Symposium of scholars from north and south held
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- A symposium of scholars of the north and the south on the illegality of the Japanese imperialists' occupation of Korea was held here on Thursday.
Present there were scholars in the field of social sciences of the north and historians from the south who came here to participate in the north-south joint exhibition of data.
The symposium heard speeches made by scholars from the north and the south on the subjects of "Illegality of Japanese Imperialists' Occupation of Korea Proven by Data", "Historical Study of Japanese Imperialists' Criminal Aggression and Occupation of Korea ," "'South Korea -Japan Treaty' and Prospect of Signing Korea -Japan Treaty," "Illegality of Japan's 'Annexation' of Korea " and "Examination of Unreasonable Conclusion of Treaties Forced by Japan upon Korea from 1904 to 1910".
The speakers accused Japan of craftily working to justify its aggression and occupation of Korea , talking about their "lawfulness" and "validity", and evade the responsibility for them.
They also cited historical facts to prove that the sheer illegality of the Japanese imperialists' occupation of Korea can never be denied.
They noted that the old "treaties" and "conventions" including "Ulsa five-point treaty," "Jongmi seven-point treaty" and "Korea -Japan annexation treaty" forced by the Japanese imperialists upon Korea were sheer fabrications.
Dismissing the Japanese imperialists' occupation of Korea as totally illegal, they urged the Japanese authorities to honestly repent of Japan's crime-woven past and make an apology and compensation for its crimes committed against the Korea n people.
North-south joint exhibition of historical data opens
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- The north-south joint exhibition of data on the illegality of the Japanese imperialists' occupation of Korea opened at the grand people's study house in Pyongyang yesterday under the cosponsorship of the History Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences of the North and the Saun Institute of the South to mark the 82nd anniversary of the march first popular uprising, a nationwide anti-Japanese patriotic resistance.
On display in the exhibition hall are at least 1,000 data on the Japanese imperialists' illegal occupation of Korea and the criminal colonial rule enforced by them.
Among them are an operation and action map used by the Japanese intruders during the Imjin Patriotic War (1592-1598) and other historical materials telling how the Japanese imperialists cooked up the "Unyo-Maru" incident, guided by the "theory of conquest of Korea ", forced Korea to sign the first shackling "Kanghwa islet treaty" and held the position to dominate Korea after the Qing-Japanese war, doing enormous harm to Koreans.
Also on display are original copies of documents and records testifying to the fact that the Japanese imperialists fabricated the "Ulsa five-point treaty" and "Jongmi 7-point treaty" by militarily threatening the old Korea n government and historical materials telling how they forced the change of power upon the feudal government of the ri dynasty and disorganized the Korea n army to deprive Korea of her sovereign rights.
Exhibits there also include original copies of criminal documents including the "Japan-Korea annexation treaty" and a "telegram on annexation of Korea ," photos and publications and materials on the Japanese imperialists' crackdown upon the Korea n people's anti-Japanese movement for independence.
Jong Chang Gyu, director of the history institute of the academy of social sciences, in an inaugural speech called on the people and historians in the north and the south to always heighten vigilance against the Japanese reactionaries' wrong attitude, roundly expose and denounce their past crimes and wage a nationwide joint struggle for Japan's apology and compensation.
Ri Jong Hak, director of the Saun Institute of South Korea, in his speech said that the Japanese imperialists are responsible for the misfortune and sufferings the Korean nation is now undergoing.
Ri Song Mu, chairman of the South Korean Committee for Editing the National History, in his speech called on the historians in the south and north to study, discuss and cooperate with each other to set right all the distorted aspects of the history of the Japanese imperialists' aggression of Korea.
Tree-planting movement called for
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- Today is the tree-planting day.
Rodong Sinmun today carries news of achievements in planting trees with patriotic feelings to cover the country with thick verdure and Minju Joson an editorial calling upon the masses to turn out in the spring tree-planting movement.
the DPRK has channelled great efforts into afforestation,setting it as an important work for the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people.
Minju Joson in the editorial underscores the need to plant many trees in order to beautify the landscape of the country, develop the economy and improve people's living standard, noting that forests are the precious treasure for the prosperity of the country and happiness of the generations to come.
The editorial says that masses should carry out a nation-wide tree-planting in a short span of time, and calls upon the whole country and all the people to turn out in spring tree-planting.
More than 160 cases of U.S. aerial espionage registered
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- The U.S. imperialists committed more than 160 cases of aerial espionage against the DPRK in February, according to a military source.
Strategic and tactical reconnaissance planes, command planes and electronic warfare helicopters with different missions made shuttle flights from their bases in South Korea and overseas over the forefront and western coastal areas to spy on major targets in the area of the north's side along the Military Demarcation Line.
The frantic espionage committed with the provocative "Hoguk 2001" joint military exercises at hand clearly shows how hard the U.S. imperialists are working to get ready for a war of aggression against the DPRK under the signboard of "peace" and "detente".
Spring tree planting begins
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- Spring tree planting has begun in the DPRK.
The ministry of land and environment protection plans to plant hundreds of millions of trees in the period from march to may, taking the country as a whole.
All the provinces, cities and counties have prepared a sufficient number of saplings of fast-growing trees of great economic value.
Planting of good species of trees including larch, acacia and poplar is now brisk in Pyongyang, north hwanghae and south Phyongan provinces and other regions.
Nice-looking trees including dawn redwood and gingko are being planted on either side of the Youth Hero Motorway, the September 9 Street and the Pyongyang -Hyangsan Tour Motorway and near railways and residential areas.
On March 2, Juche 35 (1946), president kim il sung climbed up Moran Hill in Pyongyang and said that lots of trees should be planted to make it thickly wooded.
This day was set as tree-planting day and a large number of trees are planted on this occasion every year in the DPRK.
Over 140,000 hectares of forests were created in the country last year alone.
New stamp
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has issued a stamp to celebrate the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il.
Printed in the middle of the stamp is Kimjongilia against a background of Jong Il Peak with a dazzling display of fireworks.
Written on the stamp are letters "In celebration of the Birthday of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il" and "February 16".
The ministry has also brought out a commemorative envelope depicting the native home in the secret camp on Mt. Paektu with slogan-bearing trees.
Aerial acrobatics in its golden days
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- Circus is making rapid progress in the DPRK under the state care.
Aerial acrobatics has reached the highest watermark in its development.
A clear proof of this was its success at the 9th Massay International Circus Festival held in France last January.
Over 30 successful pieces were presented at the festival by acrobats from different countries.
The aerial acrobatics "flying girls" presented by DPRK boys and girls was highly acclaimed by the spectators and received the first prize.
Aerial acrobatics in the DPRK dates back to the early 1950s when the Pyongyang circus was established, its maiden number was "duet swinging". The aerial acrobatics has since made progress like other numbers and new items have been added to the program of the circus.
Korea n aerial acrobats have made a performance tour of several countries since early in the 1970s.
The DPRK 's aerial acrobatics has been highly appreciated at the world circus competitions and international circus festivals since the outset of the 1980s.
Korea n aerial acrobats successfully presented treble flip-flap with a simultaneous pirouette, quadruple pirouette in the air and other acts considered as most difficult movements in the world, truthfully representing the feature of each number.
"Aerial flight on the swings", "aerial flight on the bar", "fliers" and other aerial acrobatic items won gold prize, gold lion prize and other prizes at the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, the Wuqiao International Circus Festival in China and other festivals.
DPRK mourners' delegation visits Han Tok Su's residence
Tokyo, March 1 (KCNA) -- The DPRK mourners' delegation headed by vice-president Yang Hyong Sop of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, on a visit to Japan to participate in the ceremony for bidding farewell to the late Han Tok Su, chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), called at his residence on March 1.
They were greeted at his residence by So Man Sul, first vice-chairman of the Chongryon central standing committee who is chairman of the funeral committee for the late Han Tok Su, and ho jong man, its chief vice-chairman who is vice-chairman of the funeral committee, and the bereaved family members.
The members of the delegation observed moment's silence in memory of the late Han Tok Su and expressed deep condolences to his bereaved family members.
The head of the delegation conveyed the words said by leader Kim Jong Il expressing his sorrow over the death of Han Tok Su.
Greetings to foreign minister of Kuwait
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, foreign minister of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber upon his reappointment as first deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the cabinet of the state of Kuwait.
In the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Kuwait would develop on a high stage this year in conformity with the desire of the two peoples, the message wished him success in his responsible work for the sovereignty, peace and progress of the country.
Greetings to prime minister of Kuwait
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Sheich Saad al-Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah, heir to the amir of the state of Kuwait, upon his reappointment as prime minister of its cabinet.
The message extended warm congratulations and friendly greetings to him and expressed the belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would develop on a new high stage.
It wished him great success in his responsible work for the progress and prosperity of the country.