilized morality and culture that originated from the Taedonggang culture.
The Korean nation is the strongest in the world in terms of spirit and morality, custom, emotion and wisdom and rare in courage and will, unity and creativity. It is the strongest in the world because it loves justice and truth and hates injustice.
The superiority of the nation lies in the greatness of the leader. President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il are the great fathers of the Korean nation who firmly preserved and developed the national identity in the whole period of the Korean revolution.
It is necessary to more firmly preserve the character of the Korean nation in face of the moves of the imperialists for "globalization." It is also necessary to have strong faith and will, great courage and high national pride and always live and struggle, optimistic about the distant future of the nation by learning from Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, incarnations of the national character. This is the only way of giving fuller play to the national character and national spirit.
The national character of the Korean people is excellent, pure and strong because its core is the revolutionary outlook on the leader. Based on absolute trust and loyalty to the leader, Kim Il Sung's nation is demonstrating its most distinguished and best identity everywhere. The Korean people, who created this best national character for the first time in human history, will always regard it as their flesh and blood and soul and glorify the nation as the most proud one in the world in this noble spirit.
Birthday of CPLA celebrated
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- A meeting of servicepersons was held at the Kang Kon Military Academy yesterday to mark the 73rd birthday of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (CPLA).
Present at the meeting were teaching staff and cadets of the academy.
Ambassador Wang Guozhang, military attache Yan Jiangfeng and other officials of the Chinese embassy here were invited to it.
Speeches were made at the meeting.
The participants looked round the photos introducing the CPLA and saw a Chinese documentary film.
Talks held between DPRK and Thai foreign ministers
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- Talks between the DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and his Thai counterpart Surin Pitsuwan were held in Bangkok on Wednesday.
At the talks both sides informed each other of the situation of their countries and discussed the matter of further developing the bilateral relations of friendship.
They also exchanged views on a series of matters of mutual concern.
The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Friendly meeting between Korean, Mongolian women
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting was held here on Friday between officials of the Korean Democratic Women's Union and members of the visiting delegation of the Liberal Women's Brain Pool of Mongolia.
Present there were Choe Chang Suk, vice-chairwoman of the KDWU Central Committee, and officials concerned.
Invited to it were members of the delegation of Mongolia headed by honorary chairwoman O. Enhtuya.
The participants talked with each other about the activities of the two women's organizations and their achievements and experience, deepening feelings of friendship.
Chongryon official protests Ishihara's remarks
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- Ryang Su Jong, director of the international affairs and reunification department of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), published a statement on July 25 denouncing Tokyo metropolitan governor Sintaro Ishihara's anti-DPRK diatribe, according to Joson Sinbo published in Japan.
In a dialogue with metropolitans on July 19, Ishihara let loose anachronistic words of intolerable insult to the DPRK.
It is an act of going against the trend of the times, Ryang said.
He strongly urged Ishihara to immediately withdraw his remarks badly defaming the DPRK's dignity and hurting the Korean nation's self-respect, and to apologize for them.
The Japanese authorities, if they truly hope for the improved DPRK-Japan relations, should not connive at such provocative behavior of Ishihara.
Table-tennis games for reunification held
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- Table-tennis games for reunification were held at Pyongyang indoor stadium on Friday under the co-sponsorship of the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee and the Samsung Group of South Korea.
The games were seen by Kim Yong Dun, chairman of the committee, O Su Yong, Minister of Electronics Industry, Yun Jong Ryong, vice-president of the group, and his party, together with over 12,000 people, youth and students in the city.
Addressing the games, Song Ho Gyong, vice-chairman of the committee, said the Korean nation which has held up the torch of human civilization for 5,000 years with the same blood running through its veins will certainly build a reunified sovereign, dignified, prosperous and powerful state in the east, if it pools their strength, wisdom and resourcefulness once again.
Vice-president Yun Jong Ryong said that a new chapter of reconciliation and cooperation was opened in inter-Korean relations after the historic Pyongyang meeting and that the table-tennis games, a festival of one mind sharing the joy of meeting above competition, will be a significant event in accelerating reunification.
A lighting ceremony of an electronic display board donated to Pyongyang Indoor Stadium by the Samsung Group was held, which was followed by an exhibition performance of our rhythmic gymnasts.
At men's and women's singles and doubles between the "Moranbong" team of the north and the "Samsung" team of the south, the "Moranbong" team won the both games.
The two teams were mixed and divided into "independence" team and "reunification" team, which held mixed doubles. The "reunification" team won the games.
Kidnapping case in Japan
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- Japan is kicking up much fuss over someone's non-existent "issue of kidnapping," far from minding its own business.
Rodong Sinmun yesterday said this in a signed article dealing with the recent kidnapping of a former British Stewardress of British Airways in Tokyo.
Many kidnapping cases that occurred earlier go to prove that Japan tops the world's list of kidnapping cases, the article notes, and goes on:
During their military occupation and rule over Korea the Japanese imperialists drafted at least 6 million young and middle-aged Koreans for forced labour and military service and kidnapped nearly 200,000 Korean women to reduce them to "comfort women for the army". This was the most hideous kidnapping of foreigners in history. Yet, Japan has neither admitted this crime nor apologized and compensated for it.
Nevertheless, Japan is trying hard to link the DPRK with some of the kidnapping and missing cases in Japan in a bid to charge it with "kidnapping" without any evidence.
Obviously, kidnapping is a serious problem in Japan. This is clearly evidenced by the recent kidnapping of a foreigner.
Kidnapping is so rampant in Japan that even foreigners are frequently abducted there.
Japan had better stop vociferating about the DPRK's non-existent "issue of kidnapping" in vain and focus on resolving its serious issue of kidnapping.
Developing countries to construct economies by themselves
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- Relying on one's own efforts and technology is the best way for developing countries to successfully build a new society, said Rodong Sinmun yesterday in a signed article.
It continued:
Developing countries can develop national economies in conformity with their specific conditions and the demand of the people only when they rely on their own efforts and technology.
Experience proves that they can achieve good successes only when they work out plans for economic construction best suited to their actual situation and push ahead with their implementation, while exerting efforts to national education and the development of science and technology from the stand of Juche.
Something new and innovative can be created only when every developing country depends on its own efforts and technology and arouses the creative ingenuity of its people to push forward economic construction.
Developing countries should further develop cooperation and exchange on the principle of collective self-reliance.
They have good experience, technology and rich resources to develop economy.
Collective self-reliance provides the best way for developing countries to develop economy and achieve national prosperity.
Advanced science and technology should not be neglected on account of self-reliance. It is important to introduce advanced science and technology, machines and equipment into those fields where they are badly needed and they can pay off soon.
No nation can achieve any progress if it tries to solve all economic issues, yielding to anyone's pressure or reading his face to please him.
Developing countries should successfully push ahead with the building of a new society by firmly maintaining the stand of Juche in the economic construction and relying on their own efforts and technology in conformity with their actual situation.
Council for friendship with DPRK formed in Japan
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- The Ibaraki Prefectural Trade Union Council for the Promotion of Japan-DPRK Friendship was formed on July 17.
At its inaugural meeting Ikira Fujii, chairman of the Ibaraki Prefectural Teachers Union, was elected chairman of the council.
Anniv. of start of Kim Jong Il's work at WPK C.C. celebrated abroad
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- The 36th anniversary of the start of the great leader Kim Jong Il's work at the Worker's Party of Korea Central Committee was splendidly celebrated in different countries.
Party leaders, prominent political and public figures, representatives of Juche idea study groups and organizations for friendship and solidarity with the Korean people in different countries and representatives of international organizations sent congratulatory messages and letters to Kim Jong Il. Among them were the president of the c.c., United People's Front of Nepal, the chairman of the Communist Party of Tajikistan, the general secretary of the central executive committee of the People's National Congress of Guyana and the Minister of Youth and Sports of Democratic Congo.
Multifarious events such as celebration meeting, friendly gathering, lecture meeting, seminar, film show and photo exhibition were held in 40 odd countries including India, Madagascar, Poland, Guyana and Guinea. And political and public figures of various countries made public statements and articles.
Meanwhile, more than 50 newspapers of over 30 countries including Mexico, Cambodia, Nepal and Ethiopia gave wide publicity to the outstanding leadership and immortal feats of Kim Jong Il.
Well-known televisions of Madagascar, Italy, Indonesia, Laos and other countries broadcast special programs on his revolutionary activities.