Condolences to Malaysian acting king
Pyongyang, November 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, yesterday sent a message of condolences to Malaysian acting king Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
Upon hearing the sad news that Malaysian King Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah died of illness, the message expressed deep condolences to the acting king and, through him, to the bereaved family.
Benin Pyongyang Cultural Exchange Center established
Pyongyang, November 23 (KCNA) -- An inaugural ceremony of the Benin Pyongyang Cultural Exchange Center was recently held.
The center will conduct positive activities including Korean book and photo exhibitions, distribution of publications and lecture meetings.
DPRK delegate speaks at third committee of 56th UN General Assembly
Pyongyang, November 23 (KCNA) -- A DPRK delegate made a speech at the meeting of the third committee of the 56th United Nations General Assembly on Nov. 15 when the "human rights issue" was under discussion. He recalled that the world is witnessing more blatant human right abuses of various forms in the international arena such as political, economic and military intervention, unilateral high-handed practices, acts of splitting the nations, assaults on minorities and women and national chauvinism.
If such high-handed practices as a strong country suppresses a weak country are allowed to go on, it will only spark resistance and confrontation in the international arena, he said, and continued:
If genuine human rights are to be protected and promoted, it is necessary to establish equal relations between states and realize international cooperation on the basis of impartiality and mutual respect.
Accusing the U.S. delegation of pulling up the DPRK over the "human rights issue," he dismissed it as a product of the premeditated plot to impair its authority.
The U.S. had better examine its worst human rights situation and open it to the world before talking about "human rights issue" in other countries, he noted, and continued:
All member countries of the U.N. should promote international cooperation in the spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation on the principle of equal sovereign right and respect for free choice.
Such "humanitarian" interference as infringing upon the sovereignty of an independent state under the signboard of "protecting human rights" should not be justified.
It is urgent to give priority to the right to existence and development, an inseparable factor of protecting and promoting human rights.
All the policies of the DPRK government are based on the Juche idea which regards man as most valuable and makes everything serve him.
The DPRK will continue to strengthen the people-centered system chosen and liked by the people.
The DPRK will respect the international conventions on human rights and pursue the relevant dialogue and cooperation on this principle and in that direction.
The DPRK will in the future, too, positively contribute to the international cooperation in order to guarantee the people genuine rights.
Remains of patriots discovered in Sinchon
Pyongyang, November 23 (KCNA) -- Remains of patriots killed by soldiers of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces and reactionaries during the Korean War (June 25, 1950-july 27, 1953), were unearthed in Sinchon, South Hwanghae Province.
GIs killed in cold blood over 35,000 or one fourth of the population of Sinchon county in 50 odd days of their temporary occupation of the county. for this, Sinchon is widely known to the world.
Remains of 59 people were seen buried in the site of a trench built at the foot of Mt. Pombawi in Sinchon township.
According to the testimony of a witness Ri Song Jin, 65, the enemy tortured to death many patriots in the basement of the Sinchon church in October 1950 before their dead bodies and half-dead people were carried to the trench to be buried.
218 relics of over 40 kinds including buckles, hairpins and empty cartridges were also discovered there.
Japan described as running dog of U.S.
Pyongyang, November 23 (KCNA) -- Soldiers of the Japan "Self-Defense Forces" are reported to have begun performing guard duties inside the U.S. military bases in Japan since November 20.
In this regard Rodong Sinmun today says in a signed commentary:
This eloquently proves that Japan is a "running dog" of the U.S.
Japan is becoming more faithful in its service for its master, the U.S., than any other U.S. allies.
This is clearly evidenced by the fact that Japan contributes almost 5 billion dollars annually as expenses for the upkeep of the U.S. bases in Japan. This is 10 percent of its annual military spending.
It was by no means fortuitous that the u.s. secretary of defense praised such "contribution" of Japan as "a model to be followed by the U.S. allies." The prolonged presence of the U.S. forces in Japan is increasing Japan's military dependence upon the U.S.
However, Japan is considering the U.S. as heaven and providing all necessary conditions for its forces' stay there.
All facts go to eloquently prove that U.S. assertion that its forces' presence in Japan is for its "security" is nothing but a sheer lie.
No country in Asia threatens to invade or attack Japan.
Such a thing did not happen in the past nor is likely to happen at present.
On the contrary, other Asian countries are exposed to the threat of Japan's military aggression and attack.
Having wound up its war preparations, Japan has legally paved the way for overseas aggression. It is now ready to mount an attack.
Japan's armed forces trained as running dogs of the U.S. are about to pounce upon the Asian people, grinding their poisonous teeth with vexation.
Japan has emerged a real aggression force, war force threatening peace in Asia.
Posters of mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang" created
Pyongyang, November 23 (KCNA) -- The Mansudae Art Studio and other art creation units of the DPRK have produced posters and logos of the mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang" to be given here from the end of April to the end of June, Juche 91 (2002).
They intensively deal with several scenes of the performance.
Written on the posters are letters "Mass Gymnastic and Artistic Performance 'Arirang'" and "100,000-strong Mass Gymnastic and Artistic Performance 'Arirang'".
They also depict artistes presenting graceful dances in gorgeous national dresses and school youth and children performing dynamic gymnastics against the background of the may day stadium.
They represent those visiting Pyongyang to see the extravaganza and a man and a woman reluctant to part from each other the story of whom has been handed down with the song "Arirang."
Diverse are logos of the performance.
The main logo has the letter "Arirang" written inside a circle of three colours, the colours for the DPRK flag, and depicts a scene of the performance presented at the May Day Stadium.
The posters and logos will draw keen interest of the people at home and abroad in the performance "Arirang."
Over ten parks under construction in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, November 23 (KCNA) -- More than ten parks are now under construction in different parts of Pyongyang in the period of the general mobilization for autumn land management.
The parks now being built in the open spaces before Pyongyang Railway Station and Pothonggang Railway Station, in front of the Munsu Health Complex, and in Ansan, Ryugyong, Unha, Puksae, Janggyong, Songyo, Kwangbok and other places will be good places for rest and entertainment.
The total area of the parks will be scores of hectares.
The parks will have various amusement facilities, stone tables, benches, chessboards, yut-game boards and koni boards.
Hills made up of diverse stone sculptures and mysterious cliffs will be artificially created for children.
Parks will be covered with turf and blocks.
Flower gardens of different shapes will appear in the parks.
They will be enclosed by quick hedges and fences to match their scenic beauty.
Torchlight of Ranam to flare up all over country
Pyongyang, November 23 (KCNA) -- The torchlight of Ranam was lit in the DPRK to bring about fresh leap in the 21st century.
The workers of the Ranam coal mining machine complex in the northern part of the country held high this torchlight to effect fresh boost in production.
They demonstrated the mettle of the Korean working class by unconditionally implementing the tasks given by the party in the spirit of devotedly defending the leader and the do-or-die spirit, not just saying empty words or shouting empty slogans.
Leader Kim Jong Il highly praised their unshakable revolutionary spirit and revolutionary way of struggle and lit the torchlight of Ranam, the torchlight of creation and innovation, with a view to making a leaping advance in the drive to build a prosperous and powerful nation in the new century.
Encouraged by this, officials and workers in various sectors of the DPRK are renewing their firm determination to vigorously beat drums to step up the drive for building a powerful nation in the era of army-based policy.
Kim Yong Nam, first vice-minister of metal and machine building industries, vowed to be a genuine loyalist in the army-centered era, who works with a high sense of responsibility and total devotion and lives up to Kim Jong Il's trust with good results in work like the officials of Ranam.
Ri Man Song, vice-minister of agriculture, said that officials and workers in the sector of agriculture would bring about a signal innovation in the agricultural production under the uplifted slogan "Let us accelerate the revolutionary advance in the new century, holding high the torchlight of Ranam lit by the great leader Kim Jong Il"
Kim Sok Hun, secretary of the primary party committee of the August 10 Mine, said that his mine would make signal innovations and leaping advances with the same vim and vigour as were displayed by the workers of Ranam.
The militant spirit, trait and work style displayed by the workers of Ranam are prevailing all over the country.