Vice-chairman of Chongryon central standing committee here
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- Kwon Sun Hwi, vice-chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, arrived here yesterday by air to visit the socialist homeland.
He was greeted at the air port by director Kim Yu Ho of the bureau for the reception of overseas compatriots and officials concerned.
Dismantlement of concrete wall urged
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) - The Latin American Institute of the Juche Idea, the Costa Rica-Korea Institute of Friendship and Culture and the Costa Rican Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification published a joint statement on December 19 demanding the removal of the concrete wall, a symbol of the north-south confrontation.
The South Korean authorities' best way to show their good faith is to dismantle the concrete wall now that the official dialogues for the reunification are under way on the Korean peninsula and there is the growing desire in the north and south of Korea to see its division ended, the statement said.
It appealed to the people aspiring after independence to lift voices demanding the removal of the concrete wall built by the South Korean authorities to keep Korea divided into two.
Settlement of Japan's crimes related to sexual slavery urged
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- At the women's international war crimes tribunal on Japan's military sexual slavery recently held in Tokyo, victims stressed that only the full apology and compensation are needed, saying that the outrages of the Japanese imperialists went beyond imagination.
Recalling this, Rodong Sinmun yesterday said that Japan should not sidestep the demand of the times.
The historical facts disclosed by testimonies made by victims at the tribunal go to prove that the crimes related to the issue of "comfort women for the army" were organized by the Japanese military and government, the article noted, and stressed:
Despite this hard fact, Japan has denied the past crimes and is trying to evade its responsibility for them at any cost. This clearly shows the impudence and moral baseness peculiar to Japan. Japan's attitude is a challenge and an insult to human conscience desiring peace.
That is why the world is strongly demanding Japan reflect on its past crimes honestly and apologize and compensate for them.
Reception given at Russian consulate general
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- A reception was given at the consulate general of the Russian Federation in Chongjin on December 28 on the New Year Juche 90 (2001).
Invited to the reception were Kim Song Gwon, vice-chairman of the North Hamgyong Provincial People's Committee, and officials concerned.
Present there were consul general Oleg Davidov and members of the consulate general.
Speeches were made at the reception.
Chinese charge d'affaires ad interim hosts reception
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- Li Bin, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese embassy here, hosted a reception at the embassy on December 28 on the New Year Juche 90 (2001).
Invited to the reception were vice-president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyong Sop, Minister of Public Health Kim Su Hak who is also chairman of the central committee of the Korea-China Friendship Association, and other officials concerned.
Members of the Chinese embassy were present.
Speeches were made at the reception.
Minister of Foreign Trade appointed
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- A decree of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on dismissing and appointing the minister of foreign trade of the DPRK was made public on December 28.
According to the decree, Kang Jong Mo was released from the Minister of Foreign Trade and Ri Kwang Gun was appointed to the post.
21st century to augur rosy future for DPRK
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries a political essay titled "We will remember 2000 with deep emotion". Seeing out 2000, the last year of the 20th century, the author says the great leader Kim Jong Il is confident that the 21st century will be a century of victory and glory for Korea, recollecting with deep emotion 2000 as a significant year.
The essay describes 2000 as a year of victory that startled the world with significant historic events in the DPRK.
Noting that 2000 was marked with the meridian of the Korean revolution in the 20th century, the essay goes on: 2000 reviewed the last century of the Korean history that started with the national ruin as a shining victory of socialism and described it as a year that paved the way for building a reunified powerful nation.
The world startling victory in 2000 marked a great event in the 20th century which proved that no country can match the DPRK.
The DPRK achieved historic victory in defending socialism and paved a wide avenue for national reunification. An unbroken chain of landmark events unprecedented in the 5,000-year-long history of the nation took place in the diplomatic field of the DPRK. This is clear evidence of the collapse of the imperialists' persistent blockade against the DPRK and a historic event demonstrating the victory of socialism in the DPRK.
The hero of the history who has glorified 2000 is none other than Kim Jong Il.
He is the great leader produced by the 20th century who has concluded 2000 with shining victory.
Standing on the top of Mt. Paektu in the 20th century, he has steered the world, bringing about a great victory in 2000.
The 21st century augurs a rosy future for the Korean people as they are blessed with the leader.
Final victory is in store for the Korean revolution led by Kim Jong Il, the sun of the 21st century, and socialism is sure to triumph.
The Korean people led by him will enjoy happiness in the powerful socialist country as its masters generation after generation.
Floral basket to Cuban embassy
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il today sent a floral basket to the Cuban embassy here on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the victory in the Cuban revolution.
The floral basket was conveyed to Cuban ambassador Jose Manuel Inclan Embade.
Written on the ribbon hanging from the floral basket were letters "warm congratulations on the 42nd anniversary of the victory in the Cuban revolution. Kim Jong Il".
Three-revolution red flag movement brisk in DPRK
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- The vigorous three-revolution red flag movement has been under way in all parts of the DPRK.
At least 600 units across the country have won three-revolution red flags this year, among them over 70 units twice and thrice three-revolution red flags.
The three-revolution red flag movement is a mass movement to hasten socialist construction through the three revolutions--ideological, technical and cultural.
The movement, which started in Juche 64 (1975), rapidly spread to all units of the country including industrial establishments, co-op farms and scientific, educational and cultural institutions, demonstrating its validity and vitality in practice.
The movement has brought about a change in the people's spiritual and moral traits, way of thinking and work style, significant boost in their revolutionary zeal and rapid progress in production and construction.
The single-hearted unity of the leader, the party and popular masses grew as strong as a rock and the politico-ideological position of the revolution was consolidated in the course of the "arduous march" and the forced march, in particular.
The movement has produced many heroes and heroines of the times and men of merit who devotedly struggle for society and the collective and given fuller play to the traits of working and living in a revolutionary manner, helping and pulling each other along.
Edifices of eternal value and modern industrial establishments appeared in different parts of the country and gigantic nature-harnessing projects including land leveling and rezoning made rapid progress despite manifold difficulties and trials, changing the appearance of the land beyond recognition.
Achievements of world significance have been made in heat engineering, electronics, bio-engineering and other scientific and technological fields.
This year alone, thousands of the latest scientific and technological achievements have been introduced to production to contribute to economic growth.
The three-revolution red flag movement powerfully encourages the Korean people to turn out in building a powerful nation full of confidence and optimism even under the difficult conditions where everything is in short supply.