KCNA ridicules remarks of U.S. ambassador to Japan
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- U.S. ambassador to Japan Baker said that "Japan may be required to review its constitution in the near future as it proceeds with technology development with the United States on a Theater Missile Defense system (TMD) and participates in international peace-keeping operations." He added that "the reality of circumstance in the world is going to suggest to the Japanese that they reinterpret or redefine article 9 of their constitution."
Baker's remarks betray the U.S. political ambition to get Japan reexamined article 9 of the present Japanese constitution in a bid to use Japan as a legitimate "shock brigade" for the execution of the U.S. Asia-Pacific strategy and, at the same time, arouse the international community's strong suspicion about the political entity of Japan.
His utterances raise a fundamental question as to whether Japan's claim that it is a "normal state" means an independent and sovereign state aspiring after peace or a "state" so subject to the U.S. that it depends on the latter how to deal with the constitutional issue.
As recorded in the history of the 20th century, after its defeat in the war a constitution was instituted in Japan under the control and manipulation by the commander of the U.S. occupation forces and this has served as a legal basis of the state. Subject to the U.S. politically and militarily, Japan is keen to become a "leader of Asia" again with its backing.
Japan is participating in the moves to establish the TMD to increase its military potential and escalating the dispatch of its armed forces overseas under the pretext of "international peace-keeping activities". All this is aimed to realize its design for reinvasion of Asia under the U.S. patronage.
The present Japanese constitution remains the last stumbling block in the way of putting such design for aggression and war into practice. However, Japan's ambition is not enough to carry out the constitutional revision.
The U.S. has recently begun undisguisedly interfering in the issue of Japanese constitutional revision in a bid to instigate the Japanese reactionaries to push it forward, prompted by the master-servant relations between Washington and Tokyo for world supremacy and Asian aggression.
Baker added: "I'm not trying to tell them what they should do." His words, however, are no more than American style hypocrisy. All facts go to eloquently prove that Japan is an abnormal state which remains subject to the U.S., and a war criminal state which has not reflected on its wrongdoings, as it was more than 50 years back when it was defined as an "enemy state."
Inter-Korean meeting of peasants for reunification closes
Kosong, July 19 (KCNA) -- A meeting of peasants of the north and the south for reunification to implement the June 15 joint declaration, which was opened on Mt. Kumgang on July 18, closed today.
At the closing ceremony representatives of peasants in the north and the south expressed their firm stand to implement the June 15 joint declaration to the letter and solve the reunification issue independently by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation.
Jong Kwang Hun, chairman of the South Korean General Federation of Peasants' Unions, noted that the federation would not yield to any force standing in the way of reunification but carry on an uninterrupted struggle for the abolition of the "National Security Law" and the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from South Korea.
Kim Sun Ok, chairperson of the South Korean General Federation of Women Peasants' Unions, said that it was urgent to pull back foreign forces hampering national reunification and abolish the evil law, and confirmed the will of the South Korean women peasants to join in the struggle to this end.
Sung Sang Sop, chairman of the central committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea, said that the meeting was one for reconciliation, unity and reunification as ardent patriotism and will for reunification of peasants in the north and south mounted like an active volcano.
A joint press release on the meeting was issued there.
It noted that the meeting confirmed the resolution of the Korean peasants to take an active part in the drive to realise the cause of national reunification with the historic joint declaration as a landmark for national reunification and conduct a vigorous struggle to foil the outsiders' policy for war and confrontation and Japan's moves to distort history.
The press release recalled that it was decided to discuss and promote the issue of organizing a solidarity organization for reunification of peasants in the north and south for the implementation of the joint declaration and the peasants in the north and the south expressed the conviction that a grand national festival for reunification would be successfully held in Pyongyang as a nationwide event on august 15, the first liberation day ever to be celebrated in the new century, to make a positive contribution to achieving national reconciliation, unity and reunification.
Gift animals
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- The Central Zoo sprawls at the foot of scenic Mt. Taesong in suburban Pyongyang and entices the public with its vast stock of domestic and foreign species, nearly 400 of them being gifts to President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il from heads of state and prominent figures of the world.
Elephants are the chief attraction, causing a burst of laughter from children when they slumber about, trunks swinging, sometimes lifting their forelegs as if in welcome.
They are descendents of the "hero" elephant from the Vietnam war and its young which were presented to President Kim Il Sung by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh in Juche 48 (1959).
The foreign animals have been fully acclimatised and give an increasing stock of young, under the care of researchers and keepers.
Population strategy
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- "A satisfactory solution to the population problem is of vital significance for the survival, development and welfare of mankind in the future as well as at present," said Hong Sun Won, director of the population research institute.
Inaugurated on July 11, Juche 74 (1985), the institute has sections covering demography, population health, female population and other branches. It has made a notable contribution to the implementation of the state population policy.
It is now in a position to give a scientific estimate of population growth after an extensive study of births and deaths. through in-depth research and measures for the improvement of women's reproductive nutrition, it has contributed to preserving the health of women and children and reducing disease incidence during the years of the "arduous march".
It has also developed computer programs capable of providing in formation data on expected population growth and the corresponding food needs as well as other relevant measures. its multi-media program "Korean women" is used at home and abroad.
The institute issues the periodicals, "population news" and "bulletin of demography", and compiles such reference works as "information on world population" for assistance in professional research. It provides its newly-developed programs to the Ministry of Public Health, the central statistics bureau and other national organs.
In Korea, there is a scientific census system from the lowest administrative unit up to the highest and a well-regulated healthcare and epidemic prevention system.
The DPRK will strive to balance population growth and socio-economic development, the crucial issue of the population problem.
DPRK-Cambodia joint communique issued
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- A DPRK-Cambodia joint communique was released in Phnom Penh today.
The communique says:
1. Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, paid an official goodwill visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia from July 17 to 20, 2001, upon the invitation of Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia.
Kim Yong Nam received warm welcome from King Norodom Sihanouk, the senate, the national assembly and the royal government and people of Cambodia.
2. Kim Yong Nam had talks with Norodom Sihanouk in an atmosphere of traditional friendship and mutual respect.
He received President of the senate Chea Sim, President of the National Assembly Norodom Ranariddh and prime minister of the government Hun Sen, when they paid courtesy calls on him.
During the visit he laid a wreath before the monument to independence and went round cultural and economic districts and historic relics in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Province.
3. Both sides noted with satisfaction that the friendly ties and the spirit of mutual understanding and respect between the two countries provided by president Kim Il Sung and King Norodom Sihanouk have steadily grown stronger, and agreed to further develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries in this spirit.
Both sides exchanged views on current regional and international issues and a full consensus of views was reached on all the issues discussed.
4. Both sides agreed to further expand and strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the domains of mutual concern such as economy, culture, education, science and sports and boost bilateral cooperation in such regional and international arena as regional organizations, the U.N. and the non-aligned movement.
5. Both sides reiterated their commitments to abide by the principle of mutual respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and non-interference in other's internal affairs, and the principle of peaceful co-existence stipulated in the U.N. Charter, the non-aligned movement and in international laws.
6. The Korean side warmly congratulated the Cambodian people on having achieved national reconciliation, harmony and unity under the wise and devoted leadership of Norodom Sihanouk.
It also warmly congratulated the royal government of Cambodia on having achieved successes in socio-economic rehabilitation and reconstruction by realizing peace and the socio-political and economic stability under the leadership of prime minister Hun Sen and expressed support to the government in implementing its policies which call for great efforts to eradicate poverty and exalt the Khmer culture and tradition.
It highly appreciated the royal government of Cambodia for developing friendly and cooperative relations with other countries on the principle of sovereignty and independence, territorial integrity and non-interference in other's internal affairs and equality and reciprocity.
7. The Cambodian side warmly congratulated the Korean people on the successes made in the efforts to overcome temporary economic difficulties caused by natural disasters and build a powerful nation under Kim Jong Il's army-first revolutionary leadership and reconfirmed the fact that the independent policy of the DPRK government is greatly conducive to the peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in northeast Asia.
It also welcomed the historic inter-Korean summit and the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration adopted there and highly estimated the efforts made by the DPRK for its implementation.
It expressed the belief that the Korean people in the north and the south and overseas would certainly achieve the independent reunification of Korea by their concerted efforts in line with the declaration.
The King of Cambodia reiterated his full support to the policies for national reunification laid down by the workers' party and the government of Korea.
8. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the results of Kim Yong Nam's visit to Cambodia and manifested belief that his visit would make a great contribution to strengthening and developing the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two governments and peoples.
9. Kim Yong Nam invited King Norodom Sihanouk and the queen to pay state visit to the DPRK at a convenient time.
Norodom Sihanouk sincerely thanked him for the invitation and accepted it with pleasure.
U.S. interceptor missile test under fire
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry answered a question put by KCNA today assailing the recent missile interceptor test conducted by the United States.
He said:
The U.S. held a missile interceptor test on July 14. An intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Vandenberg air force base in California was struck by an interceptor missile launched from Kwajalein atoll of the Marshall islands.
The test, the first missile interceptor test since the emergence of the Bush administration, proves that the controversial "Missile Defence" system (MD) has, in fact, entered the phase of full-dress establishment. A new global arms race has, therefore, become unavoidable.
The U.S. persistent moves to establish the MD despite the unanimous domestic and foreign concern and protest is aimed to contain other big powers politically and militarily and establish its sphere of unchallenged domination over them in the 21st century and seek a way out of its domestic economic crisis in arms buildup.
The U.S. is citing the non-existent "Missile Threat" from the DPRK in order to cover up its true colours.
The DPRK is compelled to take a counter-action for self-defence by the U.S. deliberate provocation made to it in a bid to attain its sinister aim.
The DPRK will have nothing to lose even if all the points agreed upon between the DPRK and the U.S. are scrapped.
President Kim Yong Nam back home
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today returned home by a special plane after successfully wrapping up his 10-day official goodwill visits to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Coming back with him were minister of foreign trade Ri Kwang Gun, minister of culture Kang Nung Su, vice-minister of foreign affairs Pak Kil Yon, vice-chairperson of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Hong Son Ok and other suite members.
They were met at the airport by vice-president of the DPRK SPA Presidium Yang Hyong Sop, foreign minister Paek Nam Sun and other officials concerned, charges d'affaires a.i. and officials of the Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian embassies and diplomatic envoys of different countries here.
President Kim Yong Nam left Phnom Penh this morning at the end of his 4-day visit to Cambodia.
He was seen off at the airport by King of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk.
More than 100,000 Cambodians warmly saw off Kim and his party along the tens of km-long route from the royal palace to the airport.
A farewell function took place at the airport.
Kim Yong Nam met with Norodom Sihanouk this morning.