Inter-sector talks held between DPRK and Vietnam
Hanoi, July 13 (KCNA correspondent) -- Inter-sector talks were held between the DPRK and Vietnam in Hanoi on July 12.
At the talks both sides clarified the principled stand to be adhered to in putting the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries provided by their preceding leaders on to a new higher stage. They exchanged views on strengthening bilateral support and cooperation in international fora including the united nations and the Asean regional forum and on issues of mutual concern, and reached a consensus of views on the matters discussed.
The talks separately took place between Ri Kwang Gun, minister of foreign trade, and Luong Ban Tu, vice-minister of commerce, between Kang Nung Su, minister of culture, and Pham Quang Nghi, minister of culture and information, between Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of foreign affairs, and Le Cong Phung, vice-minister of foreign affairs, and between Hong Son Ok, vice-chairperson of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and Vu Suan Hong, acting chairman of the Vietnam union of organizations for friendship with foreign countries.
Halt to crackdown upon labour movement called for
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- Representatives of 273 civic and public organizations across South Korea released the "declaration of democratic, civic and public organizations concerned about the present deplorable situation where reforms are not carried out, people's living is getting harder, and democracy is infringed upon" in Seoul on July 11, according to Seoul-based Yonhap news.
They in the declaration demanded the authorities abolish the "Security Law," discontinue destabilizing operations against the (South) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the suppression of the labour movement and halt the violent crackdown upon the movement of the people's and social organizations for the right to existence and reform, etc.
Internet website to open to disclose Japan's war crimes
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- The "South Korean Federation for Demanding Reparation for Damage in the Second World War," an organization of victims of conscription, forced labour and sexual slavery for the imperial army enforced by the Japanese imperialists and the bereaved families, declared on July 10 that it would open a website to let the world know about Japan's war crimes, its moves to tamper with history in textbooks, and other wrongs on a sustained and specialized basis, according to Seoul-based Yonhap News.
The chairman of the federation said that the purpose of the organization is to establish an internet website dealing in English with records and testimonies about many war crimes committed by Japan, which have been collected, and thus teach humankind a serious lesson that Japan may repeat the crimes it committed half a century ago and demand the Japanese ruling quarters honestly reflect on, compensate and apologize for them.
He also noted that it would establish a website in Japanese for young Japanese who may be taught the distorted history in a bid to correct their wrong perception of history.
The organization declared a plan to stage functions to open websites with various other organizations to this end.
Staff members of Indian embassy visit Kuwolsan pleasure ground
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- The ambassador and staff members of the Indian embassy here visited the Kuwolsan pleasure ground on July 12 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the DPRK-India inter-governmental cultural agreement.
Mt. Kuwol in south hwanghae province, one of the famous mountains in Korea, turned into a cultural pleasure ground for people in recent years.
There are revolutionary sites associated with activities of indomitable revolutionary fighter Kim Hyong Jik and lots of historical and cultural relics.
Saying that the peaks, waterfalls and scenic spots on Mt. Kuwol bear witness to leader Kim Jong Il's warm loving care for the people, the ambassador added that the mountain is not only Korea's famous mountain but the world's famous mountain.
U.S. termed untrustworthy country
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- The United States is acting impudently as if it seized the initiative for improved DPRK-U.S. relations.
At the recent U.S.-Japan summit, president bush said that the united states would not make a hasty agreement on "improved relations" with the DPRK unless the latter proves to be a country to be trusted not only by the U.S. but by its neighbouring countries.
Commenting on this, Minju Joson today dismisses his remark as a sheer lie.
It is nothing but a ridiculous attempt of the master to save his face under the eye of its junior ally.
Such call for mutual confidence is what should be made by the DPRK, not by the U.S., which does not fulfil its commitment, throwing it off like a pair of old shoes.
This is evidenced by the U.S. non-compliance with the DPRK-U.S. agreed framework. the U.S. promised the DPRK to provide light water reactors by 2003, but this provision is unlikely to be finished even until 2010.
Nevertheless, the U.S. is calling on the DPRK to show "trust." this is like a thief crying "stop the thief " Bush's recent remark shows once again what is the real aim of the U.S.-proposed "resumption of dialogue".
By peddling its proposal the U.S. evidently seeks to create impression that it is interested in the dialogue for the settlement of the Korean peninsula issue in a bid to attain its purpose.
The DPRK holds its dignity and sovereignty dearest, and never allows any infringement upon them. It will surely make the u.s. pay for such impudent behavior intended to infringe upon its dignity and sovereignty.
If the U.S. wants dialogue with the DPRK, it should approach the dialogue on a fair and equal basis and make a political decision to renounce its hostile policy toward the DPRK.
U.S. Asia-Pacific strategy under fire
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- U.S. hawkish elements are planning to deploy a new "echo" unit belonging to special operation air force unit no. 160 and support battalion no. 607 organized to aid the "echo" unit in South Korea after deciding to deliver vertical missile launching system "MK 41" to South Korea.
In this regard rodong sinmun today in a signed commentary says:
This clearly reveals the invariable intention of the united states to use South Korea as a springboard from which to put the Asia-Pacific region under its control.
The U.S. does not hide its shameless ambition to dominate the Asia-Pacific region.
U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld on June 21 called for reexamining the nearly decade old win-win strategy of the U.S. armed forces.
This means paving the way for the U.S. to concentrate its forces on carrying out its Asia-Pacific military strategy.
It is the plan of the U.S. to keep its troops in South Korea, Japan and other parts of East Asia at the level of 100,000 and transfer its troops to the Asia-Pacific region from Europe and mideast in the new century.
It also has a plan to equip bombers with more than 60 cruiser missiles, each with a range of 2,500 km, deployed on Guam island in order to enable them to strike any part of Asia within 12 hours and deploy three attack subs, heavy transport helicopters and others on the island.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is staging various military exercises in the Asia-Pacific region every year. In 2000 it conducted more than 50 large-scale military drills in this region.
To carry out its Asia strategy the U.S. is sticking to its military strategy toward Korea in a bid to start a new Korean war, first of all, and put the whole of Korea under its military control.
U.S. hawkish elements have derailed the process of inter-Korean reconciliation and detente on the Korean peninsula and persistently pursued its policy to stifle the DPRK after defining the DPRK as its "principal enemy." This is increasing the danger of war on the peninsula.
If they ignite the second Korean war, none of the aggressors will be able to go back home alive.
S. Korean organizations put up militant slogans
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- South Korean organizations including the movement for promoting national reunification to implement the June 15 Joint Declaration and the June 15 solidarity for reunification reportedly put up slogans to carry on their struggle.
The slogans call for opening the door of reunification by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation under the uplifted banner of the June 15 Joint Declaration.
They demand the United States withdraw its hardline policy towards the DPRK, probe the truth behind mass killings of civilians and apologize and compensate for them. They also call for a struggle against the U.S. interference in the internal affairs of South Korea and its moves to establish the "Missile Defence" system and its economic aggression and plunder and threat to peace.
The slogans urge the abolition of the "Security Law," the withdrawal of the labelling of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils as an "enemy-benefiting organization" and the immediate release of the prisoners of conscience.
DPRK-Vietnam joint communique issued
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- A DPRK-Vietnam joint communique was released in Hanoi today as regards the official goodwill visit to Vietnam by Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.
The joint communique says:
Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, paid an official goodwill visit to the socialist republic of Vietnam from July 11 to 14, 2001, upon the invitation of Tran Duc Luong, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
During the visit Kim Yong Nam received general secretary Nong Duc Manh, had talks with President Tran Duc Luong and met with Nguyen Van An, chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam.
He laid a wreath before the mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, went round it and visited a place where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked and some economic and cultural institutions in Hanoi and Haiphong.
At the talks and contacts both sides informed each other of the situation in their countries and exchanged broad-based views on further developing the traditional friendly relations between the two countries and on international and regional issues of mutual concern.
Talks and meetings took place in a sincere and friendly atmosphere, at which a consensus of views was reached on all issues.
The Vietnamese side highly praised the Korean people for energetically pushing ahead with the building of a powerful nation despite the temporary economic difficulties caused by natural disasters under the wise guidance of leader kim jong il, expanding international relations, pursuant to the independent foreign policy, and greatly contributing to ensuring peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in northeast Asia.
The DPRK side congratulated the Vietnamese people upon their great achievements made in the country's industrialization and modernization under the leadership of the communist party of Vietnam, highly estimated the results of the 9th congress of the CPV and wished the Vietnamese people continued great successes in the work to successfully carry out the decisions of the party congress and make people rich and successfully build a powerful state, a democratic, civilized and fair society and prosperous socialist Vietnam under the leadership of the CPV headed by Nong Duc Manh.
It also estimated the government and people of Vietnam for pursuing a foreign policy of independence, sovereignty, expansion of diversification and multilateral external relations and thus expanding its relations with all countries and making a positive contribution to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development.
The Vietnamese side warmly hailed the historic inter-Korean summit and the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration adopted there, and highly estimated the efforts made by the DPRK government to implement the agreed points reached at the summit. It also expressed the belief that the Koreans in the north and the south of the country and overseas would surely realize their desire for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.
The two sides noted with satisfaction that the traditional Korea-Vietnam relations of friendship and cooperation, which were provided by President Kim Il Sung and President Ho Chi Minh and stood the trials under the complicated and changed international situation, have been consolidated and developed steadily and excellently over the past 50 years.
The Vietnamese side expressed heartfelt thanks to the Korean party, government and people for their valuable support and encouragement to the Vietnamese people in the endeavours for the reunification of the country and the building of socialism.
The Korean side expressed heartfelt thanks to the Vietnamese party, government and people for having rendered support and encouragement to the Korean people in their efforts to achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country and overcome natural disasters in the past years.
Both sides reached a consensus of views on the matter of further strengthening and developing the bilateral ties in the 21st century.
They agreed to hold intergovernmental talks so as to provide a legal basis for expanded bilateral exchange and cooperation in politics, the economy, culture and other fields.
They also agreed to maintain regular contacts at high and other levels and strengthen cooperation and exchange between governmental bodies and social organizations of the two countries.
The two sides agreed to hold the 4th meeting of the joint committee for bilateral cooperation in the economy, science and technology at an early date in order to develop the economic and trade relations between the two countries in keeping with their excellent political ties.
They agreed to continue strengthening exchange and cooperation in culture, education, public health, sports, tourism and other fields.
Both sides reached a consensus of views that the world situation is still turning complicated in the 21st century, but cooperation for peace, stability and development remains a main trend.
The two sides agreed to contribute to building a new world based on independence, sovereignty, mutual respect, impartiality and equality for the peace, stability and development of humankind, expressed apprehensions over the dangerous moves which may spark a new arms race threatening regional and world peace and security and made a strong objection to pressure or interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.
The sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and joint steps in such international and regional arena as the UN, the non-alignment movement and the ASEAN regional forum for mutual interests and peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific and the world and make joint efforts to promote solidarity and cooperation with developing countries and establish an impartial, rational and equal international economic order among countries.
The sides highly praised the positive role of the ASEAN for regional stability and development.
The Korean side expressed support to the efforts of Vietnam which plays a positive role in ASEAN activities.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at the results of an official goodwill visit to the socialist republic of Vietnam by kim yong nam, president of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and evinced the conviction that his current visit would make an important contribution to strengthening and developing the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
President Kim Yong Nam expressed thanks to the Vietnamese side for according warm and cordial hospitality during his visit.
Kim Yong Nam invited President Tran Duc Luong to pay an official visit to the DPRK at a convenient time.
President Tran Duc Luong expressed thanks for the invitation and accepted it with pleasure.
It was agreed to set the date of visit through a diplomatic channel.