Kim Jong Il's work published in Romania
Pyongyang, February 26 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il's work "On Preserving The Juche Character And National Character Of The Revolution And Construction" was brought out in booklet by the Copertes Publishing House of Romania on Feb. 11.
The work was published on June 19, Juche 86 (1997). It clarifies the reason why preserving the Juche character and national character of the revolution and construction is the basic principle to be maintained in carrying out the cause of socialism, and the tasks and ways for its preservation.
Kim Yong Nam to visit Thailand and Malaysia
Pyongyang, February 26 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, will shortly pay an official goodwill visit to the kingdom of Thailand and Malaysia upon the invitation of Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Malaysian king Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail.
S. Korean police authorities' suppression denounced
Pyongyang, February 26 (KCNA) -- South Korean civic organizations including the "people's solidarity", the "Korean Confederation of Trade Unions" and the women's society for making peace reportedly denounced the police authorities for cracking down upon the civic rallies protesting against Bush's visit to South Korea by dint of force.
Representatives of the organizations on Feb. 22 visited the chief of the "national police office" to convey a letter condemning the policemen's merciless suppression.
When the police side turned down their demand, they read out the letter of protest in the street.
They declared that they would surely convey the letter of protest through interviews and take collective actions such as assessing all the damage caused by the suppression so as to find a legal solution, bringing a suit against the police for the suppression and presenting it to a "human rights committee."
That day the "national federation of press trade unions" released a statement as regards the police authorities' gang-suppression of journalists and disturbance of their news coverage.
In the statement the federation demanded the Seoul police office prove the truth about the suppression as soon as possible, punish those responsible for it and make open apology to the demonstrators and injured-mediapersons.
Anti-U.S. sentiment mounting in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 26 (KCNA) -- Anti-U.S. sentiment is mounting in South Korea following Bush's argument about the "axis of evil", according to a news report.
The South Korean newspaper Munhwa Ilbo and Radio Seoul conducted a joint opinion poll on Feb. 15 and 16. as a result, 73.1 percent of those polled said that Bush's remarks were improper as they had a negative impact on the south-north relations and the situation in northeast Asia.
According to an opinion poll conducted by the MBC on Feb. 18, 67 percent of the respondents said that bush's hardline policy towards the north is "not right".
In an opinion poll conducted by a specialized institution 70 percent of the respondents voiced opposition to Bush's remarks and six of ten pollees said that his remarks were prompted by the situation in the U.S. mainland including an off-year election and the interests of the Bush administration in the establishment of the missile defense system.
Besides, for more than half respondents noted that Bush's visit to South Korea would not help improve the inter-Korean relations. Answering the question "what will you do if the U.S. tries to mount an armed attack on the north" put by MBC, 83 percent of the pollees said "attack should be opposed."
S. Korean trade unions vow to stage strike
Pyongyang, February 26 (KCNA) -- The "Korean Confederation of Trade Unions" (KCTU) and the "Federation of Korean Trade Unions" (FKTU) decided to call a strike in protest against the privatization of public enterprises, according to Seoul-based radio reports.
The KCTU in a press interview on Feb. 21 demanded the repeal of an amendment to the "labor law" reflecting mainly the assertion of business circles and announced that over 100,000 workers of at least 140 work sites across South Korea including the Hyundai heavy industries co., ltd. would participate in the strike scheduled for Feb. 26.
That day the FKTU also held a press interview and criticized the authorities for ignoring the demand of workers while trying to privatize key industries including railways. It warned that it would counter the privatization with a general strike.
Meanwhile, the Hyundai Motor Trade Union held a meeting of deputies on Feb. 21 and announced that it would call a strike on Feb. 26 in order to prevent the amendment to the "labour law" from passing through the "extraordinary session of the national assembly" and have its demand for vital rights met.
Traitor's remarks under fire
Pyongyang, February 26 (KCNA) -- Some days ago, traitor Ri Hoe Chang was so impudent as to assert that the core of the issue of detente on the Korean Peninsula is to "defuse threat from north's weapons of mass-destruction" and call on it to "come out to settle the issue." He even talked the nonsense that South Korea and the United States "should set the people at ease" through "long-term cooperation."
Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary dismisses this as a repetition of war outcries of the U.S. imperialist warmongers who work hard to stifle the DPRK by force of arms, talking about the "axis of evil."
It continues:
During his recent junkets to Japan and South Korea, Bush, mentioning the DPRK, once again let loose bellicose outbursts that he "would never pardon" the regime which poses a "threat" to the U.S. and its allies with weapons of mass-destruction. It was brazen-faced for Ri Hoe Chang, president of an opposition party, to defend the U.S. imperialists' gangster-like logic and even urge the DPRK to come out to "settle the issue." He supported their scenario for a war against the north while groundlessly slandering the DPRK though it has made all its sincere efforts for national reconciliation, peace and reunification. This is only touching off the nation's bitter wrath and indignation.
In echoing his master's remarks about the "axis of evil" power-hungry Ri sought a sinister aim. His preoccupation is to become next "President" of South Korea in return for currying favour with the U.S. seized by war hysteria.
The Korean nation will never pardon U.S. servant Ri Hoe Chang but make him pay a thousand-fold price for his crimes.
Anecdotes about Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, February 26 (KCNA) It happened one day of may in Juche 53 (1964) when President Kim Il Sung's car reached a railway cross in Jagang Province on his field guidance.
A passenger train was seen standing nearby.
It was known later that the railway watch signaled to the train for a stop as he saw the president's to appear on the highway.
Upon learning this, he said in a strong tone that all cars should be subject to the railway rules and no one was allowed to stop a train as he pleased. He did not let his car drive across the railway cross till the train passed it.
In the early morning of a May Day of Juche 81 (1992) the president left Pyongyang for Kaesong on field guidance.
When he reached a point not far from Kaesong, the president told the chauffeur to stop the car and proposed to have a brief rest and breakfast.
Officials who accompanied him were at a loss what to do because he and his entourage were supposed to have a breakfast in the city.
Guessing their embarrassment, the president told them not to worry as he had made sure that breakfast boxes were prepared.
Then he asked his aide to give a box to each, adding it is good for them to spare time and not to cause any trouble to Kaesong citizens.
He continued his journey after taking boiled rice and some seasoned greens.
There is another anecdote about his noble personality.
It happened on march 13, Juche 47 (1958) when he dropped in at a department store during his field guidance.
He paused before a socks counter and asked to buy a pair of cotton socks.
A salesgirl hesitated to give him poor quality socks, a product of a local industrial factory.
Guessing her awkward position, the president said that was why he wanted to try them on.
The president bought the socks, adding why he should not wear the socks while people were using them.
"Illustrated Book of Korean Flora" published in DPRK
Pyongyang, February 26 (KCNA) -- "Illustrated Book of Korean Flora" (vols. 1 and 2) was brought out in the DPRK recently.
The book has brief explanatory notes and pictures of over 1,800 species of plants.
Volume 1 carries scientific names and habitats of natural plants and explains their use. It also puts former names and alias of some species of plants in brackets.
Volume 2 chiefly deals with one-leave plants as well as some two-leave plants including asterales and polypodiophyta.
It also edits species of ordinary plants growing in the mountains and fields and typical plants under cultivation in Korea.
Kuwol Mountain fort
Pyongyang, February 26 (KCNA) -- The.Kuwol Mountain fort was built to repulse the foreign aggression during the Koguryo dynasty (277 B.C-668 A. D.).
It is located between Anak and Unryul counties of South Hwanghae Province.
The total length of its stone walls is 5.23 km. It links Sahwang peak, the main peak of Mt. Kuwol 954 metres above the sea level, and peaks adjacent to it.
The height of the fortress which was solidly built with cut stones varies according to its topography. Its low portion is about 3.5 metres and its high portion 5.2 metres.
There are sites of fortress gates at its eastern, western and southern sides. And there are also sites of houses believed to be an arsenal, a provision store, a barrack, etc.
Storehouses were built inside the east and west gates of the fortress during the Ri dynasty (1392-1910). Stored in the western store were food grain collected from Samchon, Sinchon, Anak and Onchon areas and in the eastern store food grain from Unryul, Kwail, Songhwa, Jangyon and Ryongyon areas, etc. (at present).
In Mt. Kuwol there are many relics and remains including sites of stoves which made Koryo celadons.
The mountain is associated with the history of the struggle waged by the wise Korean people against foreign aggressors.
It is well known as one of the five famous mountains of Korea from olden times for its spectacular scenery of mountains and ravines. It has been built into an attractive scenic spot for tourists and holiday-makers.