Functions held in Dominica in support of proposal for founding DFRK
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- A Korean book, photo and handicraft exhibition, film show and friendly gathering took place at Santo Domingo Autonomous University, Dominica, from Oct. 27 to 30 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo (DFRK).
On display there were Korean books including famous works of the great leaders President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il and photos showing the Korean people's efforts to build a powerful nation and handicraft.
Speakers at the functions expressed positive support and solidarity with the Korean people in their struggle to reunify the country independently and peacefully and stressed that they would develop the friendly and cultural exchange between the two countries.
Screened at the film show were "Native Home in Secret Camp on Mt. Paektu" and other Korean films.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from IRNA president and his party
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the president of the Islamic Republic News Agency of Iran and his party.
The gift was handed to Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, by President Fereydoun Verdinejad on a visit to the DPRK.
Reckless remark of S. Korean Red Cross president
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- Those who are due to go to Seoul as members of the second visiting group of separated families and relatives are bitterly denouncing the recent outburst and irresponsible behaviour of the president of the South Korean Red Cross.
Kim Yong Hwang, teacher of the Korean linguistics department of Kim Il Sung University, said:
The inter-Korean relations are switching to those of trust and reconciliation from those of distrust and confrontation following the historic Pyongyang meeting and the publication of the north-south joint declaration.
Multi-faceted dialogues and contacts are now under way between the north and the south and the work for the exchange of visiting groups of separated families and relatives is making progress.
It was against this backdrop that the President of the South Korean Red Cross at an interview with a magazine censured as an ultra right-wing magazine in South 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. This cannot but be construed otherwise than a sinister remark beyond imagination.
No matter what he meant by such remark, this should never be uttered by a Red Cross official. His remark is contrary to the basic spirit of the historic north-south joint declaration and deliberately lays an obstacle to the settlement of the humanitarian issue.
Today the Koreans in the north and the south who have long lived in confrontation are going in for reconciliation, unity and reunification. If those who are directly responsible for dialogue, cooperation and exchange behave against common sense instead of respecting the other party and keeping etiquette before anyone else, it will bring irrevocable consequences.
The president of the South Korean Red Cross should frankly admit his wrongdoing and own full responsibility for what he has done, forgetful of his duty.
We together with all the people in the North Korea greatly angered by his anti-DPRK diatribe will closely follow his future behaviour.
Reception given by polish charge d' affaires ad interim
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- Mieczyslaw Dedo, Polish charge d' affaires ad interim to the DPRK, gave a reception at the embassy yesterday on the occasion of the independence day of Poland.
Invited to the reception were Choe Su Hon, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri Song Ho, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, officials concerned and foreign diplomats here.
Speeches were made there.
GI sentenced to reduced prison term
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- Seoul high court on Nov. 7 "sentenced" McCarthy, private of the U.S. forces in South Korea who had brutally murdered a barmaid in Rithaewon-dong, to 6 years in prison, two years shorter than the prison term demanded at the first hearing, according to Radio No. 1 of South Korea.
This killer should have been condemned to capital punishment.
But the high court not only reduced the short prison term passed on the criminal at the first trial but ruled that he would be under the "protection" of the U.S forces side without being subject to arrest under the humiliating "Status of Forces Agreement".
Such decision of the high court on the monstrous crime of the GI is nothing but protection of the murderer.
Delegation of south side leaves
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the south side left here today after participating in the second working-level contact for north-south economic cooperation.
It was seen off at the airport by representatives of the north side to the contact.
2nd contact for inter-Korean economic cooperation held
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- The second working-level contact for inter-Korean economic cooperation was held here from November 8 to 11.
At the contact both sides discussed the draft agreements on the protection of investment, the prevention of double taxation, the procedures of solution to disputes and the settlement of accounts, which are instrumental in providing an institutional guarantee for the north-south economic cooperation, and reached a consensus on them.
It was decided that the four agreements would be adopted at the fourth round of inter-Korean ministerial talks after they are signed by the heads of the two sides' delegations.
The two sides agreed to strive to expand and develop the economic cooperation between the north and the south for the balanced development of the national economy, true to the historic north-south joint declaration.