Kim Jong Il inspects KPA unit no. 688
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il inspected KPA unit no. 688 yesterday.
He was accompanied by generals Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong and other general officers of the KPA and secretary Kim Kuk Thae, director Jong Ha Chol of the information and instruction department and a first vice department director of the C.C., WPK.
He first dropped in at a servicemen's hall. He highly praised the unit for conducting class education in a unique manner by applying various forms and methods to suit the characteristic feature of youth soldiers and said that the unit should pay primary attention to ideological education and train all the servicemen to be ideologically strong men.
Then he moved on to the unit's operation command room.
After hearing a report on the situation, he acquainted himself in detail with the performance of the unit's duty.
Praising the officers and men of the unit for the lot of successes they have made through a vigorous struggle to thoroughly implement the WPK's military line of self-defence, he advanced important tasks to be implemented to increase the combat capacity of the unit.
He looked round entertainment and logistic facilities of the unit including an education room, bedroom, mess and kitchen, and learned about details of its supply service.
He gave an automatic rifle to the servicemen of the unit as a gift and had a photograph taken with them.
After the inspection, he appreciated a performance given by the art propaganda squad of KPA large combined unit no. 233.
Greatly satisfied to see militant and appealing art pieces of diverse genres important for the education of servicemen, he highly praised the members of the squad for their successful performance.
Kim Jong Il visits cooperative farm
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -Leader Kim Jong Il yesterday gave on-site guidance to the Naedong Cooperative Farm in Kangryong county, South Hwanghae Province, where the land realignment project was completed.
He was accompanied by secretary Kim Kuk Thae, director Jong Ha Chol of the information and instruction department of the central committee of the WPK, a first vice department director of the c.c., the WPK and generals of the Korean People's Army.
Kim Jong Il went up a hill in front of the Naedong village to learn about the land realignment project in detail.
He highly praised the heroic feats servicemen and members of the shock brigades from all the provinces performed to complete the first-stage project earlier than scheduled in a short span of time.
Then he advanced important tasks which would serve as a guideline in effectively carrying out the land realignment project and increasing the agricultural production.
He underscored the need to take measures to properly conserve the land.
He instructed south hwanghae province to direct great efforts to two-crop farming as it has favorable conditions for it.
He said that it is important to concentrate investment on the granaries on the west coast including south hwanghae province and preferentially provide farming materials to them in order to significantly boost the nation's overall grain production.
He set forth tasks to be fulfilled to boost the livestock production and massively plant oil-bearing crops.
Stressing the need for the state to supply coal to the farmers in south hwanghae province in a responsible way, he unravelled a knotty problem in the coal transport.
He expressed expectation and belief that the agricultural workers in the province would plant a lot of trees on the hills and mountains and always spruce up villages, rivers and roads and thus convert the province into a paradise for the people.
World Day of Red Cross and Red Crescent marked
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- A joint friendly gathering was hosted here yesterday by the c.c., the DPRK Red Cross Society on the occasion of the "World Day of Red Cross and Red Crescent."
Present there were Jang Jae On, chairman of the central committee of the DPRK Red Cross Society, and other officials concerned and officials of the DPRK flood damage rehabilitation committee, medical, educational and cultural institutions and media and social organizations.
Also present there were the head and members of the aid delegation of the international federation of red cross and red crescent societies.
At the end of speeches the attendants were briefed on the red cross and red crescent movement, major activities of the c.c., the DPRK Red Cross Society and the cooperation with the international federation of red cross and red crescent societies.
The participants enjoyed an art performance given by schoolchildren and talked to each other about red cross activities, deepening the friendship.
Multifarious functions also took place at red cross branches in different provinces of the country on the occasion.
Those functions held in the "year of international voluntary service" drew the attention of the people of all social standings.
Press conference at Russian embassy
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- A press conference was held at the russian embassy in the DPRK yesterday on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet people in the great patriotic war.
Present there were mediapersons in Pyongyang, foreign diplomatic envoys, military attaches and correspondents here.
Russian ambassador Valery Denisov and staff members of the embassy were present.
Vladimir Dombrovski, military attache of the russian embassy, addressing the press conference, said that the soviet people defeated fascism to win victory in the great patriotic war and that the soviet army and people turned out as one in the sacred war for defending the motherland and displayed mass heroism.
Rodong Sinmun on position and role of revolutionary army
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- A scientific clarification of the position and role of a revolutionary army, one of the key issues in victoriously advancing the people's cause of independence at present, was given by the Workers' Party of Korea, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article.
The article goes on:
The WPK's Juche-based viewpoint on the position and role of the revolutionary army is that the people's army is the main force of revolution and the pillar of the country.
The revolutionary army includes vanguard fighters determined to lay down their lives for revolution out of the people of all classes and strata involved in the revolution as it bears the brunt of an armed struggle, the fiercest revolutionary struggle. for this reason the revolutionary army is stronger in revolutionary character and in the sense of organization and unity and fighting spirit than any others. therefore, it acts as the hardcore force of the revolutionary ranks and the main force of revolution.
The victorious path covered by the Korean revolution shows that only when the army is considered as the hardcore force of revolution and the revolutionary ranks are strengthened with it as a model, can the driving force of revolution significantly grow strong and it advance victoriously.
With a strong army the country can stand the worst adversity and defend the party and the government but with a weak army it is impossible to do so and escape national ruin.
That is why the army precisely means the party, the state and the people.
As there is the invincible people's army, the WPK and the Korean people have firmly defended Korean-style socialism from the manoeuvrings of the imperialists and all other hues of enemies and laid a solid springboard from which to build a powerful nation despite worst adversity.
Reality goes to prove that when the army is strong it is possible to gain everything and always emerge victorious.
The WPK's Juche-oriented viewpoint and stand on the position and role of the revolutionary army serve as a powerful weapon which helps all the parties and people making revolution in our times to have a correct understanding of the master key to victory in the revolution and vigorously advance the cause of independence.
U.S. moves to establish MD system denounced in S. Korea
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- The U.S. criminal moves to establish the "missile defence" system are being strongly condemned by different organizations and people in South Korea these days.
They are unanimous in demanding the U.S. stop at once its moves to establish the MD system and asserting those moves are the dangerous ones which drive the situation to the Cold War and the dark cloud of war can not be dispelled as long as the U.S. forces remain on this land.
Over 2,000 students affiliated to the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils and members of 8 civic and social organizations held a pan-national rally in Seoul on April 7 to check the U.S. moves to establish the MD system and the "Theatre Missile Defence" system and achieve peace on the Korean peninsula. They burned a model of an interceptor missile.
On April 25 those affiliated to the environment movement association staged a surprise demonstration in front of the U.S. embassy in Seoul in protest against the U.S. moves to establish the MD system.
108 South Korean religionists called a press conference on April 17 at which they released a declaration denouncing the U.S. MD system.
The South Korean paper Hangyore in an editorial underscored the importance of drawing the public attention to the campaign against the MD system.
Koryo Medical General Hospital 40 years old
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- The Koryo Medical General Hospital marked the 40th anniversary of its foundation.
A small research centre 40 years back, the hospital has developed into a scientific and research centre for the development of Koryo medicine, a national combined centre for Koryo medical service and a centre for training competent Koryo medical workers.
Operating as a who centre for joint researches into traditional medicine, the hospital has developed scientific and technological exchange and cooperation in Koryo medicine worldwide.
A congratulatory letter to the medical workers and employees of the hospital from the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was read out at the meeting held yesterday to mark the day.
Kim Il Sung Order was awarded to the hospital for having distinguished itself in health care and medical scientific researches true to the WPK's policy of public health.
The meeting called for putting basic theories of Koryo medicine and Koryo medical diagnosis and treatment technology including Koryo drugs, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping a boil, massage, etc. on a higher scientific and modern level.
Anniversary of Soviet people's victory in war observed
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang-based newspapers today observe the 56th anniversary of the Soviet people's victory in the great patriotic war.
Rodong Sinmun describes this victory as a great event signifying victory of justice over injustice and victory of peace over war.
It made a great contribution to the cause of human emancipation, the paper says, and goes on:
The second world war ended in a great victory of the anti-fascist forces thanks to the major role played by the soviet army and people.
Over a half century has passed since then, but the outdated imperialist forces still remain and the danger of aggression and war continues on this planet. the arrogant and brigandish nature of modern imperialism has reached its height.
The prevailing situation requires the world people to wage a vigorous anti- imperialist struggle in unity under the banner of independence against imperialism. this struggle will weaken the imperialists and advance the popular masses' cause of independence, the cause of socialism.
Minju Joson says: the great victory of the soviet union and the anti-fascist united forces of the world has taught the truth of history that the reactionaries of the times challenging independence and peace are bound to go to ruin and justice is sure to win.
Kim Yong Nam receives credentials from new ambassadors
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, separately received credentials from new ambassadors e.p. Eugenio Bregolat of Spain and H.J. de Bries of the Netherlands to the DPRK at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there was Choe Su Hon, vice-minister of foreign affairs.
After receiving the credentials, the president had talks with them.
Paek Nam Sun meets Spanish ambassador
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Foreign minister Paek Nam Sun met and conversed with Eugenio Bregolat, new ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the DPRK, who paid a courtesy call on him today.
Talks held between delegations of WPK and PDPN
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Talks were held here today between the delegations of the Workers' Party of Korea and the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria.
At the talks both sides informed each other of their parties' activities and exchanged views on the need to develop the friendly relations between the two parties and a series of issues of mutual concern.
Present there were Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the c.c., the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned and the members of the delegation of the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria headed by Awoyelu Clement Kolawole, national financial secretary of the party, and Alhaji Daudu Sulaiman, Nigerian ambassador to the DPRK.