Independent reunification of Korean nation called for
Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- It is the basic spirit of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration for the Korean nation to reunify the country by its own efforts, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article.
The article goes on:
The basic spirit of the joint declaration is to settle the reunification question of the country independently by concerted efforts of the people in the north and the south who are responsible for it.
The reunification question of the country is an internal affair of the nation as it is an issue of reunifying the country and nation divided by outside forces against its will.
The reunification question can never be settled by depending on others. Outside forces are not interested in the reunification of Korea, but in its division.
Only when the Korean people pool their efforts and will can they settle the reunification question, and they should do so under all circumstances. Everything can go on well when they solve the reunification question by their own efforts in that sense of responsibility and with that consciousness.
There is no doubt that the door of reunification will be opened when the whole nation pool their efforts from the transparent independent stand that they are responsible for the reunification of the country in the spirit of the joint declaration.
In order to open the door of the reunification by the Korean nation's efforts in the spirit of the joint declaration it is imperative to steadfastly maintain the stand of national independence.
The principle of national independence is a fundamental principle of national reunification. Only when everything is subordinated to the dignity and interests of the nation from the steadfast stand of national independence can the reunification question be properly settled.
In order to open the door of reunification by the Korean nation's efforts it is also necessary for the whole nation to unite under the banner of reunification.
Only when the Korean nation is firmly united can they fully discharge their responsibility and role as the driving force of reunification, remove all the obstacles lying in the way of national reunification and bring about a dawn of reunification.
Kim Jong Il's work released in Nepal
Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- A ceremony of releasing leader Kim Jong Il's famous work "Socialism Is What Keeps Our People Alive" was held in Baktapur city, Nepal, on February 14.
Present there were member of the parliament Narayan Man Bijukchhe who is chairman of the Central Committee of the Nepal Worker-Peasant Party and people from all walks of life.
Invited there were the DPRK ambassador to Nepal and embassy officials.
The chairman of the c.c., the Nepal worker-peasant party spoke at the ceremony.
Greetings to Gambian President
Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on Feb. 15 sent a message of greetings to Gambian President Yaya A. J. J. Jammeh on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the independence of Gambia.
Congratulating the president and people of Gambia on the independence day, the message wished them great success in their work for the national unity and prosperity of the country.
Letter to Kim Jong Il from Ri In Mo
Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a letter from former unconverted long-term prisoner Ri In Mo, incarnation of faith and will, on Feb. 16 on the occasion of his birthday.
Ri in his letter said it was the great fortune of the Korean people and humankind and the highest honour in history that kim jong il was born to be a general of Mt. Paektu and a great sun of human love.
He wrote:
My faith is growing stronger day by day though I am declining in health as a man well over 80 years old. this is because your boundless love for me has been my mainstay and served as a source of my faith and will.
It is your unshakable view that love is more powerful than a sword and virtue wins the whole world. Your love will help build a powerful socialist nation on this land, bring the reunification to the 70 million fellow countrymen and enable them to glorify the 21st century as kim jong il century.
Kim Jong Il's birthday celebrated by overseas Koreans
Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Compatriots overseas held colorful events to celebrate leader Kim Jong Il's birthday.
A celebration meeting of Koreans in Russia took place in Moscow on Feb. 13 under the sponsorship of the united confederation of Koreans in Russia.
A report made by Ri Tong Chol, chairman of the confederation, at the meeting was followed by speeches.
The reporter and speakers said that socialism has been firmly defended and world-startling events have taken place in the DPRK, adding that these developments are the result of Kim Jong Il's outstanding and seasoned leadership. They manifested their resolution to make a positive contribution to the work to implement the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
A celebration meeting was also held in Uzbekistan on Feb. 11 under the sponsorship of the international united confederation of Koreans where speeches were made and a performance was given by Korean artistes.
Letter to Kim Jong Il from former unconverted long-term prisoners
Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a letter from 63 former unconverted long-term prisoners on Feb. 16, his birthday.
The letter said that Kim Jong Il's birth was a great auspicious event for the Korean nation and humankind which promised them a successful succession to the revolutionary cause of Juche and a bright future of Korea and humankind.
It is thanks to you that our country is shedding its rays as an impregnable socialist fortress and the Korean people enjoy highest dignity and honour in the nation's history spanning 5,000 years, the letter noted, and continued:
We could remain true to our faith and constancy despite savage torture and appeasement for 30 to over 40 years of our prison life because you bestowed upon us love, trust and indomitable spirit to brave death and instilled into us confidence that the Korean revolution which started on Mt. Paektu was certain to triumph.
Though it is only half a year since we came into the care of the party and the fatherland, we have keenly realized how warm and noble your love for the revolutionary soldiers is.
The letter said that under the guidance of kim jong il they would devote themselves to carrying to completion the revolution which started under the leadership of President Kim Il Sung.
Letter to Kim Jong Il from O Ik Je
Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- A congratulatory letter was presented to leader Kim Jong Il by O Ik Je, vice-chairman of the committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, on Feb. 16 on the occasion of his birthday.
He said in his letter:
Your birth gave a bright hope for independence to the Korean nation, humankind and new century. It is thanks to you that the Korean nation, blessed with the eternal sun of Juche, is demonstrating the dignity and honor of being sun's nation to the whole world.
Your steadfast spirit of national independence produced the army-first politics, gave origin to the great history of defending the socialist fatherland and glorified the revolutionary history of creation and advance to pave the wide avenue for building a rich and powerful nation through the "arduous march".
Your politics of independence, unity and patriotism are pulling down the barrier of division as snow is thawing with the advent of spring and the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration serves as a banner of the independent reunification.
The spirit of national independence taught by you serves as a bright beacon for the new century and an invincible banner.