Kim Jong Il inspects various places
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il provided on-the-spot guidance to the Anbyon Youth Power Station, the Naephyong Power Station and the sideline farm of KPA unit no. 549 on November 7.
His retinue included Jo Myong Rok, first vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and director of the general political department of the KPA, Kim Yong Chun, member of the NDC of the DPRK and chief of the general staff of the KPA, Kim Il Chol, vice-chairman of the NDC of the DPRK and Minister of the People's Armed Forces, KPA generals Hyon Chol Hae, Pak Jae Gyong, Kim Kuk Thae and Kim Yong Sun, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, and Pak Song Bong and Jang Song Thaek, first deputy department directors of the WPK Central Committee.
He went first to the Anbyon Youth Power Station.
The power station is a grand monumental edifice built by people's army soldiers and people of Korea in the spirit of self-reliance so as to implement the last teachings of the President Kim Il Sung given to the KPA as regards socialist economic construction and carry out the far-reaching plan of the WPK to make a breakthrough in the building of a powerful socialist country in resolving the problem of electricity before anything else. This is also a labour gift presented by them to the party and the country on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the WPK.
He acquainted himself in detail with its construction.
Overlooking it, he noted with great satisfaction that the people's army soldiers and builders completed the difficult and vast second-stage project of the station, one of the leading hydro-power centers in the DPRK, in a little over three years and showed high appreciation for their great exploits.
He noted that the station is a great miracle which can be wrought only by the KPA soldiers who are firmly determined to flatten mountains and empty seas and thus carry through what the party wants.
He gave highly important tasks which would serve as a guideline in keeping electric production going at a high rate.
The next leg of his guidance was the Naephyong Power Station built by KPA unit no. 549.
Looking round the station, an edifice dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the WPK, he was greatly satisfied to see the modern power station with a high capacity built by servicemen of the unit.
He highly appreciated their proud feat, saying that they could erect a world startling great edifice in the historic period of victoriously concluding the "arduous march" and forced march as they built such a huge power station on their own efforts.
He called on the whole society to earnestly learn from the spirit of our servicemen, noting that they built such a modern power station with bare hands at a time when they were hard pressed for everything.
Recalling that the soldiers of the KPA are playing a vanguard role in the worthwhile drive for building a powerful nation, he said this is noble patriotism and love of the people which can be displayed only by our army intensely faithful to the country and the people.
He set forth tasks to be carried out by the station to manage and operate it and make an effective use of the produced electricity.
Then Kim Jong Il guided the work on the sideline farm.
Greetings to Cambodian King
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, today sent a message of greetings to Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia, on the Occasion of the 47th anniversary of the independence of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Under the energetic leadership of the king, the brave Cambodian people opened a bright prospect for the construction of a new sovereign, independent society by achieving the independence of the country through a long struggle against colonialists, the message said.
It said after the independence the fraternal Cambodian people overcame all sorts of difficulties and trials and made great progress in the struggle for defending the sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace and stability of the country and realizing the national unity and reconciliation.
Saying that the Korean people sincerely rejoice as their own over the successes gained by the industrious and courageous Cambodian people in consolidating independence of the nation and rehabilitating and developing the national economy under the guidance of the royal government of Cambodia, true to the noble intention of the king, it expressed belief that a new Cambodia as prospering as in the Angkor era, is sure to be built.
In the belief that the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries based on the same intimacy forged between the great leader Kim Il Sung and the King as that between real brothers will grow stronger and develop, it wished the King greater success in accomplishing his noble, patriotic cause as well as good health and happiness.
Delegation of south side here
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the south side arrived here today to participate in the 2nd working-level contact for north-south economic cooperation for the implementation of the north-south joint declaration.
The delegation was greeted at the airport by representatives of our side to attend the contact.
Gift to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.
It was conveyed to an official concerned by head of its delegation Song Baoxian, vice-president of the institute, on a visit to the DPRK.
Choe Thae Bok meets Mongolian ambassador
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and conversed with Damdiny Byamba, Mongolian ambassador to the DPRK who paid a farewell call on him, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Meanwhile, DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun also met the ambassador.
S. Korean Red Cross urged to honestly admit his wrong
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the central committee of the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued a statement today in connection with a letter sent by the president of the South Korean Red Cross in which he said "he felt regretful for getting on the nerves of the north side and hurting its feelings".
The statement said:
Recently the South Korean Red Cross president in an interview with the October issue of "Monthly Korea" described the meeting of separated families and relatives, a noble humanitarian undertaking, as an issue of confrontation between the systems in the north and the south. He went the length of slandering the dignified political system in the north and way of life under man-centred socialism of Korean style.
This compelled the central committee of the Red Cross Society of the DPRK to release a statement on November 3 in which it clarified the principled stand that it would not talk with him as long as he remains the president of the South Korean Red Cross, that it would be hard to settle such humanitarian issues as alleviating misfortune and sufferings of the separated families and relatives as long as he deals with the issue and that it cannot but re-examine the exchange of the second visiting groups of separated families and relatives and inter-Korean Red Cross talks.
In this connection, the president of the South Korean Red Cross in a letter sent to our side on November 4 noted that he felt "regretful for getting on the nerves of the north side and hurting its feelings, justifying himself by asserting that "some of the content of an article of the 'Monthly Korea' was wrongly expressed against his will and there was something distorted."
One should frankly admit his wrongdoing and make an honest and sincere apology for this.
We hardly think that with a few words such as "distorted report" and regret" the president of the South Korean Red Cross can clear away the adverse effect his remark had on the settlement of the humanitarian issue and redeem his crime of insulting us.
If he sincerely reflects on his wrongdoing and hopes for the smooth progress in the solution of the humanitarian issue, he should show a more honest attitude to the nation.
We are of the view that if the content of his interview was wrongly expressed and distorted against his will as he said, he should lodge an official protest with the "Monthly Korea" against this and take an action demanding its correction. At the same time, he should urge the "Monthly Korea" to admit its release of a distorted report about the interview and make an official apology to the nation.
We cannot consider his letter to be honest unless these points are solved.
We will follow his behaviour.
Socialism will be everlasting
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- Socialism will be everlasting under the leadership of the respected Kim Jong Il, an outstanding thinker and theoretician and a great statesman.
B. C. Gupta, chief editor of the Indian magazine Social Look, said this in a statement on November 2.
Kim Jong Il published the famous work "Socialism Is a Science" six years ago and showed the bright road ahead of the revolutionary people of the world, he said, and went on:
When the whole world focussed on the way which the DPRK would follow, Kim Jong Il authored this work and showed a short cut to carrying to completion the socialist cause of Juche.
Indeed, the work clearly proved once again the greatness of Kim Jong Il, a rare philosopher, outstanding statesman and the supreme incarnation of faith and will.
The socialist cause will be defended and advanced by the unshakable faith.
Under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, a great man with the iron faith, the Korean people have grown to be the men of faith and will.
S. Korean workers demand vital rights
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- At least 500 unionists of the "Federation of Korean Trade Unions" staged a rally in Seoul on Nov. 3 in protest against the authorities' plan to remove business bodies, according to Radio No. 1 of South Korea.
At least 700 workers of the Samsung Auto Company torched trucks produced by the company in protest against the authorities' decision to disorganize the company and demanded vital rights on the same day, according to Seoul-based MBC.
They strongly demanded measures to guarantee vital rights to the workers, stating that the measure to shut down business bodies by unilateral standards forces sacrifices upon them.
Press conference on Independence Day of Poland
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- Mieczyslaw Dedo, charge d'affaires ad interim of Poland to the DPRK, held a press conference at the Taedonggang Club for the Diplomatic Corps on Nov. 7 on the occasion of the Independence Day of Poland.
He introduced the political situation in Poland and progress made in the economic field including electronics and foreign trade and referred to the developing relations between Poland and the DPRK.
Present there were mediapersons in Pyongyang and officials concerned.
21st birth of triplets this year
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- There was the 21st birth of triplets at the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital on Nov. 6.
Yun Chun Bok residing in Waudo district, Nampho, gave easy births to boy triplets. The first weighed 1.7 kg, the second 1.6 kg and the third 1.5 kg.
Their father is a worker of the land and medium and small river construction company of Waudo district.
Yun has been under the care of medical workers of the hospital for over 90 days since Aug. 5.
She is now in good health as she could take wild honey and tonics and her babies are under good care in the incubators under the socialist free health care system.
The Pyongyang maternity hospital has a record of 277 births of triplets since its opening.
Yaksandongdae, Korea's scenic spot
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- Yaksandongdae, one of the scenic spots of Korea, rises beside the bank of the Kuryong River nearly two km away from the seat of Nyongbyon county, North Phyongan Province.
It presents a beautiful scenery because of Hakbyoru, overhanging cliffs formed of rocks piled in tiers and stones in a multitude of shapes above the face of clean water of the Kuryong River, the ridge of Tongdae with thick forest, Jeil Peak 488 metres above the sea level, the main peak of Yaksandongdae, and Hakguiam Waterfall forming a rainbow.
Tongdae at the time of sunrise looks like a crane flying through clouds. Clouds coming down from the top of Jeil Peak remind one of "fairies" descending from the sky on a rainbow.
From the top of Tongdae one can enjoy a bird's eye view of splendid scenery.
Yaksandongdae looks particularly picturesque in spring.
When spring comes azaleas are in full bloom in every place including cliffs, between rocks, in sites of old castle, on peaks and in every valley and light pink color is seen on the Kuryong River meandering along the foot of the mountain.
There is also silk named "Yaksandan" in the DPRK, the brand given by this beauty spot.
There are several old buildings belonging to the period of Koryo dynasty such as Chonju Temple, Soun Temple and Ryuksung Temple and a strong castle associated with tales about patriotic struggles of forefathers.
Yaksandongdae attracts many tourists.
Video on celebrations of WPK birthday made in S. Korea
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- The Paektu Society in South Korea made a video cassette which recorded the functions held in Pyongyang to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea, Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation quoted the Seoul city committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea as saying.
Contained in the cassette entitled "Fascinating Festival" are scenes of military and civilian parades, at which people were giving enthusiastic cheers to General Secretary Kim Jong Il mass gymnastic display and art performance and other celebrations.
The cassette is now being appreciated by broad segments of South Korean people, rousing their boundless reverence for Kim Jong Il who has strengthened the WPK into a revolutionary party of Juche and welded the army and people together in mind into a big family.
Great national unity called for
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries a signed article captioned "The great unity of the whole nation precisely means national reunification."
The great unity of the Korean nation is now required more urgently than ever before, the article says, and continues:
The cause of national reunification is a national cause of relinking the blood ties of the nation divided into the north and the south and achieving national unity. The country's reunification would have been unthinkable without the national reconciliation and unity. The great unity of the whole nation is a sure guarantee for the country's reunification and this precisely means national reunification.
The great national unity should strictly be based on the principle of national independence.
Only when the great national unity is achieved on this principle can the driving force of the nation be strengthened and can it play the role of an engine for the country's reunification.
Though classes and strata of the nation differ from each other in their requirements and interests national reunification is the primary task before it.
All Koreans in the north, south and abroad should rise above the interests of the classes and strata and unite close under the banner of patriotism and national reunification, irrespective of different ideas and systems, political views and religious beliefs.
It is necessary for the compatriots to have frequent exchange of visit, contacts and dialogue and achieve unity and solidarity. All the political parties, organizations and compatriots from all walks of life in the north, south and abroad should support each other and take positive common steps and joint actions in their efforts for national reunification.
There is a bright prospect of the great national unity and the country's reunification.
The Korean nation will surely achieve great unity under the banner of the country's reunification, true to the leadership of the great Kim Jong Il, and thus accomplish the historic cause of national reunification.
Japan's entreaty diplomacy under fire
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- The Japanese Prime Minister, when meeting with the French President in October, asked him to help find a solution to the issue of "kidnapping" by the DPRK. Recently the Japanese Foreign Minister was reported to have begged the U.S. State Secretary to call for "clarification of the suspected kidnapping" and raise the "missile issue" during her visit to the DPRK.
In this connection Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary says: Lurking behind Japan's mean diplomacy is its intention to impair the daily rising international authority of the DPRK and internationalize the "issue of kidnapping".
Big and small countries of the world are vying with each other to get in touch with the DPRK to improve relations with it.
The United States, which has long been hostile towards the DPRK, is opting to improve its relations with the DPRK.
It is already a decade since Japan came out to the talks with the DPRK, but no one can tell when the DPRK-Japan relations will improve.
It is an expression of flunkeyism and dependence on outside forces that Japan tries to solve its problem related to its foreign relations with the help of big countries, instead of settling it by itself.
Japan should honestly redress its past crimes before anything else, if it wants to have good-neighborly relationship with the DPRK.
The relations between the DPRK and Japan will never get warm if Japan sidesteps the basic problem and persistently raises a hue and cry over "suspected kidnapping", a fiction, in a bid to achieve a sinister political aim.