Letter to Kim Jong Il

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) The representatives of the organizations of different organizations for friendship and solidarity with the Korean people and international organizations, who participated in the "Meeting to Co1gratulate the Sun of the 21st Century," sent a letter to leader Kim Jong Il on Feb. 19 before leaving the DPRK. The letter says:
    Through the "Meeting to Congratulate the Sun of the 21st Century," we have been convinced once again that your excellency Kim Jong Il was the only one who could lead to victory the humanity's cause for independence in the 21st century.
    In future, we will conduct energetic solidarity activities in support of the Korean people's cause for building a new independent and peaceful world, for reunifying the country and for constructing a powerful socialist state, holding your honorable excellency in high esteem as the great sun of the 21st century.
    We express sincere thanks to you for the provision of all kinds of conditions and warm hospitality by the friendly Korean people so that the "Meeting to Congratulate the Sun of the 21st Century" could proceed successfully in conformity with the expectations of the progressive peoples of the world.

Probe into truth behind Rogun-ri case called for

Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- The Committee for Probing the Truth about the Rogun-ri Massacre in South Korea mailed to the U.S. embassy in Seoul and the South Korean authorities on Feb. 15 letters urging the probe into the truth behind the Rogun-ri case with Bush's South Korea junket as a momentum, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported. The organization in a letter to the U.S. embassy said that as the report of the U.S. Defence Department about the investigation into the Rogun-ri case distorted its truth, a fair and correct reinvestigation should be made under the sponsorship of other organ and the U.S. government should take a step to make a reparation for damage done to the victims of the Rogun-ri case.
In a letter to the authorities, it said that they should make the U.S. government bear the legal responsibility for the case.

Wolfowitz's outburst flailed

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- U.S. deputy defense secretary Wolfowitz made remarks pulling up the DPRK again at the meeting of U.S.-Japan managers association held on Feb. 19. His remarks came when outcries of military and diplomatic officials of the U.S. administration kept chiming in with Bush's argument about "axis of evil."
    At the meeting he said North Korea is the world's no. 1 exporter of ballistic missiles and technology, which is in tune with the argument about "the world's biggest exporter of ballistic missiles" made by rice, assistant to the U.S. President for national security Wolfowitz's utterances are a revelation of the U.S. bellicose attempt to militarily control the DPRK under the cloak of "axis of evil."
    As everyone knows, the U.S. argument about "axis of evil" caused a sizzling stir worldwide and invited bitter condemnation of the international community.
    Upset by this, the U.S. bellicose elements are at pains to calm down the denunciation of the international community.
    Wolfowitz's absurd sophism of "no. 1 missile exporter" and "missile threat" is nothing but a base trick to cover up the U.S. aggressive nature.
    After the "Sep. 11 terrorist attacks", the U.S. is pulling up the DPRK over non-existing "missile threat" and intentionally capping it with a "missile exporter" in a bid to push ahead with the establishment of the MD system, the sophisticated ballistic weapon system.
    It is irrefutable that the U.S., world's biggest possessor and exporter of ballistic missiles, is practically posing "missile threat" to human beings.
    Such being the case, the U.S. is taking issue with some countries over the self-defensive military power and putting pressure on them like a thief crying "stop the thief".
    The U.S. military threat is rendering the situation of the Korean peninsula strained in the extreme.
    If the U.S. ignites a war of aggression in Korea, it will meet self-destruction.

Railway unionists on strike in S. Korea

Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- Over 1,000 unionists of the "National Railway Trade Union" held an inaugural ceremony of general strike at Seoul railway station plaza on February 17 for the withdrawal of a plan to privatize railways and improved working conditions, Seoul-based MBC said. They in a resolution threatened to call a general strike for an indefinite period on Feb. 25, unless demands for the total withdrawal of the plan and reinstatement of the dismissed workers are met.
At the end of the rally they marched the streets, shouting slogans such as "total lift of plan to privatize railways."

Kim Jong Il's birthday celebrated

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il's birthday was celebrated in various countries. Celebration meetings were held in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Romania, Libya, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Jordan, Egypt and many other countries.
    At the meetings, speakers congratulated Kim Jong Il on his birthday and spoke highly of his immortal feats.
    Kim Jong Il is an outstanding politician of the times, a great elder statesman of the international community and the sun of the 21st century, they said.
    Korean book, photo and handicraft exhibition, lecture meeting, film show and other events took place in Bulgaria, Benin, Peru, Guinea and France.
    It is stressed at the events that Kim Jong Il defended the Korean socialism and built up the DPRK into the fortress of socialism in the world with unique army-centered policy and benevolent policy.
    Meanwhile, the permanent secretariat of the organization of socialists in the mediterranean released a statement, the central committee of the communist party of Bulgaria a statement and the chairman of the executive council of the central committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party (Marxists) and the secretary of the central committee of the Revolutionary Socialist Party of India statements to the press on this occasion.
    In its sixth issue (special edition) the Russian newspaper patriot devoted 16 whole pages to photos of Kim Jong Il's revolutionary activities, his famous works, poems and articles praising him.

Wreaths placed before bust of Choe Chang Gol

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- Wreaths were laid before the bust of communist revolutionary fighter Choe Chang Gol in the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery on Mt. Taesong yesterday on the occasion of his 70th death anniversary. Choe devoted his youth and life to paving the way for the revolution of Juche, true to the idea and leadership of President Kim Il Sung at the dawn of the Korean revolution.
    Seen in front of the bust was a wreath from leader Kim Jong Il.
    Wreaths were placed in the name of ministries of the cabinet and national institutions.

Bush's junket denounced in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- Various organizations of South Korea have reportedly waged various forms of struggle against Bush's visit to South Korea. A "joint council of organizations against Bush's visit to South Korea" called an emergency press conference and a rally in protest against Bush's trip to South Korea at the Songnam airport on Feb. 19.
    Mun Jong Hyon, permanent representative of the people's action for the revision of the South Korea-U.S. "status of forces agreement", read out a press statement protesting against Bush's visit aimed to force South Korea to ignite a war of aggression, pursue the hostile policy toward the north, join in the Missile Defence system and purchase weapons.
    The preparatory committee for pro-reunification event common to the nation in the new year 2002, too, called a press conference.
    In a statement issued at the conference the organization said that Bush's visit gives rise to serious apprehensions of the world people and 70 million Koreans who love peace.
    A joint press interview was held at the Myongdong Cathedral in Seoul under the sponsorship of the "national people's solidarity" denouncing bush's visit to South Korea and Japan.
    A joint declaration carrying 8 demands including stop to the escalation of war and neo-liberal "globalization" and return of the U.S. military bases in South Korea and Japan was made public there.
    The reunification solidarity in a statement expressed its stand against Bush's visit to South Korea, saying that it would conduct an all-people anti-war, anti-U.S. and anti-Bush movement now that the U.S. is posing a threat to peace in the Korean peninsula and the rest of the world.
    The reunification youth, an investor behind the national alliance of youth and students for the country's reunification, released a statement titled "we resolutely oppose Bush's visit to South Korea that will ditch the June 15 joint declaration, provoke a war on the Korean peninsula and obliterate the nation.
    The "national association of bereaved families of civilians killed before and after the Korean War" held an emergency press interview on Feb. 18 and made public a press statement titled "Bush can not set his foot in this land without a sincere apology and compensation for the massacres of one million civilians".
    Members of the Songnam people's solidarity involving civic and labor organizations in Songnam area, Kyonggi Province and students of Kyongwon University, more than 250 in all, held a "rally against the transfer of Ryongsan U.S. base to Songnam and Bush's visit to South Korea" at a park on Feb. 16.
    The general federation of national artistes in South Korea issued a statement on Feb. 18 condemning the U.S. for listing the north as a member of "axis of evil".
    Paek Ki Wan, director of the unification study center, gave a lecture on the situation titled "opposition to bush's visit to South Korea" at which he said that "Bush's visit to South Korea leads to a war".

Japan's "reformist policy" assailed

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- The present ruling quarters of Japan are advocating "reformist policy," calling for "reform" in a bid to cause a great sensation upon Japanese political arena, save chaotic situation and steer "boat of militarism" with the redoubled efforts, Rodong Sinmun today in a singed article says. The article goes on:
    The Japanese chief executive repeatedly made clear his stand on official visit to "Yasukuni Shrine" which his predecessors hesitated to do so and, by making an official visit, gave a momentum to the revival of militarism.
    The Japanese militarists, terming the observance of the "peace constitution" as an old way of thinking unsuitable for the times, began to revise the "peace constitution" that no one dared to do so.
    Bills giving green light to the participation of "self-defense forces" in a war and related to the establishment of war-time system in the mainland were worked out one after another to be passed through the diet in Japan, which is first of its kind after its defeat in the war.
    After the enactment of the laws the "SDF" began its military operations in the Indian ocean area, fluttering Hinomaru after Japan's defeat in the war.
    The enactment of war laws and the "SDF"'s participation in overseas military operations are aimed to restore the position of the "empire" to the original status.
    The first-stage operation of Japan in obtaining the aim is to send the aggression forces overseas for military operations.
    Japan has already entered into the first-stage military operations and, through it, tries to expand the range of the "SDF"'s military actions.
    The present ruling quarters of Japan find the way out for active military overseas expansion in tightening military alliance with the U.S.
    The Japanese reactionaries are rushing headlong for overseas aggression like a poisonous snake.
    This is a true picture of the "reformist policy" of the present ruling quarters of Japan.

Hero painter Kim Tong Hwan

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- Kim Tong Hwan is a talented painter of the Korean painting production of the Mansudae Art Studio. Kim created hundreds of pieces of fine Korean paintings for more than 10 years in the past.
    He, born in Kaesong, a city near the demarcation line, made pictures of mountains and rivers of his native village and scenic spots and historical monuments in his childhood.
    His uncommon enthusiasm and unique art of drawing has always attracted the attention of many painters and fans.
    He became more famous by creating monumental masterpieces at the Mansudae Art Studio after graduating from Pyongyang University of Fine Arts.
    Over 80 pieces of works portraying the leader and tens of theme paintings and landscape paintings drawn by him are masterpieces of the times worthy of national treasure.
    Many works of them won gold medals at state art exhibitions.
    He was awarded the title of merited artist in Juche 86 (1997) and the title of Labour Hero in Juche 87 (1998) for his great contributions to the development of the Juche-based fine arts of the country.
    He, just turned fourties, is very promising.

Big chestnut of Jongju

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) - Big chestnut tree of Jongju is indigenous to Korea. It grows in Jongju, North Phyongan Province, and other western areas of the country.
    It is characterized by big nuts and high yield.
    One nut weighs 17-20 g usually.
    It blooms in late June and ripens between late September and early October. A dried nut contains 30.41 percent of starch, 4.44 percent of protein and 1.5 percent of oil.
    Its flesh is white and soft.
    The tree resists cold and harmful insects.
    As the pattern of the tree is pretty, it is widely used as materials of furniture and musical instruments.

Anecdotes about Kim Il Sung

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- There is a moving story about Phyongnam irrigation project. President Kim Il Sung dropped in at a rural village in South Phyongan Province to spend a night during his long journey of on-site guidance soon after the liberation of the country (August 1945). In the night he sat knee to knee with farmers to learn about their farming and living conditions.
    In the midst of the talk, a farmer burst into cough and many others followed him one after another.
    They were troubled with coughs and their flushed, tear-stained and distorted faces made others painful to see the president took close to heart the fact that they were suffering from an endemic disease as they drank standing water.
    He hardened his determination at once to start a project to admit water from other region.
    Thus beginning was the Phyongnam irrigation project to water the vast plains and farmers in the coastal area in the central part of the country. It was in autumn Juche 49 (1960) that the president saw a new apple tree planted in the garden around his house and asked officials where they brought it from. Upon hearing that they brought it from Kwail county, he instructed them to bring it back and plant it again in the orchard.
    He admonished the officials for uprooting the apple tree grown up by farmers with perspiration, saying that the orchard farm is a precious treasure to be handed down to the rising generations.
    The apple tree was replaced.
    There is another anecdote about him.
    It was on March 13, Juche 76 (1987). The president canceled his plan to go to the Kum Song General Tractor Works and called a consultative meeting of leading officials in the field of machine industry. At the meeting he told the officials that he canceled his plan to go to the works this morning because he heard that workers were working at the works with no heating.
    He reprimanded the officials for their irresponsible manner of work, saying how he could put on a fur cap and a woolen overcoat to go to meet the workers working at the work place where temperature was below zero.
    He saw to it that a measure was taken to provide heating to their working place.
    It was only once in his lifetime that he canceled his plan for pleasant on-site guidance.

Wednesday struggle against Bush's junket in Seoul

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- Struggles against Bush's junket yesterday continued in Seoul where Bush was staying, according to reports of Seoul-based radio no. 1 and MBC. In the afternoon over 3,000 members of more than 600 organizations including the "National People's Solidarity" and the "National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification" held an anti-U.S. rally at Jongmyo park to demand the U.S. withdraw its hostile policy towards the north.
    At least 1,000 students under the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon), the progressive students federation for the 21st century and other students' organizations held a rally of youth and students at Hanyang university to oppose Bush's South Korea visit.
    After the rally they staged an anti-U.S. demonstration, burning the stars and stripes.
    More than 30 members of a dissident organization paid a protest visit to a branch of the Boeing Company in Seoul in the afternoon.
    Students under the "National Students Council" launched a struggle to occupy the building of Youido Railway Station to hang a suspension poster carrying the letters "No War," "No (F-15) Arms" and "For Peace" on the advertisement board of the Boeing company on its fifth floor.
    Meanwhile, students under Hanchongryon occupied a large advertisement board of the Boeing Company set up on the top of a building in Youido, Seoul, and waged a sit-in struggle, shouting anti-U.S. slogans.
    Students of Yonsei University staged a surprise demonstration in front of the U.S. embassy, scattering copies of a protest letter and a written statement against Bush's tour.

U.S. warned to act with discretion

    Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today carries a signed commentary denouncing Bush for getting more vociferous in slandering the DPRK in the wake of listing it as a member of the "axis of evil" on January 30 and the warhawks of the U.S. administration for getting desperate in echoing Bush's remarks. Bush demanded that the DPRK show a "favor" by withdrawing some of conventional weapons deployed along the military demarcation line on the Korean peninsula and stop the export of missiles, warning that "there is possibility of various options" in case it does not carry them out.
    Saying that this suggests, in fact, the U.S. intention to provoke a war if the DPRK does not meet its demands, the commentary continues:
    It is ridiculous for the U.S. to resort to such a trite method to put the DPRK under its control.
    The DPRK is fully prepared to react to the U.S. military pressure and attack.
    If the U.S. wants to settle the issue of the DPRK-U.S. relations by force of arms the DPRK cannot but have recourse to arms.
    If it commits military provocations against the DPRK, the army and people of the DPRK will respond to them with only one option, the merciless annihilation of aggressors

Greetings to prime minister of Saint Lucia

Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Kenny Anthony, prime minister of Saint Lucia, on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of its independence. The message expressed belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms, and wished the prime minister and people of Saint Lucia greater success in their work for the prosperity of the country.