Kim Jong Il inspects KPA unit no. 2752
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il on December 24 inspected unit no. 2752 of the KPA honored with the title of "O Jung Hup's 7th regiment."
Looking round the historic site of the unit twice honored with on-the-spot guidance of the President Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il noted with great satisfaction that soldiers have tended forests in the area they are stationed with good care to create a beautiful landscape.
He went to a training ground and a technical lecture room of the unit and saw a drill of its soldiers. Greatly satisfied to see all the soldiers fully prepared as a-match-for-a-hundred combatants capable of reliably defending the socialist homeland by thoroughly carrying out the policy of the Worker's Party of Korea on training, he set forth highly important tasks which would serve as a guideline in further strengthening the people's army into invincible revolutionary armed forces.
Then, looking round a servicemen's hall, education and bed rooms, a washroom-cum-bathroom, entertainment and supply service facilities, he took warm care of the living of the soldiers as their fathers would do.
He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the unit has not only built all the supply service facilities needed for the living of the soldiers but also created good conditions for meals through meticulous supply services and highly appreciated their achievements.
Saying that the commanding officers of the unit have made signal successes by paying deep attention to managing the unit as those of the anti-Japanese guerrillas did, he told that all the units should follow their example.
He gave a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle to the unit as gifts and had a picture taken with its soldiers.
He was accompanied by Jo Myong Rok, director of the general political department of the KPA, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the KPA, Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, and general officers of the KPA.
The visiting party also included Ri Yong Chol, Pak Song Bong and Jang Song Thaek, first vice department directors of the WPK Central Committee.
Kim Jong Il sees art performance of KPA merited choir
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il enjoyed an art performance given by the merited choir of the KPA together with KPA officers and men on December 24.
Seeing the performance together with him were Jo Myong Rok, director of the general political department of the KPA, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the KPA, Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, Ri Yong Mu, vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, and general officers of the KPA.
Also in the audience were Choe Thae Bok and Kim Kuk Thae, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, department directors and first vice department directors and other leading officials of the WPK Central Committee, senior officials of the press, senior writers, journalists and editors.
The KPA merited choir honored with "Kim Il Sung Order" put on the stage numbers including "Comrade Kim Jong Il Is Our Supreme Commander," "Desire of Soldiers," "March of Soldiers" and "Long March for Army-first Revolution."
The performers sang praises of the immortal feats of Kim Jong Il who has ushered in a new era of a great turn in the history of building a prosperous and powerful nation by leading to victory the Juche-based cause of army building and the cause of socialism with his experienced and seasoned revolutionary guidance.
He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the artistes of the merited choir gave an excellent performance of high ideological and artistic value, which represents the faith and will of Korea and the revolutionary spirit of soldiers.
Saying that the KPA merited choir has instilled matchless strength and valor into the people's army and people advancing under the uplifted red flag by taking the lead in the march in the era of army-first revolution over the past five years, and thus greatly contributed to accomplishing the revolutionary cause, he highly appreciated their success and expressed thanks to them.
Agreement signed between DPRK and Yugoslavia
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- An agreement on the prevention of double taxation on income and properties was signed between the governments of the DPRK and Yugoslavia in Pyongyang today.
It was signed by Jang Song Il, vice-Minister of Finance, and Milorad Kosovac, Yugoslav ambassador to the DPRK.
Yang Hyong Sop meets Chinese state sport delegation
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with the Chinese state sport delegation headed by Yuan Weimin, director of the State Sport General Administration of China, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there was Jang Ung, vice-chairman of the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission of the DPRK.
At the meeting, the head of the delegation said that the traditional Sino-Korean Friendship provided by leaders of the old generation of two countries has grown stronger since the great Kim Jong Il's historic visit to China in May last.
2001 protocol on sport exchange signed between DPRK and China
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- A 2001 protocol on sport exchange was signed between the Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission of the DPRK and the State Sport General Administration of China in Pyongyang today.
Present at the signing ceremony were chairman Pak Myong Chol of the commission and other officials concerned, members of the Chinese state sport delegation headed by director Yuan Weimin of the State Sport General Administration and the charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in the DPRK.
Lecture held by Chongryon
Tokyo, December 23 (KNS-KCNA) -- A lecture was sponsored by the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) at the Korean Hall in Tokyo, Japan, on December 23 on the occasion of the 83rd birth anniversary of anti-Japanese heroine Kim Jong Suk.
Present there were first vice-chairman So Man Sul and chief vice-chairman Ho Jong Man of the central standing committee of Chongryon, and other officials of Chongryon.
The participants saw a video recorded lecture titled "Mother Kim Jong Suk's life shining with great comradeship."
New Korean documentary film released
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- The documentary film studio of the Radio and TV Broadcasting Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea recently released a new documentary film "the Great Annals."
The documentary film shows the indomitable struggle of the Korean people to glorify the 1990s with victories breaking through the rigorous ordeal under the great Kim Jong Il's army-first revolutionary leadership.
It also shows how the Korean people celebrated the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea as a great festival of victors with the achievements made in the 1990s.
Russian paper on Korean socialism
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- The Russian newspaper Pravda on December 21 carried a photo of the great leader Kim Jong Il meeting with Russian President Putin together with an article titled "Washington could not bring Pyongyang to its knees. North Korea keeps to the road of socialist development."
The west tried hard to isolate and stifle the DPRK, but it could not succeed, the article said, and went on:
It is not the west which is exerting influence on Kim Jong Il but he who has great impact on the west.
The United States attempted to destroy socialism in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the period of "nuclear crisis" on the Korean peninsula in March 1993. But at that time Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il demonstrated his courage and resolution. It compelled the U.S. administration to begin a dialogue with North Korea whether Washington liked or not.
The DPRK established official diplomatic relations with Italy, Australia and the Philippines.
There are noticeable positive moves to open state relations between the DPRK and Canada, France, Germany and other western countries.
This clearly proves that the U.S. long-standing blockade against North Korea is collapsing.
Evening gala held
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- An evening gala of the young vanguard of the Ministry of People's Security took place at the plaza in front of the ministry on Dec. 24 on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the election of the great leader Kim Jong Il as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
The function that started with the solemn playing of "Song of General Kim Jong Il" and the display of fireworks was pervaded with absolute worship and trust in Kim Jong Il.
Its participants danced with high pride and honor of being defenders of the revolution to the tune of such songs as "Comrade Kim Jong Il, Lodestar", "Pride of Youth", "One Large Family".
Art performances were given at theatres and houses of culture in the capital city and Hamhung, Chongjin, Wonsan and other local areas on the same day on the occasion of 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.
Colorful functions held abroad
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- Colorful functions were held in various countries 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 and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk.
A video tape "the mass gymnastic display and artistic performance celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea 'ever-victorious Worker's Party of Korea'" was shown at a function held in Moscow on Dec. 21 and there was a photo exhibition under the titles "President Kim Il Sung always finds himself among the people" and "Significant celebrations of the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea."
Speeches were made at the function.
Oleg Shenin, chairman of the Council of the Union of Communist Parties-the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, said that Kim Jong Il, the leader of the Korean people, has firmly defended socialism in the DPRK by wisely leading them, true to the intention of the great leader Kim Il Sung.
Sazhi Umalatova, chairwoman of the Party of Peace and Unity, said that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea enjoys a high international authority as it is led by Kim Jong Il endowed with strong principle and will.
Karpov, first secretary of the central committee of the former Soviet Writers' Union, said that the soldiers of the KPA have sincerely followed Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il.
He is a military strategist who is well versed and erudite in all issues, he added.
V. I. Anpilov, chairman of the executive committee of the "Working Russia" Movement, said that the DPRK has turned into an impregnable fortress as the leader, the party, the army and the people are single-heartedly united.
Alexander Paunov, first secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of Bulgaria, said at a meeting held in Sofia on December 20 that the members of his party and progressive humankind are greatly honored and pleased to observe December 24.
A message of greetings to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
Celebration meetings were held in Pribram city of the Czech Republic, the Kim Il Sung Institute of Agricultural Science of Guinea and the Publishers' Association of Indian Media today from December 12 to 18.
Korean photo exhibitions and film shows were held by the Socialist People's Party of Mexico, artistes' association and a company of Indonesia, Dolphin International Trading Company of India and the joint venture company of Uzbekistan-DPRK Light Industry from Dec. 13 to 18.
Wreath laid before Kim Jong Suk's bust
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- The military attaches' corps here yesterday laid a wreath before the bust of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk at the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery on Mt. Taesong and observed a moment's silence in her memory on the occasion of her 83rd birth anniversary.
Mammoth sit-in strike in S. Korea
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- The housing bank and national bank workers unions on Dec. 23 called a strike for an indefinite period, according to news reports of "Radio No. 1" and MBC of South Korea.
The chairmen of the two unions declared that they would stage a solidarity strike against the forcible merger of the two banks and strike for an indefinite period "till the projected merger is withdrawn".
In that afternoon at least 15,000 unionists pitched hundreds of tents around the training institute of the National Bank in Ilsan and are on a sit-in strike, the reports said.
Earlier, more than 10,000 unionists of the two organizations staged a strike there all night on Dec. 22.
And the "National Federation of Banking Workers Unions" declared that it would go on a general strike on Dec. 28 which will be participated in by 24 banking organs in solidarity with the strikers.
Celebrations held
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- Colorful functions were held in the DPRK to mark December 24, the significant day on which fell 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 indomitable communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk.
Various political functions including meetings and lectures were held at the organs and enterprises at all levels of the capital city and the local areas.
A singing gathering and a meeting of youth and students in Pyongyang were held before the bust of Kim Jong Suk at the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery on Mt. Taesong and the Central Youth Hall to vow their loyalty.
An endless stream of people visited the revolutionary museums and the revolutionary sites including the revolutionary museum of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces which shows exploits performed by Kim Jong Il in army building and Kim Jong Suk's native home in Heoryong city, North Hamgyong Province.
A national fine art exhibition was opened in Pyongyang which shows the exploits he has performed in leading the army and her revolutionary activities.
Colorful art performances such as music and dance performance and concert were given at theaters and halls in the capital city and local areas on these anniversaries.
UN appeal for aid package
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- As already reported, the United Nations recently released an appeal for aid package on offering humanitarian assistance to the DPRK and other countries next year.
A spokesman for the DPRK Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee in a statement welcomed the UN appeal as an expression of the concern and good faith of the international community and appreciated the support and assistance of the international community including the UN as encouragement to the efforts of the Korean people.
In recent years the food production in the DPRK was hard hit by repeated natural calamities.
This year, too, the food production sharply dropped as compared with last year due to severe drought and typhoon damage, seriously affecting the food supply to the people.
In order to bring the difficult situation under control the DPRK has dynamically pushed ahead with a lot of work for the increased grain production including land leveling and rezoning, a project to bring about a radical turn in potato farming and double cropping.
They are optimistic about future though they have to work hard to attain self-sufficiency in food.
Humanitarian aid of the international community encourages the Korean people in their efforts. This year, too, the WFP and other international organizations and various countries provided this kind of aid to the DPRK.
Such international aid to the Korean people has a positive impact on the development of the international relations.
The Korean people are grateful for such humanitarian aid from international organizations and various countries and will always remember it.
They, who set store by the concern, good faith and inspiration of the international community, will make more vigorous endeavors to attain self-sufficiency in food despite difficulties and trials.
Land leveling and rezoning progress apace
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- A land leveling and rezoning project is progressing apace in Korea, which is considered to be a patriotic work of eternal value for the country's prosperity and development.
It started in the autumn of Juche 87 (1998) in Kangwon Province to be followed by that in North Phyongan Province.
Now it is going on in South Hwanghae Province.
The province is the largest granary of the country. The area of land to be realigned in the province is more than 100,000 hectares. The project of the land realignment which is to be carried out at two stages is a grand nature-harnessing work to level at least 400,000 patches and remove about 30,000 km long ridges between rice fields which had been handed down through generations, and repartition them into standardized fields, each covering 1,000-1,500 Phyong.
The first-stage project that started in October this year is to be completed before the sowing season in next spring.
During the period the province will level and rezone 50,000 hectares of land. It has realigned 27,000 hectares of land till mid-December. Yonan and Chongdan counties are going ahead of other counties. The rapid progress of land leveling and rezoning project in Anak, Thaethan, Jaeryong and other counties of the province is changing their appearance beyond recognition.
Soldiers of the people's army and land builders from all provinces in charge of the project carried out their first-stage tasks for autumn in the persevering spirit even under the difficult conditions where they were hard pressed for everything and are now registering fresh successes in the project.
Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's work marked
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- December 25 marks the 5th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's celebrated work "Respecting the Forerunners of the Revolution Is a Noble Moral Obligation of Revolutionaries."
In the work published on December 25, Juche 84 (1995) he proved that respecting the revolutionary forerunners is the requirement of the revolution and a noble moral obligation of revolutionaries. He clearly elucidated the principled matters arising in establishing the moral trait of respecting revolutionary forerunners and promoting the relations of noble sense of moral obligation among people.
Rodong Sinmun today dedicates an article to the anniversary which says:
The last five years have been a period in which the Korean people have defended Korean-style socialism, cherishing the sense of noble moral obligation toward revolutionary forerunners, and a proud history in which the noble human ties have been in full bloom to strikingly demonstrate its advantages.
While steering the revolution and construction Kim Jong Il has channelled great efforts into helping the youth and other people of Korea fully display the noble trait of respecting revolutionary forerunners, the article says, and goes on:
The Korean people's noble revolutionary view on morality has been fully manifested in the fact that they have held the President Kim Il Sung in higher esteem, thoroughly implemented his last instructions while respecting the revolutionary forerunners, loving revolutionary comrades and displaying the noble communist trait in all fields of social life.
The prospect of Korean-style socialism is bright and the Korean revolution is sure to triumph as all the Korean people have a revolutionary view on morality.