"International Kim Il Sung Prize" awarded to ARCSJI director general
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- The "International Kim Il Sung Prize" Council decided to award "International Kim Il Sung Prize" to Dorank Assifat Diasseny, director general of the African Regional Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea (ARCSJI) and Minister for National Defence of the Guinean Presidential Office, the Indian paper National Herald July 30 said.
Dorank Assifat Diasseny has long disseminated the immortal Juche idea in Africa and other parts of the world, thus contributing to the work to achieve world peace and progress.
Banquet given for Vietnamese FM
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government on Saturday hosted a banquet for the Vietnamese Foreign Minister and his party.
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien and his party and the Vietnamese ambassador to the DPRK were present on invitation.
Present there were DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Kil Yon and other officials concerned.
Paek Nam Sun said in his speech that the Vietnamese Foreign Minister's visit to Korea is an expression of the sincere desire of the Vietnamese government and people to steadily develop the traditional friendly relations between the two countries which were established in the common struggle for independence and socialism against imperialism. This adds significance to this year, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he noted, and went on:
The Korean people always set store by the friendly and cooperative relations with the Vietnamese people provided by the great leader Kim Il Sung and Ho Chi Minh and make efforts to further develop the relations in the interests of the two peoples.
He expressed the belief that the Vietnamese Foreign Minister's visit to Korea will be an important occasion in substantially developing the traditional relations in the common interests of socialism.
Nguyen Dy Nien spoke next.
He hoped his visit to Korea would make an important contribution to developing the traditional relations between Vietnam and Korea.
He noted with pride that the comradely and fraternal ties between the two parties and peoples of the two countries provided by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il Sung have steadily strengthened and developed.
The peoples of the two countries are firmly defending socialism under the leadership of their parties and they share the desire to deepen understanding and confidence on the principles of peace and security, equality and mutual benefit, he noted.
He hoped that the fraternal Korean people would achieve shining success in socialist construction overcoming all the difficulties and reunify the country without fail under the guidance of the Worker's Party of Korea headed by the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Delegation of S. Korean media organizations feted
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Information Committee and the central committee of the Korean Journalists Union gave a banquet for the delegation of South Korean media organizations at the Mansudae Art Theater on Saturday.
Invited to the banquet were Minister of Culture and Tourism Pak Ji Won, chairman of the Newspapers Association and Hangyore president Choe Hak Rae and chairman of the Broadcasting Association and KBS president Pak Kwon Sang who are co-heads of the delegation, and heads of South Korean major media and others concerned.
Present there were department director of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea Jong Ha Chol, chairman of the DPRK Information Committee Kang Nung Su, chief editor of Rodong Sinmun Choe Chil Nam, general director of the Korean Central News Agency Kim Ki Ryong, chairman of the DPRK Radio and TV Broadcasting Committee Cha Sung Su and senior officials of the press, officials concerned and pressmen.
Addressing the banquet, Choe Chil Nam in the name of all the pressmen in the DPRK warmly welcomed Minister Pak Ji Won, co-heads of the delegation Choe Hak Rae and Pak Kwon Sang and other representatives of media organizations in South Korea who have taken a good step towards reconciliation and unity of the nation, the reunification of the country and the implementation of the north-south joint declaration, carrying with them the South Korean people's ardent aspiration after reunification.
We should be patriots before being pressmen and our patriotic activities geared to implementing the joint declaration, he said, adding: New circumstances call on the mediapersons to conduct their activities in a responsible manner in favour of the country's reunification and the prosperity of the nation.
Calling upon all the pressmen in the north and the south to display ardent patriotism and the spirit of national independence and thus become standard-bearers of the era and buglers in the grand march for reunification so as to help achieve national unity, reunification and prosperity, he expressed the belief that representatives of South Korean media organizations would use their Pyongyang visit as an opportunity to prove the vitality of the north-south joint declaration and thus live up to the expectation of the 70 million fellow countrymen.
Choe Hak Rae in his speech said their Pyongyang visit on behalf of the media organizations in the south is a very important historic event.
He went on:
The Pyongyang summit talks in June opened a new horizon for peace, reconciliation and cooperation on the Korean peninsula whereas our Pyongyang visit may be listed as one of the specific successes as it is aimed to convey a message of hope to the whole nation.
Pointing out that this visit cannot but reflect the ardent hope of all the members of our nation, our fellow countrymen, for future, he called on the mediapersons in the south and the north to take the lead in stirring up the atmosphere of reunification on the basis of reconciliation and cooperation.
A performance was given by artistes in Pyongyang at the banquet.
Talks between foreign ministers of DPRK and Vietnam
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- Talks between Paek Nam Sun, Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Dy Nien were held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall yesterday.
Present there were officials concerned and the Vietnamese ambassador to the DPRK.
At the talks, both sides informed each other of the situation in their countries and exchanged views on further developing friendly relations between the two countries and a series of matters of mutual concern.
Observance of three principles of national reunification called for
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- It is most important to adhere to the three principles of national reunification in order to achieve the reunification of the country, the desire and demand of the fellow countrymen, at an early date.
Rodong Sinmun stresses this in a signed article today.
The three principles--independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity--constitute top principles that make it possible to correctly solve issues of inter-Korean relations and national reunification as a whole from the Juche-based stand of the nation and in view of the national interests, the article says, and goes on:
The principle of independence is a basic stand that should be maintained in the struggle for national reunification.
National independence is badly needed today because outsiders are becoming more desperate than ever before in their efforts to perpetuate the division of Korea.
If the Korean people depend on the outsiders, they can never achieve national unity and reunification nor can they settle any issues in conformity with their requirements and interests. National independence is the basic principle that should be adhered to in any circumstances.
The principle of peaceful reunification is an important principle that mirrors the requirements of the times and vital interests of the nation.
There is no reason whatsoever for the Korean people to suffer war disaster in the peace-loving world even after the end of the Cold War.
National reunification is an issue of national reconciliation and unity and a great undertaking for the prosperity of the nation and eternal happiness of posterity.
So, the principle of peaceful reunification that guarantees this should be held fast to.
The principle of great national unity provides a sure guarantee for the independent, peaceful reunification of the country.
No one can work for the reunification in our stead.
Whoever concerned about the fate of the country and nation should give top precedence to the ideal of the nation and the shared interests of the nation from a patriotic stand and get united on this basis.
Firm unity of all the compatriots in the north and south of Korea and abroad means the reunification of the country.
An adherence to the three principles of national reunification is the top priority of the Korean people in the efforts for reunification and they are the fixed principles of national reunification.
Unity of world people advocating independence called for
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- The calls of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea published in the run-up to the 55th anniversary of its foundation appealed to the Korean people to unite with the world people advocating independence, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article explaining the calls.
The article goes on: The worldwide struggle to defend independence is to realise humankind's desire for independence.
Confrontation between the people in their efforts to realise independence and the imperialists who pursue dominationist ambition is an acute who-beats-who-class showdown.
All the people of the world form a driving force in the struggle to make the world independent against imperialism.
They can strengthen their position as a driving force, discharge their role and emerge victorious in the struggle to make the world independent only when they unite.
The imperialists conspire with each other and come out as a united force to challenge socialism and the world cause of independence. This very urgently calls on the world people advocating independence to struggle in unity.
The might of the anti-imperialist forces for independence lies in unity.
What is of utmost importance in achieving the unity of the world people is to strengthen the unity of the world socialist movement.
It is also important to strengthen the unity of the non-aligned movement, a mainstream of the anti-imperialist forces for independence at present.
The world people advocating independence can surely destroy imperialism and build an independent new world only when they unite as one.
Valiant struggle against challenges of imperialists urged
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- The revolutionary people of the world should vigorously meet any challenge of the imperialists, penetrating into their vulnerability and not deceived by their bluff, stresses Minju Joson today in a signed article.
Dealing with the calls of the Worker's Party of Korea Central Committee published to mark its 55th birthday, the article says:
The realities show that more powerful struggle should be waged against the imperialists.
It is, above all, important to have the spirit of staunch struggle against imperialism.
Fight against imperialism is a life-and-death struggle.
The revolutionary people should have the conviction of sure victory and determined will to win in this fight and accomplish their cause.
Any illusion about imperialism should never be allowed.
Illusion or submission to imperialism means death.
In order to decisively meet the challenges of the imperialists, it is necessary to build up a strong driving force.
All people and army should be firmly armed with the idea of their leader and united closer around the party.
Military force, too, should be reinforced because any nation cannot defend itself unless it strengthens its self-reliant defence capabilities.
An independent national economy should also be built so as to stand against the economic sanctions and pressure, customary practices of the imperialists.
The revolutionary countries and people should valiantly fight to meet the challenges of the imperialists, with steadfast spirit of anti-imperialist struggle and strong driving force, and thus greatly contribute to accelerating the human cause of independence.
Japan's mud-slinging at DPRK under fire
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- The Japan Defense Agency in a recent "defense white paper for 2000" talked the rubbish that the DPRK is "suspected of developing nuclear weapons", "pushing forward as planned the development of long-range ballistic missiles" and it "possesses chemical substance for the production of chemical weapons."
Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary dismisses this as a sheer sophism which can be made only by the Japanese reactionaries who are without equals in dreaming up fictions to slander others.
The anti-DPRK diatribe launched by them whenever an opportunity presents itself is intended to justify their moves for nuclear weaponization and the conversion of Japan into a military power which have now reached a dangerous phase, the commentary observes, and goes on:
The Japanese militarist forces have been rapidly revived and rearmed with the U.S. backing since the end of the war.
Blinded by even wilder ambition, they are going in for nuclear weaponization and the conversion of Japan into a military giant.
Their ultimate aim is to introduce sophisticated, long-range weapons into their armed forces and build them into strategic forces to increase their military muscle to such an extent as to become a "military superpower."
They are citing the non-existent "threat" from the DPRK as a pretext to justify these moves. The strategic objective of their moves for nuclear weaponization and the conversion of Japan into a military power is to realize their design for overseas expansion.
Japan keen on embarking upon overseas expansion backed by the U.S. is chiefly responsible for destabilizing the situation and vitiating peace and security, the commentary notes, and urges Japan to drop such wicked attitude intended to justify its wrongs and achieve their sinister aim.
Korean people's cause of national reunification supported abroad
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- Rallies and lecture meetings were held in Switzerland, Guyana, Madagascar and Cuba in support of the Korean people's cause of national reunification.
Speakers said at different events that the President Kim Il Sung tirelessly worked to reunify Korea independently and peacefully till the last moments of his life. They referred to the principles and proposals for national reunification advanced by him.
They noted that the great leader Kim Jong Il is wisely leading the struggle to put into practice the instructions of President Kim Il Sung for the reunification of the country.
The reunification of Korea is the unanimous desire of the world people, they said, stressing that they would conduct positive activities worldwide to express support and solidarity with the Korean people in their struggle for national reunification.
A congratulatory message and letter to Kim Jong Il were adopted at the events held in Switzerland and Guyana.
Rally for vital rights held in S. Korea
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- The "National Federation of Peasants Associations" of South Korea held a rally in Seoul on August 3 with at least 1,000 peasants and students attending to demand the vital rights of peasants including the fixing of fair prices of farm and stock-breeding products and the institution of a special law on debts of farm households, the Seoul-based "Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation" said.
The organization declared that its members of 96 cities and counties across South Korea would carry on their struggle in Seoul and, at the same time, hold a large rally in Uisong, North Kyongsang Province, on September 7 till the demands of the peasants are met.
Korea's reunification favored by Brazilians
Pyongyang, August 6 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Claudio Campos, international secretary Eduardo Fernandez and organizational secretary Miguel Manso of the October 8 Revolutionary Movement of Brazil, Reyla Abreu, secretary general of the Women's Federation of Brazil, and other public figures of Brazil signed the signature paper on July 24 supporting the three-point charter of Korea's reunification.