Joint agreement of media organizations of north and south issued
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- A joint agreement of media organizations of the north and the south was issued here on August 11.
The joint agreement reads:
Joint agreement of media organizations of north and south
The delegation of the south side's media organizations visited Pyongyang from August 5 to 12, 2000.
Recognizing that the historic north-south joint declaration is of weighty significance in achieving the reunification of the country and pledging themselves to work hard together for its implementation, the media organizations of the north and the south agreed as follows:
Firstly, the media organizations of the north and the south will conduct positive activities helpful to achieving national unity and realising reunification.
Secondly, the media organizations of the north and the south will avoid confrontation between compatriots and stop slanders and calumnies, which hurt national reconciliation and unity, in keeping with the prevailing situation.
Thirdly, the media organizations of the north and the south will cooperate with each other in news service and other press activities and deepen mutual understanding and trust through contacts, visits and exchange.
Fourthly, contacts between the media organizations of the north and the south will be undertaken by the "North-South Media Committee for Exchange and Cooperation" to be participated in by the central committee of the Korean Journalists' Union from the north side and by the representative of the leading media organizations of the south side including the Newspaper Association and the Broadcasting Association of South Korea.
Fifthly, the delegation of media organizations of the south side invited a delegation of media organizations of the north side to visit Seoul in return for the north side's invitation and the north side decided to visit Seoul at a time it thinks convenient.
Choe Chil Nam, Choe Hak Rae,
Editor-in-chief Charmin of the Newspaper
of Rodong Sinmun on behalf Association of South
of media organizations Korea, on behalf of media
of the north side organizations of the
South side
August 11, 2000
DPRK delegation leaves for China
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the DPRK-China Friendship Association led by Minister of Public Health Kim Su Hak, who is chairman of the c.c., the association, left here today to visit China.
It was seen off at Pyongyang railway station by vice-Minister of Public Health Choe Chang Sik, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Kim Jin Bom and Chinese ambassador to Korea Wang Guozhang.
Meanwhile, a DPRK health delegation led by Kim Su Hak will attend the 18th meeting of ministers of health of southeast Asian countries to be held in Kathmandu.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from delegation of S. Korean media organizations
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the delegation of South Korean media organizations.
The gift was handed to department director of the Worker's Party of Korea Central Committee Jong Ha Chol on Saturday.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from minister of culture and tourism of S. Korea
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from Pak Ji Won, Minister of Culture and Tourism of South Korea.
The gift was handed to department director of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea Jong Ha Chol by the Minister on Saturday.
Delegation of S. Korean media organizations leaves
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the South Korean media organizations left here today by air after completing the itinerary of its visit to Pyongyang amid domestic and foreign expectation and concern for the honest implementation of the historic north-south joint declaration and national reunification.
Many working people in the city turned out to the airport with flowers in their hands to see off the delegation of the South Korean media organizations leaving here after deepening mutual understanding and trust between the media organizations of the north and the south..
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, editor-in-chief of Rodong Sinmun Choe Chil Nam, director general of the KCNA Kim Ki Ryong, chairman of the DPRK Radio and TV Broadcasting Committee Cha Sung Su and other officials concerned.
The delegation of South Korean media organizations came out to the airport for departure from Pyongyang.
Children presented bouquets to Minister of Culture and Tourism Pak Ji Won, Choe Hak Rae and Pak Kwon Sang, co-heads of the delegation.
Members of the delegation exchanged warm farewell with officials of the north side.
The plane carrying the delegation left here amid cheers of the crowd.
Kim Tae Won's personal safety urged
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Representative Kim Tae Won of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) is expected to go back to South Korea on the occasion of August 15, the 55th anniversary of the country's liberation. In this connection the north headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification (Pomchonghakryon) issued a statement today.
According to the statement, he, together with representative Hwang Son, visited Pyongyang to participate in the August 15, Juche 87 (1998) events for reunification and the first joint excursion to historic relics in the north and a joint academic symposium of Pomchonghakryon.
He is to go back to South Korea according to the organizational decision of Hanchongryon and Pomchonghakryon to support the historic north-south joint declaration and contribute to its implementation and his own determination, the statement said, and went on:
All the youth and students and people in the North Korea hail his expected reunion with his family members and fellow students and sincerely hope that he will not be subject to a "legal action" back to South Korea but will have a pleasant opportunity to reunite with his dear ones and continue his study.
Mutual visits of missions of political, press, art and sports circles are taking place, separated families and relatives are expected to meet with each other and unconverted long-term prisoners are also expected to return home as a result of practical measures to implement the north-south joint declaration. These positive developments bring immense joy and hope for reunification to all the fellow countrymen.
The South Korean authorities should not arrest any organizations and persons, who support the declaration and call for its implementation, to spoil this atmosphere. They should ponder over all the consequences to be entailed by any "legal action" to be taken against them.
The north headquarters of the Pomchonghakryon strongly urges the South Korean authorities to ensure in a responsible manner the personal safety of Kim Tae Won and unconditionally and immediately set free representatives of the hanchongryon Hwang Son and Hwang Hye Ro who are still behind bars on absurd charges after their visit to Pyongyang.
Reception given by Russian consulate-general in Chongjin
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- A reception was given by the consulate-general of the Russian Federation in Chongjin yesterday on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of Korea's liberation.
Present on invitation were Ri Kun Mo, chief secretary of the North Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, Pak Su Gil, chairman of the North Hamgyong Provincial People's Committee, and other officials concerned.
Consul-general Oleg Dabydov and officials of the consulate-general were present at the reception.
Speeches were made at the reception which proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Stronger NAM called for
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today comes out with an article titled "Let us further strengthen and develop Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)."
Referring to the position and role of the NAM on the international arena today which has incessantly struggled for sovereignty, peace, independence and progress, taking independence against imperialism as its basic idea, the article deals with issues related to the growth of the nam.
The article says:
All the non-aligned countries should hold aloft the banner of independence against imperialism to strengthen and develop the movement.
This banner is for rejecting imperialists' domination and subjugation, consolidating national independence, achieving independent development and prosperity of countries and guaranteeing peace and security.
Lifting this banner higher provides a sure guarantee for building a new independent, peaceful and prosperous world.
What is also important for the growth of the nam is to achieve its unity and cohesion.
The imperialists are working desperately to break this unity and cohesion.
This situation calls on the non-aligned countries to counter the imperialists' moves to split and alienate non-aligned countries with a strategy of unity and solve differences and disputes on the principle of mutual respect, non-interference in other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and unite close with each other.
It is necessary to steadily expand the ranks of the nam to strengthen and develop it. Loyalty to the basic idea and principles of the movement should always be a criterion whereby to assess and receive new applicants.
Underscoring the need to develop south-south cooperation, an important condition for the growth of the movement, the article touches on its significance and importance.
The present reality goes to prove that the mission and idea of the movement is valid and it is growing stronger and developing, the article notes, and stresses:
The Worker's Party of Korea and the DPRK government will in the future, too, remain as ever loyal to the basic idea and principles of the movement and dynamically advance alongside other non-aligned countries in the struggle to build a new independent world free from imperialism.
Staff members of Indonesian embassy help builders of Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia exhibition
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Buchari Effendi, Indonesian ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of the embassy helped builders of the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia exhibition yesterday.
They presented to the exhibition the photographs showing activities conducted by General Secretary Kim Jong Il accompanying the President Kim Il Sung during his visit to Indonesia 35 years ago and conveyed to the construction site aid materials they prepared with sincerity.
They worked with builders, encouraging them in their labour drive.
During break they enjoyed an art performance and sang songs, deepening friendly feelings.
Noting that there is nothing more beautiful and fragrant in the world than Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia named after the great men, the ambassador hoped that those immortal flowers would be kept in full bloom.
Delegation of S. Korean media organizations visits international friendship exhibition
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The delegation of South Korean media organizations yesterday visited the international friendship exhibition on Mt. Myohyang, one of the famous mountains in Korea.
On display are hundreds of thousands of gifts sent to the President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il by heads of parties, states and governments and progressive people from over 170 countries.
The delegation was impressed to know that every gift on display carried the world people's unbounded veneration and best wishes for the great leaders and that all these precious gifts are well preserved to be handed down to all generations to come as enduring national treasures of Kim Il Sung'S. Korea.
It also visited Pohyon Temple on Mt. Myohyang.
Evening held in S. Korea to see off unconverted long-term prisoners
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Students of Seoul National University held an evening to see off unconverted long-term prisoners in the students hall of the university on August 9 as part of the August 15 Grand Reunification Festival, the South Korean newspaper Hangyore said.
Present there were over 10 unconverted long-term prisoners.
At the meeting students wished good health to the unconverted long-term prisoners to be repatriated to the north and desired reunification, while the latter expressed their regret at parting and asked them to meet again when the country is reunified.
Juche idea praised
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- It is the greatest fortune for the progressive people of the world to have the immortal Juche idea as the guiding idea, said Fujio Hanawa, secretary general of the National Liaison Council of Japan Societies for the Study of the Juche Idea, when interviewed by KCNA while visiting the DPRK at the head of its delegation.
Fujio Hanawa continued:
The Juche idea does not belong to a particular country or nation, but a universal one meeting the aspirations and demands of all nations in the world.
The world people are unanimous in saying that the Juche idea is the guiding idea of the era of independence which has eternal vitality. This is because the Juche idea is a most progressive idea in our times indicating a true way of hewing out the destiny of man and building a new independent world, I think.
Thanks to General Secretary Kim Jong Il the Juche idea will be immortal and always shine brightly as a beacon illumining the road for the world people to follow.
Film show week opens
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- An opening ceremony of a film show week was held at the Pyongyang International Cinema House yesterday on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of Korea's liberation.
Present there were Jo Chan Gu, vice-Minister of Culture, other officials concerned and working people in the city.
Alexander Timonin, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Russian Federation, and staff members of the embassy were present there.
Speeches were made at the ceremony.
Then, the participants saw a feature film "From Spring To Summer."
Friendly meeting with members of Chinese delegation
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting with members of a delegation of the Hongxing China-DPRK friendship farm was held on the DPRK-China friendship Thaekam cooperative farm yesterday.
Invited there were Zhong Liming, party secretary of the Hongxing China-DPRK friendship farm who is heading the delegation, and its members.
Present there were the general secretary of the central committee of the DPRK-China Friendship Association, officials concerned and members of the farm.
The participants looked round several places of the farm including the house visited by the President Kim Il Sung and premier Zhou Enlai, the friendship room, the nursery, the kindergarten, etc, and conversed with each other, deepening friendly feelings.
Delegation of S. Korean media organizations gives banquet
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The visiting delegation of South Korean media organizations gave a banquet at the People's Palace of Culture on Friday.
Invited to the banquet were department director of the Worker's Party of Korea Central Committee Jong Ha Chol, chairman of the DPRK Information Committee Kang Nung Su, editor-in-chief of Rodong Sinmun Choe Chil Nam, director general of the KCNA Kim Ki Ryong, chairman of the DPRK Radio and TV Broadcasting Committee Cha Sung Su, leading officials of the press, officials concerned and other pressmen.
Present were Minister of Culture and Tourism Pak Ji Won, chairman of the Newspaper 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 other South Korean major media presidents and those concerned.
Addressing the banquet, Pak Kwon Sang expressed deep thanks for cordial reception and hospitality with warm compatriotic feelings and said their Pyongyang visit is an important event in the history of the nation.
He noted that the Pyongyang visit deepened mutual understanding and confirmed that the feelings of the nation and compatriotism cannot be changed despite the separation of a half century.
He went on:
The June 15 declaration provided the framework of reconciliation and cooperation between the south and the north and paved the way for a grand march toward peaceful reunification, which is acclaimed not only by all the fellow countrymen in the south and the north but by the world. We have realised how powerful the strength of media is and how important the role of media is in paving the way for reconciliation and cooperation.
Speaking next, Cha Sung Su said that pressmen in the north and the south open-mindedly talked with each other and shared warm compatriotic feelings, merrily singing songs to the tune of reunification with a single purpose to pool efforts to implement the north-south joint declaration and hasten reunification. We have confirmed that we can never live separated and we are a homogeneous nation more intimate than any others.
The joint agreement, the first precious fruit of the pressmen in the north and the south, is the standard and basis common to our press activities, he said, stressing the need to discharge the mission of national media to open a new century of reunification and prosperity according to the joint agreement.
He called upon all the participants to vow once again to become pace-setters, pioneers of national reunification in the north and south to hasten the day of reunification when all the fellow countrymen will dance with joy.
A performance was given by artistes in Pyongyang.
Three-point charter of Korea's reunification supported
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- Bada Sanchez Ramon, member of the central committee of the Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain, on August 3 signed a signature paper supporting the three-point charter of Korea's reunification on behalf of its party membership.
Reparation for damage done by GIs to cultural relics demanded
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- There is a call in south these days for the compensation for the damage done to cultural relics and Buddhist temples by GIs' heavy bombing during the June 25 War, according to Yonhap News from Seoul.
The "Committee to Push Reparation for Destruction of Buddhist Temples by GIs During the War" at a press conference held in Seoul on August 9 declared that it would probe the damage done to temples in the south and the north and documents carrying orders issued by the U.S. military and bring its claim for reparation to the Geneva war crimes tribunal.
The committee charged that the U.S. committed premeditated heavy bombing of Kangwon Province and the area of Mt. Jiri, destroying many temples and cultural relics in a bid to stamp out Korean Buddhism.
The committee called upon all Buddhists of South Korea including Buddhist Jogye order to join in the campaign.
Will to force Japan to apologize and compensate for its past crimes expressed
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Measure Council for Volunteers issue held a meeting in Seoul on Aug. 9 at which it declared it would condemn the crimes committed by the Japanese imperial army and clarified its will to force Japan to make an official apology at any cost at the 2000 international tribunal to try its war criminals responsible for sex slaves for the army slated to be held in Tokyo in forthcoming December, said Radio No. 1 based in Seoul.
The organization has staged a protest against the Japanese imperialists' crimes in front of the Japanese embassy every Wednesday. It declared at the rally that it would launch a campaign to disclose the Japanese imperialists' crimes in Jonju on Aug. 12 and spread it to other big cities in South Korea.
Plan for DPRK-Indonesia cultural exchange signed
Pyongyang, August 12 (KCNA) -- The 2000-2002 plan for cultural exchange between the governments of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Indonesia was signed in Djakarta on Aug. 7.
The plan was inked by Hong Son Ok, vice-chairperson of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and the general director of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia.