Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranges film show
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranged a film show at the Taedonggang Club for the diplomatic corps on September 7 on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the DPRK.
Invited there were foreign diplomatic envoys here.
Vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Kil Yon and other officials concerned were on hand.
Its participants appreciated the Korean documentary film "50th Anniversary of the DPRK".
178th anniversary of Independence of Brazil marked
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- A meeting to mark the 178th anniversary of the Independence of Brazil was held at the Pyongyang Embroidery Institute on Thursday.
Attending the meeting were Kim Jin Bom, vice-chairman of the Korean Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is chairman of the Korea-Brazil Friendship Association, members of the association and workers of the institute.
The chairman of the association made a report, which was followed by speeches, at the meeting.
After the meeting the participants looked round publications introducing Brazil.
Basketball tournament for "August 28 Youth Cup" held
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- The 4th national basketball tournament of youth and students for "August 28 Youth Cup" took place in Jongju city, North Phyongan Province, from August 30 to September 5 to celebrate the youth day.
The tournament brought together excellent young players selected at senior middle schools, colleges and industrial establishments in all provinces and cities.
Boys and girls in Pyongyang came first in the basketball games among teams of senior middle schools and the boys team of Hamhung Teacher Training College no. 2 and the girls team of Kim Jong Suk Teacher Training College in basketball matches among college teams.
The team from north Phyongan Province placed first in the men's basketball games among working youth teams.
Letters of commendation, cups and medals were awarded to excellent teams and players at the closing ceremony of the tournament on September 5.
Misbehaviour of world's largest rogue state
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- The President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK and his party which had been on transit in Frankfurt airport, Germany, to attend the UN millennium summit slated in New York were compelled to return home after cancelling their plan to participate in it due to the unreasonable obstructions of the part of the U.S. administration authorities. In this connection Rodong Sinmun today carries a signed commentary.
At the time the DPRK delegation was about to board the already booked American airliner in Frankfurt airport, those who style themselves U.S. air security agents showed up there and made such a rude act as saying that they should inspect as a special case the members of the delegation including the president of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and their hand luggages and claiming this was instructed by their government as the DPRK is a "rogue state".
This arrogant and brigandish act of the United States is a grave encroachment upon the sovereignty of an independent state, an unbearable insult to human rights and an open challenge to the united nations and the UN millennium summit organized by it, the commentary says, and goes on:
The recent incident sparked under the scenario of the U.S. administration clearly proves that the United States is, indeed, the world's largest rogue state, a country of international gangsters who think nothing of the international law and international norm and a state of hooligans ignorant of elementary etiquette and morality.
It also goes to prove that the United States is proposing a series of talks with the DPRK for the present, vociferating about "improved relations" with it, but it has an axe to grind.
The base act on the part of the United States is intended to prevent the situation at home and abroad from turning in favour of the DPRK, observes the commmentary. Laying bare the dark intention of the U.S., the commentary notes:
The U.S. was very afraid that the criminal moves it has pushed ahead to establish the "missile defense" system under the absurd pretext of coping with "missile threat from North Korea" might be laid bare by the DPRK delegation on the UN forum.
The U.S. obstruction to the DPRK delegation's participation in the UN millennium summit was a product of the sinister trick to bar the message from Korea of Juche opposing the high-handed practices of the "only superpower" and calling for an independent new world from being heard in the conference hall.
One's evil doing will rebound on oneself.
The United States will have to pay a dear price for debasing the sovereignty and dignity of Korea of Juche that values independence more than life.
Co-chairmen of U.N. millennium summit issue statement
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- The co-chairmen of the U.N. millennium summit issued a statement on Wednesday, the first day of the summit, to applaud the historic Pyongyang meeting held in June and the north-south joint declaration.
The statement said:
The co-chairmen of the U.N. millennium summit hail the historical summit between the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea held in Pyongyang last June and the north-south joint declaration as a major breakthrough in bringing peace, stability and reunification to the Korean peninsula and encourage the two parties to advance the process of dialogue so that it may make a contribution to peace and security in the region and the world and thus eventually lead to the peaceful reunification of the peninsula.
National emblem of DPRK
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- The national emblem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea instituted in September Juche 37 (1948) is an official symbol of the DPRK, the fatherland of all the Korean people.
The national emblem forming an oval frame bears in its upper part Mt. Paektu called by the Korean people a holy mountain of the revolution, a five-pointed star and its rays. These are symbolic of the brilliant revolutionary traditions of the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle inherited by the government of the DPRK and a rosy future of the Korean people vigorously advancing towards the reunification and independence of the country and the victory of socialism and communism.
A hydro power station with ears of rice on the emblem reflects the might of the country's industry and agriculture, prospects of their development and the will of the Korean people to build socialism and communism and self-supporting national economy.
The oval frame of the emblem bounded by a red ribbon bearing the inscription "the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" shows the unbreakable unity and cohesion of the Korean people firmly rallied around the party and the leader, prosperity and bright future of the fatherland.
The national emblem of the DPRK signifies that it is a popular state providing the working masses with genuine political freedom and rights and happy material and cultural life. It, therefore, imbues the Korean people with honour and pride of being citizens of the DPRK and ardent patriotism.
Greeting the National Day (September 9), the Korean people look back with deep emotion upon the proud history of over 50 years they have covered with the national emblem and renew their determination to contribute to the building of a powerful nation.
Light industry goods well received
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- The central exhibition hall of samples of light industry goods situated in Taedonggang district, Pyongyang, is visited by many people at home.
Exhibited in the hall are light industry goods produced and developed by working people in different parts of the country with their own efforts and technology in hearty response to the light industry policy of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
A national light industry goods exhibition was recently held there.
On display there were more than 46,800 goods of some 9,800 varieties, which won the favour of visitors for their varieties and high qualities.
Coloured silk cloth, multi-coloured velvet and four-coloured fabric with full width produced at Pakchon and Pyongbyon silk mills were appreciated for their bright colours, delicate and graceful patterns and world-level quality.
The ferment institute, the foodstuff institute and the maize processing institute under the light industry science branch presented a variety of potato food such as potato vinegar, potato wine, riced potato and potato sausage to draw keen interest of visitors.
Many industrial establishments in Pyongyang put on display over 2,200 daily necessaries of over 700 varieties.
Among them were paper blankets, plastic buttons, folding cloth hangers, crushers, various grass handicrafts and kitchen utensils.
Summer blouses, spring and autumn sweaters, injection-molded shoes and vinyl shoes drew the attention of visitors as they fully satisfied the diverse tastes of the people.
The visitors felt great pride and self-respect while seeing all the exhibited goods which were produced in the spirit of self-reliance and fortitude under the difficult condition, where the country was hard pressed for everything due to the imperialists' moves to isolate and stifle it and continued serious natural disasters.
The workers in the field of light industry are working hard to produce goods of better quality on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Art show of budding talents
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- An art exhibition of wonder children is going on at the Pyongyang International House of Culture.
On display there are some 300 traditional Korean paintings, water colours, gold paintings (single-coloured strokes of gold-dustpigment on a black or green canvas) and pencil sketches by O Un Byol, Han Song Il, Hwang Kum Chol, Kim Il Song, Kim Mo Ran, Son Yong Jin, Kim Kyu Qwon and Han Myong Jin-all popularly known as "teenage masters".
The paintings of O Un Byol and Han Song Il and the calligraphy pieces of Hwang Kum Chol have become the highlight of the occasion.
O Un Byol, now a student at Pyongyang University of Fine Arts, started painting when she was two, and at 5, came first at an international children's art exhibition in Moscow in Juche 74 (1985) and two years later won a special prize. She staged a stunning upset at subsequent exhibitions and held her solo shows in Russia, China, Japan, US, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and elsewhere. She basked in publicity through TV, documentaries and media and her picture album was published.
Han Song Il, now 15, began to practise with a brush when he was two and became an idol the following year. He is credited with several gold medals and diplomas at national and international children's art shows. Now a student at Kum Song Senior Middle School no. 1, he is characterized by deep thinking and flash strokes.
Hwang Kum Chol, 23, is an artist with the Central Art Studio. He practised calligraphy from the age of six, and already in his teens, caught professional attention at painting-and-calligraphy exhibitions. He bagged 16 golds at domestic and international shows. "I'm honoured with another opportunity to share in the show," he says. "I'm only anxious to repay the government favour with my productiveness."
The exhibition attracts surging public interest.
Japan not qualified to sit on UNSC
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun yesterday in a signed article assailed Japan for seeking to use the U.N. millennium summit as a good opportunity of emerging as a political power in the international arena.
Japan's scheme to make a breakthrough in seeking permanent membership of the UNSC with the summit as a momentum is prompted by its calculation that the summit will become a world meeting of state leaders and mainly discuss the issue of UN reform and adopt an important decision, the article noted, and continued:
Japan has to mend its archille's heel before trying to sit on the UNSC.
It has not yet shaken off the ill fame of "enemy state."
This is attributable to its improper stand on the crimes committed by the Japanese imperialists in the past.
It has not yet admitted its past crimes and even asserts that it was right in doing so though more than half a century has passed since its defeat.
Meanwhile, it is stepping up preparations for overseas expansion while steadily beefing up its aggression forces.
If Japan, which is keen on pushing ahead with preparations for overseas expansion, refusing to admit its past crimes, is allowed to sit on the UNSC, the world will sustain unspeakable sufferings.
Japan is well advised to do soul-searching before making a bid for permanent membership of the UNSC and liquidate its past in such a manner as to convince the world.
National meeting marks DPRK birthday
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- A national meeting was held at the April 25 House of Culture today to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the DPRK.
Present there were party and state leading officials including Kim Yong Nam, Jo Myong Rok and Hong Song Nam, officials of power organs, public organizations and national institutions, officers and men of the Korean People's Army and people from all walks of life.
Invited there were diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international organizations here.
Yang Hyong Sop, alternate politburo member of the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and vice-president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, made a report.
He said that the DPRK is a most precious gain of the Korean revolution which was achieved by the genuine communists and people of Korea through their protracted hard-fought struggle for independence under the leadership of the great leader Kim Il Sung and a genuine people's government that fully meets the popular masses' requirements and ideal of independence, guided by the Juche idea.
The foundation of the DPRK enabled the Korean people to carve out their destinies independently and creatively as true masters of state and society, with power in their hands, for the first time in history. It marked the beginning of the history of working people's power of a new Juche type, the building of people-centered state in the political history of humankind.
The DPRK is enjoying its golden days and demonstrating the dignity and might of socialist Korea to the world under the experienced and tested leadership of Kim Jong Il, a creditable successor to Kim Il Sung's cause of Juche-oriented state building.
Kim Jong Il successfully carried out the cause of perpetuating the memory of President Kim Il Sung with his outstanding leadership art. as a result, he is held in high esteem as the eternal leader of the DPRK and his revolutionary idea serves as an enduring guiding idea of Juche Korea and steady continuity is thus provided to the history of the DPRK to shine as the history of the president.
The reporter called for strengthening and developing the DPRK into a powerful nation whose power has reached its highest level in all the political, military and economic fields by holding fast to Kim Jong Il's army-first revolutionary line as an eternal strategic line of the Korean revolution and thoroughly implementing it.
Referring to the facts that the historic Pyongyang meeting and the north-south summit were held in June, the north-south joint declaration was adopted and over 60 unconverted long-term prisoners in South Korea came back to the fatherland, he said that all this stirred up the whole country and the world.
The path of the Korean nation's struggle for the reunification of the country is not smooth. But Korea's reunification is certain to be achieved thanks to the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il, the great programme for national reunification provided to the Korean nation and the single-hearted unity of the Korean nation fully determined to remain loyal to him forever, he added.
Greetings to President of Tajikistan
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- President Kim Yong Nam of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly sent a message of greetings to Emomali Rakhmonov, President of Tajikistan, on September 5 on the occasion of its National Day.
The message extended warm congratulations to the President, the government and people of Tajikistan on the occasion of its National Day.
It wished the president and people of Tajikistan greater success in the work for national reconciliation and economic development and expressed the belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the future, too.
Congratulatory letters to Kim Jong Il from foreign diplomats
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il today received congratulatory letters from foreign diplomats in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
A congratulatory letter was handed to Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun by Palestinian ambassador Shaher Mohammed Abdlah on behalf of the diplomatic corps.
Floral baskets and congratulatory letters were conveyed to officials concerned from diplomatic envoys of Cambodia, Laos, India, Ethiopia, Palestine, Mongolia, Egypt, Indonesia, Vietnam, Nigeria, Russia, Yugoslavia, Poland, Syria, Romania, Yemen, Libya and Iran and representatives of the UNDP and UNICEF.
A congratulatory letter was handed to an official concerned by Vu Dinh Thang, military attache of the Vietnamese embassy, on behalf of the military attaches' corps.
Military attaches of Vietnam, Iran, Russia, Peru and Egypt respectively handed congratulatory letters to an official concerned.
Evelio Duenas Ponce, commercial councillor of the Cuban embassy, handed a congratulatory letter to an official concerned on behalf of the economic and commercial councillors' corps.
On results of medical checkup
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- A deputy director of a branch of the Red Cross General Hospital of Korea today answered a question put by KCNA as regards the results of medical checkup of unconverted long-term prisoners who came to the socialist homeland.
He said:
As well known, 63 patriotic champions of reunification called unconverted long-term prisoners came to the socialist homeland on September 2 in accordance with the historic north-south joint declaration and an agreement reached at inter-Korean Red Cross talks.
Our relevant health organs have conducted comprehensive health screening of them from September 3.
The results of the health screening show that they are in very poor health, awfully affected by diseases.
The results of the first round of medical examination prove that all of them are suffering from diseases caused by long prison life and tortures.
8 people find it hard to walk and 11 suffer from arthritis. Many others suffer from the sciatic nerve paralysis, backache, broken haunch bone, dislocation of elbow joint, bruise on the hips and other diseases caused by external physical pressure beyond the physiological limits of human beings.
Nearly all the unconverted long-term prisoners suffer from 3 to 4 diseases. 19 suffer from hypertension, 11 from chronic bronchitis, 28 from digestive system disorder and others from heart disorders, tuberculosis and other diseases.
There are serious cases of complicated respiratory system disorders, cerebral apoplexy, liver cancer, marrow tumor, pituitary gland tumor and other diseases.
The central committee of the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Rrepublic of Korea and other relevant organs are taking steps to recover the health of the indomitable patriotic champions of reunification in the wake of their return to the socialist homeland.