Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry slams Bush's accusations
Pyongyang, January 31 (KCNA) - A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK released a statement today denouncing U.S. President Bush for revealing a reckless attempt to stifle the DPRK by force of arms.
The full text of the statement reads:
U.S. President Bush in a "State of Union Address" made at the joint session of the congress on Wednesday groundlessly linked those countries that go against the grain with the U.S. with terrorism, openly revealing his dangerous attempt to stifle them by force of arms.
Groundlessly pulling up the DPRK over the development and possession of weapons of mass destruction, Bush let loose a string of such vituperation as terming the DPRK and some other countries as "countries threatening the U.S. and world peace" and an "axis of evil".
And he blustered that the United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten the U.S. with the world's most destructive weapons."
He has been free to make anti-DPRK remarks since he came to power.
But his recent remarks explicitly seek an ulterior political aim.
It is well known that since he came to power, U.S. friction with other countries has become frequent and international relations have got more turbulent than ever before.
The U.S. is in the grip of a serious economic recession that could hardly be seen in the days of the Democratic Party administration, there were large-scale attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the U.S. Department of Defence building in Washington and large scandals related to the administration have been brought to light.
This is entirely attributable to the unilateral and self-opinionated foreign policy, political immaturity and moral leprosy of the Bush administration.
Herein lie answers to questions as to why the modern terrorism is focussed on the U.S. alone and why it has become serious while Bush is in office.
The reality goes to clearly prove that the root cause of all misfortune is the reckless strong-arm policy of the Bush administration.
Such being a hard fact, Bush, making a profound confusing of right and wrong, foolishly attempts to ascribe all accusations made against it at home and abroad due to his reactionary and chauvinist policy to "terrorism".
What merits a serious attention is that Bush disclosed his reckless attempt to stifle the DPRK by force of arms.
There has been no precedent in the modern history of DPRK-U.S. relations that in his policy speech the U.S. President made undisguised threatening remarks on aggression and threat against the DPRK, an independent and sovereign state.
This is, in fact, little short of declaring a war against the DPRK.
Nice words for nice words.
We cannot but take a serious view of the dangerous remarks made by Bush from the outset of the year.
His remarks clearly show what a real aim the U.S. sought when it proposed to resume the talks with the DPRK recently and why did the present U.S. administration rule out even the possibility of seeking a negotiated settlement of the nuclear and missile issues created in the period of the preceding administration.
The prevailing situation where the U.S. openly disclosed its intention to stifle the DPRK by force of arms makes us keenly realize once again what a just stand the DPRK took when it has followed the U.S. with vigilance and what a far-sighted policy it has pursued to equip itself with powerful offensive and defensive means, tightening its belt.
We are sharply watching the disturbing moves of the United States that has pushed the situation of the brink of war after throwing away even the mask of "dialogue" and "negotiations."
The option to "strike" impudently advocated by the U.S. is not its monopoly.
The heroic Korean people's Army and people will never tolerate the U.S. reckless attempt to stifle the DPRK by force of arms but mercilessly wipe out the aggressors.
Probe into truth about U.S. mass killings@called for
Pyongyang, January 31 (KCNA) -- The south headquarters of the nationwide special investigation committee for probing the truth behind GIs' massacres (Jonminthukwi) reportedly issued an urgent statement on Jan. 26 as regards the disclosure of GIs' mass killings of civilians made by BBC.
The statement quoted BBC as saying that civilians were killed by U.S. forces in many other places during the Korean War besides the Rogun-ri massacre, and the U.S. command issued an order to indiscriminately kill civilians.
This once again objectively supports the assertion of jonminthukwi that U.S. forces committed organized and premeditated mass killings throughout the Korean peninsula, it said.
It recalled the fact that at the Korean War crimes tribunal held in New York in June last year the organization condemned the U.S. crimes before the world conscience and declared it guilty.
But the U.S. has denied the crimes related to the mass killings in Rogun-ri, it noted, demanding the U.S. clarify the truth before the world conscience and bear full responsibility for the crimes.
Accusing the South Korean authorities of failing to properly probe the truth while reading the U.S. face, the statement said that they, though belatedly, should promptly probe the truth about the mass killings committed before, after and during the Korean War and come out to reinstate those who met grievous deaths.
Obstructive moves against Mt. Kumgang tourism slammed
Pyongyang, January 31 (KCNA) -- A gang of the "Grand National Party" (GNP) in South Korea is pulling up the DPRK over Mt. Kumgang tourism in a bid to strain the inter-Korean relations. Commentaries on it were released reportedly by the south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) and the reunification solidarity for the implementation of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration and peace of the Korean peninsula.
"GNP" president Ri Hoe Chang asserted that "it is undesirable for the government to give financial support to the north as there is no change there". Meanwhile, a spokesman for this "party" argued "what matters is the use of the inter-Korean cooperation fund to cover the loss of a private business group" and that "now is the time to reshape the policy toward the north."
The south headquarters of Pomminryon in a commentary on Jan. 22 held that Mt. Kumgang tourism is not a mere undertaking to bring profits to a business group but a symbolic work for national prosperity which reflects the desire of the nation for reunification and brings benefits to both the north and the south of the country.
It further said: However, Ri Hoe Chang and his "GNP" are putting the brake on this work, clamouring about "business theory and the principle of market economy." This is nothing but an anti-national act of those seeking only political interests.
The reunification solidarity said in its Jan. 25 commentary said: The "GNP" group has made such silly argument as "market economy", applying the view on the "value of commodities" into Mt. Kumgang tourism, in a bid to obstruct this work. It fully reveals that they are depraved guys indifferent to morality and the nation.
The "GNP" is making desperate efforts to lay obstacles in the way of the south-north exchange and cooperation, talking about "nationwide consensus and transparency". But, it will only reveal its true colors more clearly, it said.
Joint New Year editorial of DPRK favored in@over 60 countries
Pyongyang, January 31 (KCNA) -- The joint editorial of the newspapers of the party, the army and the youth league in the DPRK under the headline "Glorify this year of President Kim Il Sung's 90th birthday as a year of a new surge in the building of a powerful nation" is evoking response in the world public.
The joint editorial is reflecting the indomitable faith, will and revolutionary spirit of socialist Korea.
Political, public and media figures got together to hear the joint editorial in Kathmandu, Nepal. seminars, lectures, reading sessions and other colorful functions to study and disseminate the joint editorial were held by political parties, organizations and Juche idea study groups in more than 60 countries including Pakistan, India, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria and Peru.
Meanwhile, statements were issued or press conferences and round-table talks held by the general secretary of the central committee of the People's Socialist Party of Mexico, the first secretary of the c.c., the Communist Party of Bulgaria, the general secretary of the party for unity and progress of Guinea, the general secretary of the c.c., the Workers' Party of Bangladesh and other foreign party leaders, political parties, organizations, international and regional organizations and personages from all walks of life.
The world public unanimously stressed that the Korean people's signal achievements in building a powerful nation last year were the brilliant result of the unique army-based policy and energetic external activities of leader Kim Jong Il.
They expressed firm belief that the Korean people would glorify this year as a year of a new leap in building a powerful nation and accomplish the cause of national reunification without fail.
Book "Country of Brilliant Star" published in Egypt
Pyongyang, January 31 (KCNA) -- Yahiya Jakariya Hairallah, secretary general of the Arab art, culture and information association of Egypt and chairman of the Egyptian committee for the study of the Juche idea, wrote a book "Country of Brilliant Star" in praise of leader Kim Jong Il on the occasion of his birthday.
A book-publishing ceremony was held at the permanent office of the Afro-Asian Book Union on Jan. 26.
On display at the ceremony hall were photos showing the revolutionary activities and exploits of Kim Jong Il.
The secretary general at the ceremony said that Kim Jong Il is the great leader who has led the Korean people to victory, guiding the party, the state and the army of the DPRK as a whole for nearly 40 years and a veteran statesman in the world who has made tireless efforts for the Korean revolution and global independence.
He has developed in depth the Juche idea founded by President Kim Il Sung and wisely led the Korean people to work world-startling miracles in all political, military, economic and cultural sectors, the secretary general said, and stressed:
Kim Jong Il has firmly defended the sovereignty of the country with his army-based policy. Under his leadership the Korean people will achieve national reunification and build a powerful nation.
The secretary general introduced the content of the book.
congratulatory speeches were made at the ceremony.
King Wang Kon's mausoleum
Pyongyang, January 31 (KCNA) -- King Wang Kon's mausoleum is a valuable cultural treasure which bears witness to the long history and cultural tradition of the Korean nation.
King Wang Kon was the founder of Koryo, the first unified state in the Korean history which existed from 918 to 1392.
His founding of Koryo in 918 was followed by the unification of Silla and late Paekje with it in 935 and 936 respectively. He thus achieved the territorial unification and opened the way for unified development of the nation for the first time in the Korean history.
His mausoleum was splendidly rebuilt on January 31, Juche 83 (1994) on the occasion of his 1117th birthday to hand down his feats to posterity.
It is situated at the foot of Mt. Songak of Kaephung county, Kaesong city.
Around the mausoleum there are a house for memorial service, stone statues, a monument to its reconstruction, a park, etc.
The mausoleum covers a total area of 55,000 square meters.
It was built in a three-tier architectural style.
The mausoleum is railed off. There are also statues of four Korean tigers, eight civil and military officials, stone lanterns and a pair of stone posts.
Exquisitely carved stone screen and other granite statues bear witness to a high level of stone workmanship in the period of Koryo.
There are murals on the four walls and ceiling inside the mausoleum. All the murals retain their original colors though over 1,000 years have passed since they were painted.
Bamboo, pine tree, blue dragon, white tiger, plum blossom and others depicted on the murals are symbolic of the firm principle, wisdom and strong spirit of the Korean nation.
Displayed in the house for memorial service are a portrait of Wang Kon and six art works on his activities.
Greetings to King of Jordan
Pyongyang, January 31 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Tuesday sent a message of greetings to Abdullah the second, king of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on the occasion of his 40th birthday.
The message sincerely wished the king good health and happiness as well as greater success in his work for the stability and prosperity of the country.
It expressed the conviction that the friendly relations between the two countries would strengthen and develop in conformity with the interests and desire of the two peoples.
Credentials presented to Kim Yong Nam by new Algerian ambassador
Pyongyang, January 31 (KCNA) -- Madjid Bouguerra, new Algerian ambassador to the DPRK, presented his credentials to Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Vice-minister of foreign affairs Kung Sok Ung was present there.
After receiving credentials, the president had a talk with the ambassador.
Senior DPRK officials meet new ambassadors
Pyongyang, January 31 (KCNA) -- Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a conversation with Jalaleddin Namini Mianji, newly appointed ambassador of Iran to the DPRK, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today when he paid a courtesy call on him.
Foreign minister Paek Nam Sun separately met and had conversations with the Iranian ambassador and new Algerian ambassador to the DPRK Madjid Bouguerra.