Five-storey pagoda at Jahye Temple
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Among many Korean historical relics is the five-storey Pagoda at the Jahye temple, evidence showing the resourcefulness of the medieval Koreans.
The stone Pagoda remains in the yard of the Jahye temple, whose construction dates back to the period of Koryo dynasty (918-1392), in Sowon-ri, Sinchon county, South Hwanghae Province in the middle of Korea.
It consists of a pedestal in two tiers, a tier of stereobate, a five-storey tower body and the top. It is 5.94 metres high.
In every side of the lower part of the stereobate, there are three hollows.
Square pillar is projecting from the main body of the stereobate and each storey of the tower. The first storey is decorated with sculpture.
At each centre of its both northern and southern sides is a lock and on both sides of the lock are the images of the two deva kings, the guardian gods of Buddhism.
The sculpture is delicate and refined.
The cap is thin and the eaves are protruding comparatively long, which makes it look large and light. At their corners are holes used for hanging bells.
The design of the five-storey tower which becomes narrow going upward gives an admirable symmetrical effect and its cutting was done daintily with polished engraving. This pagoda has every claim to be described as one of the excellent stone pagodas in the early period of Koryo.
Russian embassy officials help Korean farmers
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Minister-counsellor Oleg Dabydov and officials of the Russian embassy here yesterday helped members of the Korea-Russia Friendship Kochang Cooperative Farm in Chollima district, Nampho, in weeding on a maize field.
During a break they talked to each other and sang songs, deepening friendly feelings.
The Russian guests delivered aid materials to the farm.
Seminars held
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Seminars of different fields were held here yesterday to mark the 37th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.
It was stressed at the seminars that Kim Jong Il is a distinguished leader of the party, the state and the army who has led the revolutionary cause of Juche to shining victory for scores of years.
Speakers at the seminar of officials of trade unions said that he has wisely led the trade unions to play the role as a dependable helper and defender of the party and stressed the need for all the trade union members to actively contribute to bringing earlier a new era of a powerful and prosperous nation.
Speakers at the seminar of officials of the women's union called on all the officials and members of the union to firmly prepare themselves to be staunch women revolutionaries and vanguard fighters who are devotedly defending Kim Jong Il only, while trusting and following him as heaven despite grim ordeals.
A real story telling of youth and students took place on the same day.
Mongolian embassy officials help Korean farmers
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Charge d'affaires Gunsengiin Erdembat and officials of the Mongolian embassy here yesterday helped members of the Korea-Mongolia Friendship Jongbang co-op Farm in Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province, in weeding in a maize field.
During a break they talked to each other, deepening friendly feelings.
The guests delivered aid materials to the farm.
Korea Unha General Trading Corporation
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- The Korea Unha General Trading Corporation is one of the country's leading garment exporters.
The trading corporation was commissioned in July Juche 65 (1976). It has more than 10 trading companies, over 80 factories (including factories abroad), several service enterprises, a joint venture company, a trading branch and a supply centre.
It has its offices abroad, too.
And it operates over 40 schools for skilled workers in order to improve the quality of garments.
Thousands of highly skilled workers are trained there every year.
The trading corporation aims to process and export a variety of garments including men's ready-made suits, winter clothes and shirts with its own clothing materials, accessories and designs in the near future.
The corporation is now busy with a project to develop new varieties of chemical, electronic and light industrial goods and foodstaff while perfecting processing processes and strengthening technical staff.
It has business relations with more than 30 corporations and firms of over 10 countries including Germany and Japan.
Greetings to Icelandic President
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on Sunday sent a message of greetings to president Olafur Ragnar Grimsson on the occasion of the National Day of Iceland.
Kim in the message wished good health and happiness to the President of Iceland and prosperity to its people.
Greetings to PM of UK
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a telegram of greetings to Tony Blair, prime minister of the UK.
In the message hong congratulated Tony Blair on the Labour Party's victory in the recent general elections held in Britain and on his reelection as prime minister.
The message wished him a greater success in his future work.
Greetings to UK foreign secretary
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, minister of foreign affairs of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to jack straw on his appointment as foreign secretary of the UK.
Hoping for the positive development of the bilateral relations, the message wished him many successes in his new post.
Greetings exchanged between foreign ministers of DPRK and Belize
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, foreign minister of the DPRK, exchanged messages of greetings with Said Musa, prime minister and foreign minister of Belize, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The messages expressed the belief that the friendly ties between the two countries would continue to develop.
Korean world pro-boxing champion arrives
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Hong Chang Su, the first Korean world pro-boxing champion in Japan, arrived here today.
He emerged winner in the super fly category of the world championships of the world boxing council held in Japan in August last year and again retained his world championship in a match he had with a challenger in Seoul last may.
Despite the Japanese reactionaries' moves to assimilate Koreans in Japan to Japanese, he has taken part in matches by a full Korean name with a flag of the DPRK in his hand, thus demonstrating the spirit of the Korean nation before the world.
He was greeted at the airport by Ri Tong Ho, vice-chairman of the Korean Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission, Kim Yu Ho, director of the general bureau of reception for overseas compatriots, and other officials concerned.
The commission hosted a reception in honour of Hong Chang Su at the Mansudae Art Theatre today.
S. Korean religious leader arrives
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Chol, leader of the Chondo-Gyo central headquarters of South Korea, and his party arrived here today.
They were met at the airport by Ryu Mi Yong, chairperson of the Korean Chondoist church central guidance committee, and officials concerned.
Kim Yong Nam meets Hong Chang Su
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and conversed with Hong Chang Su, the first Korean world pro-boxing champion in Japan who is on a visit to the socialist homeland, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there were Ri Tong Ho, vice-chairman of the Korean Physical Culture and sports guidance commission, officials concerned and the family of Hong Chang Su.