Diplomatic relations between DPRK and Federative Republic of Brazil
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- A joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Federative Republic of Brazil was released on Friday.
The communique reads:
The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the government of the Federative Republic of Brazil, following bilateral conversations held in New York and desirous of developing relations of friendship and cooperation between their two countries, decided to establish diplomatic relations.
The two countries affirm their willingness to develop their mutual relations on the basis of full respect for the principles of equal rights and mutual respects for their sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations charter and the dispositions of the Vienna conventions on diplomatic and consular relations, so as to contribute to world peace and stability and to work for the promotion of economic development, human rights, disarmament and non-proliferation.
The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the government of the Federative Republic of Brazil have agreed to exchange ambassadors at a mutually convenient time.
Turkish women praise DPRK
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Members of the delegation of the women's association for the Republic of Turkey headed by Cenal Sarihan, chairwoman of the association, when interviewed by mediapersons in Pyongyang on March 8, were unanimous in saying that the Korean people are dignified and proud people firmly defending socialism.
Saying that she got deep impressions of the DPRK which she has visited for the third time, Cenal Sarihan said that the Korean people have registered many achievements in socialist construction under the leadership of President Kim Il Sung.
Noting that the DPRK considers man as a precious being, she referred to the fact that women are guaranteed the same political freedom and rights as men in the DPRK. They are contributing to social progress with a single mind, she added.
Deputy heads of the delegation Yuzel Erdener and Ferihan Yulmazdoan said that during their stay in Pyongyang they came to know well about the revolutionary exploits made by the president. His precious experience and feats will be deeply cherished in the hearts of the Korean people, they added.
Letter to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a letter from the participants in the seminar on the Juche idea for the independent development of Africa in the 21st century held in Uganda last February.
The letter said that under the banner of the Juche idea fathered by President Kim Il Sung there began an era of independence and African nations achieved independence through a vigorous struggle and energetically embarked upon building a new society.
Noting that the popular masses' cause of independence is being successfully carried forward and pushed forward by Kim Jong Il, the letter stressed that he successfully concluded the "arduous march" by providing unique army-first revolutionary leadership and laid a solid foundation to build a powerful nation. This proves his outstanding political ability and the great vitality of the Juche idea, it added.
Bearing deep in mind that the future of Africa hinges on the popular masses, they will work hard to build new independent Africa along the road indicated by the Juche idea, the letter said.
Rally for national independence held in S. Korea
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- A rally was reportedly held in Seoul on March 1 to vow to inherit the spirit of the march first popular uprising and achieve national independence against foreign forces. It was co-sponsored by the south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon), the National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification, the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils, the National Council for Independence and Reunification and the South Korean Youth League.
This spirit was displayed by Korean patriotic resistance fighters in the struggle against the Japanese imperialist aggressors in March 1919.
At the rally the chairman of the south headquarters of (Pomminryon) made a political speech and an open letter to the U.S. and Japan was read out.
At the end of the rally participants tore off flags of the U.S. and Japan.
The letter said it is an intolerable challenge to the Korean nation that the U.S. is trying to bring back the south-north relations to those in the past under the present situation and demanded it stop unjust domination and interference in South Korea and immediately pull back its forces, the root cause of vices, from there.
If Japan turns to the revival of militarism, refusing to make an honest apology for its past crimes and atrocities, it will meet strong resistance of all the Asian nations and will not escape from a disgraceful defeat, the letter warned.
Nirvana Day commemorated
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Masses to commemorate 2545 B.E. Nirvana were held at temples across the country on March 9.
Present there were office-bearers of the central committee of the Korean Buddhist Federation, all its provincial, city and county committees, chief priests and monks of temples and Buddhists.
Rites were followed by speeches.
Speakers said that they significantly commemorate the Nirvana Day at a time when all people of the country are making a dynamic march in the new century to carry out the tasks set forth in the joint editorial for this year. They called upon the Buddhists to actively contribute to building a powerful nation through various activities.
They appealed to all the Buddhists in the north, the south and overseas to express Buddha's love and harmony and conduct positive activities to put into practice the appeal made at the 2001 meeting for brilliantly adorning this year, the first anniversary of the historic north-south joint declaration, as a year of opening a decisive phase of the independent and peaceful reunification of the country by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation.
Greetings to Mauritian President
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to Mauritian President Cassam Uteem on March 6 on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of its independence and the 9th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic.
The message extended warm congratulations to the president on the occasion.
Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would further strengthen and develop in the future, the message wished the president greater success in his work for the prosperity of the country.
Premier Hong Song Nam sent a message of greetings to his Mauritian counterpart Navin Ramgoolam.
WPK delegation leaves for Laos
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea headed by Yang Hyong Sop, alternate member of the political bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and vice-president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, left here today to participate in the 7th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.
It was seen off at the airport by Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, and Chanpheng Inthavanh, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Laotian embassy here.
S. Korean Minister of Culture and Tourism and his party here
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Han Gil, South Korean Minister of Culture and Tourism, and his party arrived here today.
They were greeted at the airport by Jang Ung, vice-chairman of the Korean Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission, Kang Jong Hun, general secretary of the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, and others.
Today Minister of Culture Kang Nung Su met them.
General secretary of FCO of United Kingdom and his party here
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Permanent under-secretary of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom John Kerr and his party arrived here today.
They were greeted at the airport by Choe Su Hon, vice-minister of foreign affairs, and James Edward Hoare, British charge d'affaires ad interim in the DPRK.
The DPRK Foreign Ministry hosted a reception for them at the Mansudae Assembly Hall this evening.
KEDO delegation arrives
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) arrived here today by air to participate in the high-level negotiations between the DPRK and KEDO for the implementation of the agreement on the provision of light water reactors.