S. Korean authorities' unwarranted step assailed
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea Sunday issued a statement denouncing the South Korean authorities for refusing to permit under an absurd pretext the Pyongyang visit of representatives of the "Korean Confederation of Trade Unions" (KCTU) and the "Federation of Korean Trade Unions" (FKTU) who have taken the lead in implementing the June 15 joint declaration.
At a time when all Koreans should pool their efforts to implement the joint declaration published by the north and south the South Korean authorities took the step of blocking the visit to the north of representatives of the unions, the statement noted, adding that this is an anti-reunification move that can never be justified.
It continued:
We bitterly condemn the moves to block dialogue and contact between non-governmental organizations by reviving fascist evil practices during the past military dictatorship in South Korea.
We hold that such unwarranted acts as suppressing the free activities of the KCTU and the FKTU for reunification and blocking their visit to Pyongyang in contravention of the spirit of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and the cause of national reunification should be unconditionally stopped in South Korea.
We will never tolerate any moves to bar the workers in the north and the south from achieving national unity and the reunification of the country.
We will firmly join hands with the South Korean workers in a more vigorous struggle to implement the joint declaration and frustrate the anti-reunification moves of the separatist forces through their concerted efforts.
U.S. accusation against DPRK over "nuclear issue" refuted
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- The U.S. diatribe against the DPRK over the "nuclear issue" has become very provocative and gone beyond the danger level.
In this regard Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary says:
Lurking behind the U.S. anti-DPRK smear campaign are two sinister aims. One of them is to escalate the hardline policy toward the DPRK under the pretext of its "nuclear issue" and ignite the second Korean war when an opportunity presents itself.
Another is to charge the DPRK with "possession of nuclear weapons" in a bid to divert the international community's criticism of the U.S. criminal nuclear policy to the DPRK and isolate it.
It was the U.S. which developed and used nuclear weapons for the first time in the world and it is again the U.S. which has deployed more nukes in its mainland and different parts of the world than any other countries.
Though it is talking about "nuclear disarmament", the U.S. is set to keep not a small number of the nuclear warheads to be dismantled in the nuclear arsenal and reuse them when necessary conditions are created.
This clearly shows the U.S. attempt to hold an unchallenged nuclear edge and pose a nuclear threat to humankind.
The U.S. is well advised to stop its foolish anti-DPRK smear campaign over its "nuclear issue" and redeem its crimes committed as a nuclear fanatic.
Bush's accusations denounced
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Various circles in South Korea became increasingly critical of U.S. President Bush's reckless remarks made against the north in his "state of the union address".
The south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) in a commentary titled "Bush should immediately halt reckless threat" published on Feb. 1 said:
The U.S., taking a unilateral posture after the "September 11 attacks", deliberately branded a number of countries that have not supported its assertion as "sponsors of terrorism" and Bush blustered that "the U.S. will not wait those countries to pose threat to it."
The U.S. should immediately halt its reckless moves to mount a "preemptive attack" on the north after unilaterally singling out the north as a member of the "axis of evil" before humankind.
The U.S. should respect the DPRK-U.S. agreement and honestly implement it. It should not force South Korea to pursue a hostile policy towards the north in the future under the pretext of "South Korea-U.S. cooperation".
The South Korean Youth Federation in a statement noted with concern that Bush's remarks might further strain the south-north relations. "Bush should immediately retract his remarks if he does not want to face resistance from the peace-loving Korean people," it warned.
The national council for independence and peaceful reunification in a statement held that those reckless remarks repeated by Bush and officials of his administration would have a serious baneful impact not only on the DPRK-U.S. relations but on the south-north relations and peace on the Korean peninsula.
Greetings to PM of Guinea-Bissau
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Alamara Inchia Nhasse upon his appointment as prime minister of Guinea-Bissau.
Expressing belief that the friendly relations between the governments and peoples of the two countries would grow stronger in the future, the message sincerely wished him great success in his responsible work for national unity and socio-economic development.
Meanwhile, foreign minister Paek Nam Sun sent a message of greetings to Filomena Mascarenhas Tipote upon his appointment as minister of foreign affairs, international cooperation and community of Guinea-Bissau.
Greetings to President of Sri Lanka
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, yesterday sent a message of greetings to Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of Sri Lanka, on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of its independence.
The message wished the president new success in her work for the stability and prosperity of the country and expressed belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the future.
Russian ambassador refers to Russia-DPRK relations
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Andrei Karlov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, referred to the relations between Russia and the DPRK and their prospect.
The Russian magazine Kurs-forum carried an account of his press conference, according to Radio Voice of Russia.
Expressing expectation that the relations between the two countries would positively develop in the near future, he said that he would do his utmost to carry out the tasks specified in the Russia-DPRK Moscow declaration as early as possible.
He continued:
The large project of linking the Trans-Siberian railway with the Korean longitudinal railway would be a plan of key importance in the economic cooperation between the two countries in a few years from now.
There is no need to make something new in the policy and line of Russia.
It is important to keep the developing relations between the two countries in all fields because Russia and the DPRK have long cooperated with each other.
Highly praising leader Kim Jong Il's visit to Russia, the ambassador stressed that his visit is of great significance and the agreements reached are of practical significance in promoting cooperation between the two countries and between the two peoples.
Referring to the issue of Korea's reunification, the ambassador noted that the Russian stand toward the issue is well known. He hoped that reunification, the long-cherished desire of the Korean people, would surely be achieved as early as possible.
Message of sympathy to Nigerian President
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on Feb. 1 sent a message of sympathy to Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigerian President, upon the recent heavy losses of human lives and materials caused by a large explosion in Lagos.
Upon hearing the sad news, the message expressed profound sympathy and consolation to the president and, through him, to the victims and their bereaved families.
The message hoped that the government and people of Nigeria would remove the aftermath of the incident and stabilize the living of the people in the afflicted area at an early date under the leadership of the president.
Over 3.1 million vols. of Kim Jong Il's works translated and published
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- 20 years have passed since leader Kim Jong Il's famous works were translated into foreign languages and printed in the DPRK in Juche 71 (1982).
Since then, more than 3,108,000 volumes of his 750 odd works have been translated into foreign languages and published.
In Juche 78 (1989) his 20 works were translated and published and 500,000 copies of them were distributed in different countries.
"Our socialism centered on the masses shall not perish," "The Historical Lesson in Building Socialism and The General Line Of Our Party," "Socialism is a Science," "Abuses of Socialism are Intolerable" and other works published by Kim Jong Il in the 1990s are celebrated works which clarify certain victory of socialism and ways of building it and fundamental principles to be adhered to in building a revolutionary party. They have given a powerful impetus to the movement for the revival of socialism, evoking a lively response among the world revolutionary people.
Translated versions of his works including "On The Juche Idea" (collection of works), "On Some Problems of Education in the Juche Idea," "On Some Questions in Understanding the Juche Philosophy" were reprinted several times for their rich ideo-theoretical content, philosophical depth, originality, great vitality and extraordinary influence.
Over 150,000 copies of translated versions of 40 works have so far been reprinted.
DPRK women's ice hockey team
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- The DPRK women's ice hockey team was organized in Juche 77 (1988).
The team has developed into one recognized by the world in a short span of time.
It placed first at the (b class) eligible match for the world women's ice hockey championships in Hungary in March Juche 89 (2000).
The organizing committee appraised captain Kang Hyon Suk as the best player and awarded technical prizes to Kang Hyon Suk, Han Jong Ae, Kwak Kum Sil and Kim Hye Ryon.
The team gave a good account of themselves to win other international matches, drawing concern of the world sports circle as a promising team.
Successful performances given by Phibada Opera Troupe in China
Beijing , February 3 (KCNA) -- The Phibada Opera Troupe on a visit to China gave performances in Guangzhou, Shijiazhuang, Beijing and other parts of china from Jan. 22 to Feb. 2.
Theatres were packed to capacity every day and performances were highly acclaimed by the audiences for their high ideological and artistic value.
After seeing the performances, audiences said that the Phibada Opera Troupe's presentations completely gripped their hearts. Now that arts are being reduced to something for pleasure and commercialized worldwide, it is not only a pride of Korea but a pride of humankind and the world culture to have genuine and graceful national arts, they added.
The director of the external relations department of the Chinese acrobats association said that aerial acrobatics of the DPRK on the world level and its dances rich in their national content and graceful and beautiful in rhythms are the masterpieces that can be created only under the guidance of a great teacher.
Thanks to the gifted and wise leadership of Kim Jong Il, the DPRK has become a country of arts envied by the world people, he stressed.
Working contact for north-south joint meeting
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- There was a working contact between representatives of organizations of the north and the south in Pyongyang from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 to open a north-south joint meeting to greet New Year 2002 for promoting national unity and reunification.
Present at the contact from the north side were representatives of the council for national reconciliation and from the south side representatives of the solidarity for reunification, the people's council for national reconciliation and cooperation, seven religious orders and the environment movement association.
Sharing the viewpoint that the historic June 15 joint declaration is an invariable milestone for national reunification which should be firmly adhered to and implemented under any circumstances and the inter-Korean relations should improve and the movement for national reunification should be further promoted this year in the spirit of the declaration, representatives of the north and the south organizations discussed urgent issues related to the reunification movement and adopted a relevant agreement.
The agreement paid a due attention to tensions and the danger of war escalating on the Korean peninsula due to foreign forces and set it as the main tasks of the reunification movement this year to remove this danger by the concerted efforts of the Koreans and realize national cooperation in order to implement the June 15 joint declaration.
It decided to hold the north-south joint meeting to greet the New Year 2002 for promoting national unity and reunification on Mt. Kumgang on Feb. 20 and 21.
Humanitarian aid from German government to DPRK
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- The German government today donated humanitarian aid materials, thousands of tons of frozen beef, to the DPRK with due ceremony at Nampho port.
Present at the ceremony were Ri Yong Sok, vice-chairman of the DPRK flood damage rehabilitation committee, officials concerned, Doris Hertrampf, German ambassador to the DPRK, embassy officials and members of the German aid delegation led by Christoph Burk, advisor of the German Association for Technical Aid, on a visit to the DPRK.
At the ceremony speeches were made and relevant documents were exchanged.
The German government's sincere delivery of humanitarian aid materials will encourage the Korean people who work hard to recover from the damage done by years of natural disasters.
Ri Hoe Chang's anti-north remarks assailed
Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the central committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party issued a statement Sunday denouncing Ri Hoe Chang, president of the "Grand National Party" of South Korea, for letting loose a spate of vituperation against the north.
Recalling that during his recent visit to the united states, he fully supported the bellicose Bush administration's hardline policy toward the DPRK and voiced strong opposition to the improvement of the inter-Korean relations, the statement said:
The c.c., the KSDP bitterly condemns Ri's remarks as an unpardonable challenge to all the fellow countrymen who are pooling their efforts to achieve the peace of the country and its independent reunification.
It continued:
Through his visit to the U.S. he laid bare his true colors as a traitor who stoops to any acts to hurt fellow countrymen and lay obstacles in the way of national reunification in reliance on his master in a bid to satisfy his unlimited greed for power.
If such a guy as Ri who is chilling inter-Korean reconciliation and unity and fanning up division and confrontation comes to power, it will bring to the nation nothing but disasters of a nuclear war.
We will force Ri to pay dearly for his crimes and call him to task to the last.
The statement called upon all the political parties, organizations and people from all walks of life in South Korea that value the dignity and sovereignty of the nation and want the reunification of the country according to the June 15 joint declaration to resolutely come out against the anti-national and anti-reunification moves of Ri Hoe Chang and his group.