1st anniversary of north-south joint declaration observed
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- Papers here today editorially observe the 1st anniversary of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
Rodong Sinmun says that the past one year covered by the Korean nation since the publication of the declaration was a worthwhile year in which all the fellow countrymen took a big stride forward in the movement for reunification, full of joy to greet the era of independent reunification, and meaningful days when the validity and vitality of the declaration have been demonstrated to the full.
The paper says:
During the last one year, the Korean people clearly proved that every Korean wants reunification and there is nothing impossible when the whole Korean nation struggles with one aim.
The whole Korean nation has deepened the national confidence and promoted reconciliation and unity under the uplifted banner of the declaration.
A decisive factor of a great change made in the movement for the country's reunification over the last one year is the extraordinary leadership ability and energetic activities of leader Kim Jong Il.
All the Koreans in the north and the south and abroad are faced with a sacred task to achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country and open up the road of eternal prosperity of the nation at an early date, the paper notes, and goes on:
What is the most important is to have a position and attitude of respecting the declaration and sincerely implementing it.
The experience in the past one year teaches a lesson that if Koreans remain true to the declaration everything goes well and if one backpedals his earlier promise the declaration will remain nothing but a sheet of waste paper.
National independence is a guiding idea of the times of independent reunification.
One should have a firm stand to realize the country's reunification by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation, see through the aggressive attempt of the foreign forces, sternly reject them, mobilize enormous potentials of the nation with genuine conscience of fellow countryman and thus achieve the country's reunification.
The situation inside and outside the Korean peninsula is favourably developing nowadays.
Only the U.S., displeased with the process of the reconciliation of the Korean nation, persists in reckless moves to escalate tensions.
It is high time the U.S. behaved with reason.
The U.S. should not run wild, seized with the ambition for hegemony, but do things helpful to the implementation of the declaration for reunification of the Korean nation as a party directly responsible for the division of the Korean peninsula.
Minju Joson in an editorial calls for opening the door of independent reunification by the concerted efforts of the whole nation.
Cuban embassy officials visit Sinchon Museum
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- Cuban ambassador to the DPRK Esteban Lobaina Romero and his embassy officials yesterday visited the Sinchon Museum in South Hwanghae Province on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification.
They looked round the exhibits and visual propaganda materials showing the most barbarous mass killings of innocent people by the U.S. imperialist aggressors in Sinchon during the temporary strategic retreat in the last Korean War.
They went round the anti-air raid shelter of the then Sinchon county party committee, the powder store in Wonam-ri, graves of 5,605 patriots and 400 mothers and 102 children who were brutally killed by Yankees.
They laid bouquets before the graves before observing a silent tribute.
Report on mass killings of civilians and list of victims found in S. Korea
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- A field-investigation report on the mass killings of civilians committed by the army and police in South Korea during the past war as well as a list of victims were found in the underground archives of the "National Assembly" after the lapse of more than 40 years, according to Yonhap News from Seoul.
Jon Kap Gil, an assemblyman from the democratic party, opened this to the public on June 11.
According to the report, a special committee for investigation into the truth behind the mass killings of civilians was formed in accordance with a decision of the fourth plenary session of the "national assembly" in 1960 and a fact-finding group was sent to the scenes and carried out investigation from May 31 to June 10 of the same year.
The group worked out a "report on the mass killings of civilians," a list of those killed and "stenographic records of the committee for investigation into the truth behind the mass killings of civilians".
The result of investigation conducted in 42 places of five provinces put the number of civilian victims only at 8,522. Losses of lives and properties caused by the army and the police before and after the June 25 war are serious in the areas investigated by the committee and the number of victims reported to the committee from localities is on the increase.
The special committee requested the "administration" to institute "a special law on dealing with the murder of civilians" in an effort to sternly punish those responsible for the damage done to the lives and properties of guiltless people and establish a system of compensation to the victims.
But before a step was taken, the may 16 military coup d'etat took place and the stenographic records, the report and the list of victims had been left in the underground archives, not being transferred to the repository keeping records of the "national assembly."
DPRK national flag appears in Pusan
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- The national flag of the DPRK appeared at universities in Pusan on the occasion of the first anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration, according to a Seoul-based CBS report.
The general student council of Dong-a university displayed a large wall-paper, on which a DPRK national flag and a unified flag of Korea are painted, on a wall of the building of the college of natural science on June 11.
The council announced its plan to continue to display the DPRK flag-decorated wall-papers at each college during the week of commemorating the first anniversary of the declaration.
The Pusan-Gyeongsang College displayed on June 13 a wall-paper carrying a DPRK flag and the unified flag of Korea and Korea maritime university displayed a large wall-paper carrying a picture of leader Kim Jong Il and the unified flag of Korea at its old main building, etc.
Meanwhile, universities in Pusan decided to conduct propaganda activities among citizens and campus meetings to accelerate the movement for reunification at each university on June 15 in the week of commemorating the joint declaration.
Calls issued for implementation of joint declaration
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- The solidarity for implementing the south-north joint declaration in South Korea on June 7 made public calls to be upheld in the period of June 15-August 15 movement for promoting national reunification, according to a news report.
They said that implementation of the June 15 joint declaration is patriotism and moves to obstruct it are a treachery and called upon all the people to unite to implement the declaration.
They called upon all the people to make tangible contributions to the implementation of the joint declaration= those with strength devote strength, those with knowledge dedicate knowledge and those with money donate money.
They urged the U.S. to drop its hardline policy towards the north obstructive to the implementation of the declaratin and withdraw its troops from South Korea.
They called for putting an end to U.S.-toeing diplomacy, pursuing independent politics and rejecting anti-reunification moves through all-people struggle.
They called upon people of all strata to unite as one to carry out the joint declaration under the banner of patriotism.
National reunification is sure to come, they said, calling upon all the people to rise up to implement the joint declaration and glorify the 21st century as the century of national reunification.
Exhibition hall of works on Juche idea visited
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- The military attaches corps here yesterday visited the exhibition hall of works on the Juche idea on the occasion the 37th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the c.c., the Workers' Party of Korea.
They looked round photos, autographic manuscripts and other exhibits showing his undying feats, being briefed on the fact that he who has a rare perspicacity, boundlessly broad vision, rich knowledge and faculties of inquiry, conducted energetic ideological and theoretical activities to write many works, while leading the revolution and construction.
At the end of the visit, they made an entry in the visitor's book.
Yun Yong Gi dies
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- Former unconverted long-term prisoner Yun Yong Gi, the indomitable pro-reunification patriot and man of strong faith and will, died of cerebral infarction, caused by the aftermath of various diseases he got in South Korean prisons, at the age of 74 on June 13, Juche 90 (2001).
According to the obituary, he was born into a tenant's family in South Korea and led a inhumane life under the fascist rule of the U.S. imperialist aggressors and their stooges after the liberation of Korea.
He joined in a Kyonggi provincial guerrilla unit and bravely fought with the enemies in the period of the fatherland liberation war. later He worked as a party worker and an official of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea thanks to the high political confidence and care of President Kim Il Sung. he devotedly fought for the country's reunification.
He was arrested by the enemy and suffered in jail for 40 years. He did not give in to the hangmen who forced "ideological conversion" upon him.
Greetings to Kim Jong Il from Chongryon CSC
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA0 -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a message of greetings from the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) today on the occasion of the first anniversary of the historic Pyongyang meeting and the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
Recalling that Kim Jong Il arranged the historic meeting of the heads of the north and the south which culminated in the publication of the north-south joint declaration, a milestone for national reunification, and thus did such a great work which could not be realised in 55 years since the division of the country, the message describes this as a most shining feat to be recorded in the history of the movement for national reunification.
After the Pyongyang meeting, the movement for national reunification entered a new phase in which it is advancing, guided by your idea and leadership art and proves successful thanks to your virtue and the desire for national independence to solve the issue of reunification by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation under the banner of the joint declaration is growing stronger among the compatriots at home and abroad, the message says, and continues:
The cause of national reunification is certain to be achieved and the Korean nation in the 21st century will surely greet a new era when a reunified and prosperous Korea will emerge and a great history of reunified nation will be made as long as the Koreans hold you in high esteem as the lodestar of independent national reunification and a central figure for the great unity of the whole nation.
All the Chongryon officials and compatriots in Japan will vigorously join in the nation-wide grand march for reunification to open up the door of reunification by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation under the banner of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration provided by you.
Letter of thanks to Kim Jong Il from NDFSK
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il today received a letter of thanks from the central committee of the National Democartic Front of South Korea on the occasion of the first anniversary of the historic Pyongyang meeting and the publication of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
The letter says that the Pyongyang meeting arranged by Kim Jong Il, the great leader of the nation, which resulted in the publication of the declaration last June, marked a historic event to be recorded in the history of the movement for national reunification.
The letter says: you, endowed with outstanding idea, tested leadership art and noble virtue, have led the cause of national reunification to victory, thus performing great exploits to be always recorded in the history of the nation.
You provided a landmark for national reunification, enabling the Koreans to declare to the world their will to put an end to the history of national division and glorify the 21st century as Kim Jong Il's great century which will see the rise of a reunified, powerful and prosperous Korea and open up a bright prospect of carrying out the cause of national reunification by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation under your leadership.
As the cause of national reunification is led by you, the movement for national reunification is making progress, guided by your idea and thanks to your leadership art and proving successful thanks to your virtue.
The NDFSK central committee will consolidate its organization and ranks of the movement for reunification as invincible ranks intensely loyal to your idea and leadership and make the worship of you by people from all walks of life prevail in South Korea.
U.S. arms buildup assailed
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- Some days ago, a senior official of the U.S. department of defense talked about the deployment of aegis ships on the East Sea of Korea. He asserted that this was necessary because the "military threat" from the DPRK has not been reduced even after the inter-Korean summit talks.
In this regard Minju Joson today in a signed commentary says: the U.S. plan to deploy aegis ships on the East Sea of Korea is intended to shift the blame for the escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula and in other Asia-Pacific regions on to the DPRK and use it as a pretext for increasing the strength of armed forces and securing "strong justification" for establishing the sphere of military domination in this region.
The commentary goes on:
The U.S. moves are clearly designed to contain the neighbouring countries in this region, fully ensure the sphere of its military domination and threaten the DPRK militarily.
With nothing can the U.S. cover its true colours as a disturber of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and evade the responsibility for the escalating tensions in the region.
The DPRK can never remain a passive on-looker to the arms buildup stepped up by the U.S. under the pretext of "threat" from the DPRK. The DPRK will decisively react to the U.S. arms buildup targeted against it.
Grand seminar on national reunification held
Kosong, June 15 (KCNA) -- A grand seminar on national reunification on the theme "June 15 Joint Declaration and Nation's Tasks" took place on Mt. Kumgang today with a large attendance to mark the 1st anniversary of the declaration.
Present there were representatives of political parties and organizations in the DPRK including the Workers' Party of Korea, the Korean Social Democratic Party, the Korean Chondoist Chongu Party, the c.c., the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland, the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, the Kim Il Sung socialist youth league, the union of agricultural workers of Korea, the Korean Democratic Women's Union, the Korean Students Committee, the Korean National Peace Committee, the Korean Democratic Lawyers Association, the General Federation of the Unions of Literature and the Arts of Korea, the Korean General Federation of Science and Technology, the Korean Christian Federation, the Korean Catholic Association, the Korean Buddhist Federation, the Korean Religious Believers Council and the Korean Social Scientists Society.
Also present were representatives of political parties and organizations of South Korea including the Democratic Party for New Millennium, the Grand National Party, the Democratic Workers' Party, the south headquarters of Pomminryon (National Alliance for the Country's Reunification), the south headquarters of Pomchonghakryon (the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification), the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils, the All-People Council for National Reconciliation and Cooperation, the Reunification Solidarity for the Implementation of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and Peace on the Korean peninsula, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, the General Federation of Peasants Associations, the Federation of Women's Organizations, the Teachers Union, the "National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification", the General Federation of Christians, the "National Catholic Alliance for Justice" and the central headquarters of Chondoism.
A delegation of Koreans in Japan, delegations of the General Association of Koreans in China and the International United Confederation of Koreans, a representative of the U.S. regional headquarters of Pomminryon, and other representatives of overseas compatriots from Japan, Europe and Americas were on hand.
Congratulatory speeches were made at the seminar.
Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the national reconciliation council and chairman of the north side's preparatory committee for the June 15-August 15 movement for the promotion of national reunification, in his congratulatory speech said that the declaration is a patriotic banner reflecting the unanimous aspiration and desire of all the fellow countrymen who value the dignity of the nation and earnestly want the reunification of the country and a great reunification programme for national independence.
He expressed the belief that the current seminar would become a meeting pooling the patriotic will of the 70 million fellow countrymen, a historic gathering to achieve national unity and reconciliation and redouble their efforts and would mark an occasion of a great turn in opening a new chapter in the Korean nation's history of the movement for national reunification.
The seminar adopted a joint communique on the grand seminar on national reunification marking the first anniversary of the declaration and a joint statement denouncing the Japanese authorities for working hard to distort history in textbooks.