Kim Jong Il's work published in Peru
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il's famous work "the Worker's Party of Korea Is the Party of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung" was published in booklet by a publishing house of Peru on September 15.
The work was released on October 2, Juche 84 (1995).
National people's art festival opens
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- The National People's Art Festival was opened to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea.
Involved in it are at least 362,600 art circle members from more than 7,700 units including industrial establishments, farms and schools.
Put on the stage were over 36,000 art works which reflected the greatness of the three commanders of Mt. Paektu, the vitality of the army-first politics of the Worker's Party of Korea and its benevolent politics and the will of the Korean people to build a powerful socialist country in this land at an early date.
The festival was opened with due ceremony here on Friday.
At the end of the ceremony a performance was given by art circle members participating in the festival.
Koreans are propelling force of Korea's reunification
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries a by-lined article stressing that the Korean nation is the driving force of the country's reunification.
The issue of national reunification is that of linking the blood veins of the nation divided into the north and the south, realizing the unity of the nation and achieving the national sovereignty on a nation-wide scale, the article says, and goes on:
It is none other than the Koreans who are very interested in the settlement of this issue and who should work hard for it.
It is as clear as noonday that the issue of reunification can be settled smoothly at the earliest date when the Koreans, who are ardently desiring it and who are the driving force of it, join their efforts.
Outside forces can never be a propelling force of Korea's reunification in any case. In fact Korea was divided by the outside forces and its reunification has not yet been realized due to their obstructions.
The past history of national reunification movement proves that if their interference in the reunification issue is tolerated it will only lay a more stumbling obstacle to its settlement.
That is why the north-south joint declaration calling for an independent solution of the reunification issue by the united efforts of its master, the Korean nation, has become a milestone for national reunification.
The reunification issue can be easily settled when the Koreans join their national resourcefulness, wisdom and efforts and display them in the struggle for national reunification. It is illustrated by the affirmative developments after the publication of the historic joint declaration.
The only way to reunification is to adhere to the principle of solving this issue in an independent way by the Korean nation itself.
Floral basket to Korean embassy in Cuba from Fidel Castro
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- Fidel Castro Ruz, first secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers, sent a floral basket to the DPRK embassy in Havana on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the DPRK.
A floral basket was also sent to the DPRK embassy by Raul Castro Ruz, second secretary of the central committee of the party, first vice-president of the Council of State and Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
Death anniversary of Kim Jong Suk observed
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- A public presentation of stories about the virtues of great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk was held by trade unionists in Pyongyang on September 22 on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of her demise.
Speakers told about their experiences to prove that anti-Japanese heroine Kim Jong Suk safeguarded the President Kim Il Sung with her body as a shield, steadfastly defended his idea and line and devoted her all to the liberation of the country and the happiness of the people.
And they laid emphasis on the immortal exploits she performed in bringing up the respected leader Kim Jong Il as the future sun who would accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche.
A stage of songs "Kim Jong Suk is our mother" was also held by women's union members on Sep. 21.
The performers earnestly sang songs in praise of her, missing her.
1st home-visiting group of Chongryon arrives in Seoul
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- The first home-visiting group of compatriots under the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) left Tokyo and arrived in Seoul on September 22, according to a KNS report from Tokyo.
The group consisted of 50 compatriots of the first generation, 6 suite members and 7 pressmen headed by vice-chairman of the central standing committee of Chongryon Pak Jae Ro.
A central meeting was held in Tokyo on Sept. 21 to see off the visiting group and similar meetings were also held at prefectural headquarters of Chongryon.
IAEA director general's assertion refuted
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) asserted that the DPRK is to blame for the delayed LWR project.
Commenting on his argument, Rodong Sinmun today says:
He said at a meeting of the IAEA board of governors in Vienna on Sept. 11 that the LWR project program based on the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework is at risk due to the DPRK still refusing to recognize the agency's inspection.
Such argument is nonsense. The agreed framework clearly stipulates measures of simultaneous actions related to the project, not such article that the U.S. provides the DPRK with light water reactors instead of the latter's acceptance of the IAEA's inspection.
It is entirely due to the obstructive moves of the U.S. administration, its conservative forces in particular, that the lwr construction is at risk.
In May last the U.S. Lower House passed a bill made by the Republican Party conservatives, which defines that the U.S. administration is not bound for construction or operation of LWRs in the DPRK.
It also approved a bill on ban to any "aid fund" made by a republican conservative congressman arguing that "this fund can be used to commit the U.S. to the construction and operation of atomic reactors in North Korea."
The U.S. senate is now examining a bill which demands any provision of LWR technology to the DPRK be finally approved at the U.S. congress.
Such being the case, the IAEA is keeping mum about the U.S. wrong attitude but groundlessly taking issue with the innocent DPRK.
The facts revealed once again that the agency serves as a puppet of the U.S., bereft of impartiality and international justice which is vital to its existence.
High temperature measuring instruments developed
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- The computer institute of the Academy of Sciences in the DPRK has developed a computer-style fluorescent pyrometer and a rotator surface temperature sensor.
The computer-style pyrometer is designed to monitor detecting devices installed even in distance of 500 metres.
This pyrometer is able of measuring 700-2,000 degrees centigrade and its measuring error is one percent below and above. Instantaneous, average and maximum temperatures are shown as numbers on color liquid-crystal display and recording and correcting of temperature and wave coefficient are automatically controlled.
The surface temperature sensor is designed to measure temperature on the surface of a rotating furnace so as to detect the location of fire-brick omitted and ring at the furnace.
Its measuring scope is 200-800 degrees centigrade and measuring error is 1.5 percent above and below. The monitoring range is 25-50 metres and the time of measuring one point is 10 mm second.
The sensor has a display, on which two-dimensional temperature graph, three-dimensional heat indication, limit temperature, location of omitted fire-bricks and ring are shown.
Those instruments designed to measure high temperature are now introduced into oxygen-blown blast furnace and other melting furnaces, heating furnaces, and rotating furnaces at cement factories.
Universal free medical care
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- The universal free medical system is one of the most popular and revolutionary policies pursued by the Worker's Party of Korea (WPK) for the past 55 years.
The WPK saw to it that free medical care for the workers, office workers and their family members under the law of social insurance was enforced in the North Korea from January Juche 36 (1947) after Korea's liberation in 1945.
When the Fatherland Liberation War (June 1950-july 1953) was at its height it allotted a great amount of state funds to health care so as to train medical workers and build, rehabilitate and readjust hospitals, clinics and bases for production of medical apparatuses and medicines. As a result, a decision of the cabinet was adopted to enforce the universal free medical care at state expense in November Juche 41 (1952) and the system of free medical treatment was introduced in the North Korea as a whole from January next year.
As the foundations of the independent national economy and firm material and technological foundations for health services were laid after the war, the seventh session of the second Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK adopted a decision on developing the already enforced universal free medical care into a complete and universal free medical care in February Juche 49 (1960). The Korean people have since then enjoyed medical services of higher level.
In those days clinics sprang up in all rural areas and obstetrical and gynecological department and children's wards in cities and counties and section doctor system was in force all over the country.
Diagnosis fees, drug fees, hospital charges, recuperation fees, medical examination and consultations and other medical service fees for prevention are borne by the state. It also gives medical benefits equally and free of charge to all the people regardless of sex, age, vocation, residential district and quality of work done.
Under the leadership of the WPK the universal free medical care was also enforced in the 90s, that witnessed the "arduous march" and the forced march.
WPK praised
New Delhi, September 21 (KCNA) -- Abani Roy, secretary of the central committee of the Revolutionary Socialist Party of India, issued a statement on Setember 14 with the approach of the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea.
He in the statement said:
The WPK is the revolutionary party of Juche type guided by the great Juche idea. The Juche idea is the guideline of the revolutionary struggle and construction in Korea.
The struggle to strengthen the party ideologically and organizationally under the wise guidance of the respected Kim Jong Il has entered a new phase.
He saw to it that all the party members considered loyalty to the leader to be their revolutionary faith and obligation so as to strengthen the ideological unity and cohesion of the party.
He has led the WPK on a long-term basis with his clairvoyant wisdom.
The WPK led by Kim Jong Il who has always set forth strategy of eternal value will advance along the road of victory for ever.
Korean people's struggle for socialism supported
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held in Helsinki on September 14 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Finland-Korea Association.
Present were the chairman of the association and members of the organization of friendship and solidarity with Korea, political, social and academic figures. And a friendship delegation of the DPRK was invited.
At the meeting speakers referred to the positive activities conducted by the association to promote friendly relations between the two peoples for the last 30 years and warmly congratulated the Korean people on the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea.
They said that the WPK founded by President Kim Il Sung and led by General Secretary Kim Jong Il has created remarkable miracles, which give them great encouragement.
To achieve peace and reunification of Korea is an issue of realizing the national desire of the Korean people as well as an important one for global peace and security, the speakers said. They warmly welcomed the recently issued north-south joint declaration.
They stressed that they would expand the friendly ties of the two peoples in the future, too, and fully support the Korean people in their struggle to build a powerful socialist nation.
A letter to the great leader Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
U.S. and S. Korean warhawks flailed
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- Papers here today denounce the U.S. and the South Korean warhawks for going against the aspiration after reunification.
They had "commemorations of half centenary" of a battle fought during the June 25 war at the "battle memorial" near Taegu on Sept. 13 and "commemorations of half centenary of Inchon landing operation" for two days from Sept. 14.
The U.S. was closeted with South Korea in Seoul on Sept. 18 over the issue of lengthening missile range. The 22nd "U.S.-South Korea military committee" opened on Sept. 20 called for "increased joint defence posture" and "strengthened military alliance relations."
Rodong Sinmun in a signed commentary termed all this as an undisguised challenge to the historic north-south joint declaration and an intolerable criminal act of chilling the nation's ardent desire for reunification.
It went on:
The DPRK can not but take a serious view of the U.S. and the South Korean warhawks for embellishing those responsible for the outbreak of the Korean war of aggression and war criminals, calling back the departed soul of war and getting frantic in arms buildup against the north, deadset against the requirements of the times and the nation's desire for reunification.
The U.S. "welcomed" the progress in the north-south relations, "expects" "detente" and "confidence-building" between the north and south through sustained negotiations and will "actively support" them, but, in actuality, it still pursues the policy of confrontation and war against the north.
War and confrontation are incompatible with peace and reconciliation. The U.S. and the South Korean warhawks' provocative outbursts to justify the past Korean War of aggression and get on the nerves of the DPRK are clear indication that they seek war, division and confrontation not peace, reunification and reconciliation.
A signed commentary of Minju Joson says that the people and the people's army of the DPRK will increase the self-reliant national defence capabilities, more tightly holding the arms of revolution to cope with the reckless moves of the U.S. and the South Korean warhawks. They will wipe out the aggressors if they provoke a war of aggression against the north,
Paek Nam Sun leaves for Italy and Yugoslavia
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and his party left here today to visit Italy and Yugoslavia.
They were seen off at the airport by first vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Sok Ju, Yugoslav ambassador to Korea Milorad Kosovac, Chinese charge d'affaires Li Bin, and acting head of the interests section for Germany Hans-Joachim Stechmann.
Agreement adopted at second north-south Red Cross talks
Kosong, September 23 (KCNA) -- The second round of north-south Red Cross talks which opened on Mt. Kumgang on September 20 to discuss humanitarian issues, including more exchange of visiting groups of separated families and relatives, the work of confirming whether they are alive or not and their addresses, exchange of correspondence, the issue of setting up and operating meeting rooms under the north-south agreement came to a close on September 23 with the adoption of an agreement.
At the contacts that continued following the first-day sitting of the talks both sides put forward various proposals for the sincere implementation of the north-south agreement and had serious discussions on a draft for an agreement.
As a result, the two sides worked out an agreement on further exchange of visiting groups of separated families and relatives, the work of confirming whether they are alive or not and their addresses, exchange of correspondence, the issue of setting up and operating meeting rooms and the heads of the two sides signed it to give effect to it.
It is stipulated in the agreement that two more visiting groups of separated families and relatives will be exchanged within this year and the simultaneous exchange of the second visiting group from November 2 to 4 2000 and of the third visiting group from December 5 to 7 will take two nights and three days and the procedures of the exchange of visiting groups will be the same as those of the exchange of the first visiting group that took place on August 15.
It is also stipulated in it that for proper guarantee of the work of confirming whether separated families and relatives are alive or not and their addresses a model phase will be fixed, in which written requests concerning the fate and addresses of 100 persons in the north and south each will be exchanged in September and October and the number will be gradually increased.
Both sides agreed to have exchange of correspondence between the separated families and relatives in the wake of the confirmation of their fate and addresses and to have exchange of correspondence among 300 persons in the north and south each in November as a model.
As to the setting up and operation of the meeting rooms for separated families and relatives and the expansion of the exchange of correspondence they agreed to have the third round of north-south Red Cross talks on Mt. Kumgang from December 13 to 15 to discuss and confirm them.
The adoption of the agreement on the settlement of the humanitarian issues at the second round of the north-south Red Cross talks amidst the expectation and concern of the people at home and abroad will give fresh joy and hope to all the fellow countrymen and greatly help improve the inter-Korean relations.