Anti-DPRK propaganda in South Korea
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- South Korean ultra right conservatives recently invited western venal scholars to Seoul to stage an "international meeting on human rights and refugees of North Korea."
Its participants talked nonsense that the "issue of North Korean refugees" in the northeastern area of China should not be overlooked and it is necessary to "lodge a protest with the Chinese government" to prevent them from being deported to North Korea. They went the length of slandering even the political system in the dignified DPRK.
Their assertions clearly suggest what they sought through this anti-DPRK "meeting on human rights".
This farce staged by those forces in South Korea since last year by bribing venal scholars of the west is aimed to internationalize the DPRK's "human rights issue" in a bid to damage its international prestige and bring the positively improving north-south relations back to the former state of confrontation.
This is clearly proved by the fact that the content of the speeches made by those scholars at the "meeting" were identical to the anti-DPRK false propaganda conducted by South Korean ultra right conservatives in the past.
No matter what rubbish they may talk, there is no "issue of refugees" between the DPRK and China.
It is true that many compatriots travel across the border between the two countries to visit their home towns and relatives as many Koreans live in the northeastern area of China.
These travelers can never be called "refugees."
If there be any issue of border trespassers, it is the matter pertaining to the sovereignty, of the two countries that should be settled by them.
This is the publicly recognized international practice.
Western non-governmental human rights organizations should not be tricked into the anachronistic anti-DPRK smear campaign of the South Korean ultra right conservatives nor should they serve their sinister political purpose of worsening the north-south relations.
Kim Jong Suk's birth anniversary observed abroad
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Hadja Kouta Guiralde, chairwoman of the National Women's Federation of the Party for Unity and Progress of Guinea and member of the parliament, made public a statement on Dec. 14 on the occasion of the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk.
In the statement she said that Kim Jong Suk was the closest revolutionary comrade-in-arms of the great leader President Kim Il Sung and mother of Korea who gave birth to the great leader Kim Jong Il.
She was a competent commanding officer and an able military and political activist, who took part in the anti-Japanese armed struggle in her early years, the chairwoman said, and went on:
After the liberation of Korea she made a great contribution to the cause of building the party, the country and the army while assisting President Kim Il Sung.
The Guinean women should learn from her noble example, she stressed.
Wreaths laid before bust of Kim Jong Suk
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The diplomatic corps here laid a wreath before the bust of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk at the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery on Mt. Taesong yesterday on the occasion of her 83rd birth anniversary.
Present at the wreath-laying ceremony were diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international organizations in the DPRK.
Foreign embassy officials in charge of cultural and friendly relations visited the cemetery on Dec. 21 to lay a wreath before the bust.
Housing and national bank workers unions in S. Korea call strike
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The housing bank workers' union and the national bank workers' union of South Korea called a strike all at once on dec. 22, according to Seoul-based MBC.
Over 50 percent of the employees of the national bank and 30 percent of those of the housing bank did not show up at their offices as of 9 a.m. that day.
Meanwhile, at least 10,000 trade unionists were seen gathered at the training center of the National Bank in Ilsan, Kyonggi Province, that morning, the report added.
Chinese high-ranking official on Sino-Korean relations
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Dai Bingguo, head of the international liaison department of the central committee of the Communist Party of China, in a press interview held on December 19 referred to the relations between the two parties of China and the DPRK.
Calling attention to an unofficial visit to China of the great leader Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Worker's Party of Korea, and the participation of Jiang Zemin, general secretary of the Communist Party of China, in a banquet given at the DPRK embassy in China on the occasion of the 55th founding anniversary of the WPK, he said:
The supreme leaders of the two parties and the two countries exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and regional and international situation and vigorously accelerated the Sino-Korean relations, which contributes to peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in northeast Asia and the rest of the world.
He expressed expectation that high-level contacts between the two parties will go on in the future, too.
Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election celebrated in Russia
Moscow, December 21 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held here on Dec. 19 under the co-sponsorship of the Union of Communist Parties-the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk.
Present there were chairman Oleg Shenin of the Council of the Union of Communist Parties-the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and other political and social figures.
Speakers at the meeting said Kim Jong Il's historic feat is that he set a brilliant example to be followed by all the communists around the world in building and defending socialism and carrying forward the cause of the leader.
Kim Jong Il, an iron-willed commander, is the greatest man who occupies the most distinguished place in the history of great persons and under his wise guidance the DPRK exerts great influence on the world, they stressed.
They praised Kim Jong Suk as a woman revolutionary and heroine of Korea who dedicated all her life to the liberation of the country and happiness of the people.
She devotedly safeguarded President Kim Il Sung, the great leader of the Korean people, and gave birth to Kim Jong Il, the great leader of modern Korea, to give steady continuity to the President's revolutionary cause. This is her greatest feat, they said.
A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
Collection of Kim Jong Il's works published
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The Worker's Party of Korea Publishing House brought out "On the Juche Philosophy", a collection of works, on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
The book contains in chronological order from Juche 63 (1974) to Juche 85 (1996) speeches, talks and other works of Kim Jong Il on the philosophical idea of Juche.
In those works he expounded in a profound and scientific way the unique idea and theories on the Juche philosophy.
Kim Jong Il praised
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- This year witnessed more than 300 seminars on the immortal revolutionary idea and feats of the great leader Kim Jong Il in over 40 countries.
National seminars on Kim Jong Il's celebrated works "On the Juche Idea," "Socialism Is a Science" and "On Preserving the Juche Character and National Character of the Revolution and Construction," a seminar on the Juche idea for the independent progress of Asia in the 21st century and other regional and national seminars were held in different countries including Bangladesh, India, Lebanon, Romania and Bulgaria.
A seminar of political parties in Europe on Kim Jong Il's army-first leadership feats and joint seminars of political parties of Yugoslavia, Italy, Guyana, Nepal, Madagascar and other countries were held amidst great concern of party leaders, many political and public figures.
Northern branch of Finland-Korea Association formed
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The northern branch of the Finland-Korea Association was formed on December 16 on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
At the meeting Antti Siika-aho, chairman of the northern region of the Left-wing Youth Organization, was elected chairman of the branch.
The meeting discussed action program of the branch, including activities for solidarity with the Korean people and study and dissemination of the Juche idea.
A message of greetings to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
Meeting of youth and students held
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A meeting of youth and students in Pyongyang was held on December 22 to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the election of the great leader Kim Jong Il as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
Present at the meeting were Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, and others.
Ri Il Hwan, first secretary of the central committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, made a report. Then followed speeches.
The reporter and speakers said it was the greatest honor and luck of sun's nation to have Kim Jong Il as Supreme Commander of the KPA and a great event that guarantees the accomplishment of the Juche revolution.
Kim Jong Il put forward the idea of attaching importance to military affairs and the original army-first philosophy and made a new history of army-first revolutionary leadership in this land.
His revolutionary history is associated with love and trust such as giving prominence to the young people as the main force of revolution and reliable defenders of the country.
Commemoration functions held
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Functions were held by working people's organizations to celebrate the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
A meeting of trade union members took place on Dec. 21.
It was addressed by chairman of the c.c., the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea Ryom Sun Gil and others.
The speakers said that Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the KPA was a historic event of weighty significance in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche and strengthening the revolutionary armed forces.
They recalled that he has trained KPA to be an army of the leader and the Worker's Party of Korea and an invincible army, propounded the original idea of attaching great importance to the army and led the struggle to defend Korean-style socialism with his army-first revolutionary leadership.
Present at the meeting were kim jung rin, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, and others.
A meeting of agricultural workers and a loyalty concert of women's union members on the subject "solemn pledge made in December" were held to mark the 9th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as KPA Supreme Commander and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk.
Invincible KPA
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The Korean People's Army is united close as a comrade around the respected marshal Kim Jong Il. This is a historic event of great significance in the struggle to carry forward and accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche and the most precious gain of the Korean revolution. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
It is proud appearance of the KPA that the whole army is united around him as a comrade.
All the servicemen form perfectly harmonious whole as they have the same thought, breath and destiny in remaining loyal to him.
The KPA is an army strong in faith and will all the servicemen of which share the will with him and are united around him on the basis of warm comradeship and form invincible ranks of fighters who always share life and death with him.
This proud appearance of the KPA has its main source in his greatness.
The KPA is united close as a comrade entirely because he is held in high esteem as the supreme leader.
His comradely trust and love serve as nutritious elements that firmly united the whole army as a comrade.
His trust and love for the servicemen are based on his noblest views on the army and its soldiers in history.
It is the core of his views on the army and its soldiers that arms is something which a revolutionary should always go with and soldiers with arms of revolution in hands are his closest revolutionary comrades.
His great idea and leadership are the main factor of closely uniting the whole army as a comrade.
He is a rare marshal possessed of the noblest virtue and best military ability.
Let the whole army unite closer around the respected Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il as a comrade this is the maxim of life and struggle and the mainstay of faith for the officers and men of the KPA.
Reception given by Vietnamese ambassador
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Vietnamese ambassador to the DPRK Do Thi Hoa hosted a reception at her embassy on Friday on the threshold of the new year, Juche 90 (2001).
Invited there were a general and officers of the Korean People's Army.
Speeches were made at the reception.
British Group for Study of Juche Idea formed
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The British Group for the Study of the Juche Idea was inaugurated with due ceremony at London University.
Present at the inaugural meeting were Vishwanath, director general of the International Institute of the Juche Idea, Hugh Stephens, general secretary of the British Society for Independence Studies, and personages of various circles.
Chairman of the group was elected at the meeting.
Korean book, photo and handicraft exhibition opens in Guyana
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A Korean book, photo and handicraft exhibition opened in Georgetown on dec. 15 to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk.
Hamilton green, leader of the Good Green Guyana and Mayor of Georgetown, in his speech said that Kim Jong Il is an iron-willed commander who built up the KPA into an ever-victorious army and that miracles wrought in the DPRK would have been unthinkable without his wise leadership.
Robert Williams, general secretary of the Good Green Guyana and deputy mayor of the city, noted that Kim Jong Suk is a great revolutionary fighter who was born into a patriotic family and took part in a bloody war for the liberation and independence of Korea with arms in hands in her early years and Korea today is shining with her great feats.
Anniversary of opening of diplomatic ties between DPRK and Democratic Congo marked
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting was held at the DPRK embassy in Kinshasa on Dec. 15 to mark the 28th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Democratic Congo.
The diplomatic advisor to the Democratic Congolese President in his speech extended the greatest glory to the great leader Kim Jong Il on the anniversary and hoped that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would further develop.
The general secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that he keenly felt the greatness of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il's army-first politics and that the DPRK's cause of building a powerful nation and Korea's reunification would surely be realized in the near future under his guidance.
Screened at the meeting was a video film "Military Parade and Civilian Demonstration for Celebration of 55th Anniversary of Glorious Worker's Party of Korea."
Nationwide struggle for Korea's reunification called for
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries an article captioned "National reunification can be achieved through nationwide struggle of all the fellow countrymen."
The article says:
We are seeing out the 20th century marked with the nation's misfortune and sufferings and seeing in a new century. It is high time all the Koreans in the north, south and abroad turned out as one in a more dynamic struggle to achieve the historic cause of the country's reunification.
The historic June 15 north-south joint declaration is a declaration of national independence, a declaration orientated toward reunification and a declaration of national unity which solemnly stated that the Korean nation, responsible for the issue of national reunification, should solve the issue independently by concerted efforts.
It is necessary to thoroughly implement the three-point charter of national reunification and the five-point policy of the great unity of the whole nation in order to carry through the joint declaration.
The keynote of the three-point charter of national reunification is the three principles -- independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity -- the ten-point programme of the great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo. It is an immortal great programme for reunification in which fundamental principles and ways of the country's reunification are comprehensively formulated and systematized.
The five-point policy of the great unity of the whole nation is a banner of great national unity which gives comprehensive answers to all the matters arising in achieving the great national unity at present, reflecting the actual conditions of the north and the south of Korea where differing ideologies and systems have existed for a long time and the unanimous desire of the whole nation for reunification.
Only when the Korean nation thoroughly implements the three-point charter of national reunification and the five-point policy of the great national unity can it achieve the historic cause of national reunification with its united strength as early as possible.
South headquarters of Pomminryon to struggle for legitimate right
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon), at its recent presidium meeting, defined it as a main action program for next year to concentrate efforts on the struggle for legalization of itself and the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon), according to the Seoul-based "Yonhap News" (internet).
An official of the organization announced this plan, saying that Pomminryon has been unable to declare even an assembly as it was defined as an organization benefiting the enemy and that many students have been arrested on the mere charge of their involvement in Hanchongryon.
Earlier on December 8, the organization formed a committee of investors behind Pomminryon and decided to hold a "meeting for legalization" with its members and, at the same time, a "meeting for Pomminryon's legalization" in February next year.
U.S. report on Rogun-ri mass killings dismissed as invalid
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The South Korean newspaper Hangyore (internet) on December 20 reported that the Measure Committee for the Probe Into Mass Killings of Civilians in Rogun-ri dismissed the report of the U.S. side on the incident as "a trick to falsify the truth."
Chairman of the committee Jong Un Ryong in an interview at the National Press Center in Washington on December 19 asserted that the report of the U.S. side worked out on the initiative of the secretary of the U.S. Army is invalid as it was fabricated by threatening to prosecute ex-soldiers and appeasing them and urged the South Korean authorities to publish a true report on the basis of the investigation conducted by the South Korean investigation group.
Turning to the consultation between the governments of South Korea and the United States about the compensation to the victims, he said that "this issue belongs to the rights of the victims and the authorities, therefore, should not sign any agreement contrary to the will of the victims. The victims authorized the defence panel to settle all issues including compensation, he added.
In this regard, counselor Michael Choe disclosed that the U.S. side destroyed evidence by disposing of all materials related to the Rogun-ri incident kept in the U.S. national archives.
Congratulatory message to Romanian President
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on December 20 sent a congratulatory message to Ion Iliescu on his reelection as President of Romania.
The message sent warm congratulations to the President and wished him success in his responsible work for the prosperity of the country.
It expressed belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would develop on good terms in the future, too.
9th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of KPA celebrated
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A national meeting took place at the April 25 House of Culture today to celebrate the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
Present there were Kim Yong Nam, Jo Myong Rok, Hong Song Nam and other senior party and state officials.
Vice marshal Kim Yong Chun, member of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and chief of the KPA general staff, made a report "let us glorify the new century by building a powerful and prosperous nation under the army-first leadership of the respected Supreme Commander."
He said:
It was a great national event for all the officers and men of the people's army and the people that Kim Jong Il was elected Supreme Commander of the KPA to lead the revolutionary armed forces. And it was a historic event of epochal significance in carrying out the Juche-based cause of army building and pushing the Korean revolution.
The supreme commandership held by him over the revolutionary armed forces enabled the people's army and the people to firmly defend the cause of army building and socialist cause and vigorously accelerate them despite the harsh trials of history and powerfully demonstrate the dignity and might of Kim Il Sung'S. Korea and Kim Il Sung's nation to the world.
Noting that Kim Jong Il has developed the KPA into ever-victorious steel strong ranks of fighters by providing army-first revolutionary leadership, the reporter continued:
The Juche-oriented commanding system and revolutionary military discipline have been established in the whole army and the ideological and moral traits of its soldiers have undergone a radical change.
It is the proud appearance of the KPA, the revolutionary armed forces of the WPK that the spirit of devotedly defending the leader and the trait of thoroughly implementing the line of the WPK prevail in the KPA and all the servicemen are united close around the Supreme Commander in thought and purpose and in morality and the sense of obligation. Herein lies the essential character and the main source of invincible might of the KPA distinguishable from any other armies.
The KPA has become strong elite armed forces equipped with modern offensive and defensive means capable of defeating any enemy thanks to the successful implementation of the policy of training the whole army into a cadre army and modernizing it.
It is the most important state affair to consolidate the defenses of the country as firm as an iron wall by giving priority to the military affair, the reporter said, calling for training the revolutionary armed forces into ever-victorious army, true to Kim Jong Il's idea of attaching great importance to the military and army-first revolutionary leadership.