Kim Jong Il inspects KPA unit no. 891
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il on Friday inspected KPA unit no. 891.
He was accompanied by KPA generals Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong and Ri Yong Chol, first vice department director of the WPK Central Committee.
Looking down over a vast expanse of defence theatre from a forward command post of the unit, Kim Jong Il aquatinted himself in detail with the topography and the deployment of forces and received a report on the situation from its commander.
He was greatly satisfied to learn that the servicemen of the unit have consolidated all the operational zones as an impregnable fortress and creditably carried out their duty in hearty response to the WPK's military line of self-defence. He highly appreciated the achievements made by the unit.
He said that the Korean revolution is sure to triumph as the dependable soldiers, who share their destiny with the party and are determined to make with loyalty a long march of revolution to the last, are firmly standing guard over the defence line of the country.
The duty of the unit is very important, he said, advancing highly important tasks which would serve as a guideline in increasing in every way the combat capability of the unit.
The next leg of his inspection was a women's unit under the unit.
Seeing the soldiers of the unit in training, he was satisfied to see all of them trained as indomitable fighters reliably defending the security of the country and the people.
He went round an education room, bedroom, mess, washroom and other entertainment and logistic facilities.
He praised the officers and men of the unit for having created excellent living conditions and brought about a marvelous change in the supply service.
Saying that all the soldiers are proud creators of new culture, a new life, he noted that the army, indeed, serves as the most excellent school of revolution, a school for human cultivation.
That day he met with triplet sisters Yun Hwang Ok, Yun Kum Ok and Yun San Ok, private first class soldiers who are serving in the same company of the unit, and enjoyed an art performance given by soldiers of the unit.
He gave the soldiers of the unit a pair of binoculars, a machine-gun and an automatic rifle as gifts and had a photograph taken with them.
Bush's hostile policy toward DPRK assailed
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- Voices denouncing U.S. President Bush's hostile policy toward the DPRK are growing stronger as the days go by.
The Asian Regional Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification, the All India Indo-Korean Friendship Association and the Indian Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification in a joint statement on Feb. 25 bitterly denounced bush for revealing his dangerous attempt to stifle the DPRK by force, wantonly encroaching upon its sovereignty and undisguisedly interfering in its internal affairs during his trip to Asian countries.
The statement said: Bush's outbursts are arousing surging resentment of all the Korean people and the world progressives.
Bush should make an honest apology to the Korean people for his outbursts and withdraw the U.S. troops and weapons of mass destruction from South Korea at once for the independent reunification of Korea.
The Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea in a statement issued on the same day said that Bush's outbursts against the DPRK system are an insult to the sentiment of the Korean people based on its political system and a mockery of the peace-loving people the world over.
8 political parties and organizations of Bangladesh including the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, the socialist party of workers and peasants of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh-DPRK Friendship Association in a joint statement issued that day said:
We hold that with his arrogant outbursts the lunatic U.S. President can never tell on the world people.
The world peace-loving people are standing by the side of socialist Korea opposed to the U.S. imperialists.
Round-table talks on anti-Bush struggle in S. Korea
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- Round-table talks were reportedly held in Seoul on Feb. 23 to review the South Korean people's struggle against Bush's South Korea visit.
Present there were O Jong Ryol, permanent chairman of the "National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification", Mun Jong Hyon, permanent representative of the people's action for the revision of the South Korea-U.S. "status of forces agreement", and Jong Jong Song, interim chairman of the Seoul district federation of university student councils.
The participants said that the anti-bush campaign provided a very important occasion in bringing about new progress in the activities of civic organizations and a rapid change in the sentiment of all members of the South Korean society towards the U.S.
Saying that Bush fully revealed that there is no change in the U.S. intention to stifle the north by "force" and ignite a war on the Korean Peninsula, they were unanimous in stressing the need to more vigorously push ahead with the all-people anti-U.S. movement on a long-term basis.
They warned the "government" and the authorities that crimes such as treachery and "cooperation" with foreign forces will never be pardoned.
Tree planting day observed in DPRK
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- The DPRK is observing the day of tree planting (March 2).
Meetings are being held across the country to carry through the instructions of leader Kim Jong Il for planting trees well in spring and protecting land and environment.
Meetings took place at units of the three services of the Korean People's Army and military academies at all levels.
Present there were Jo Myong Rok, director of the general political department of the KPA, Kim Il Chol, minister of the people's armed forces, senior officials of the ministry and generals, officers and men of KPA units.
The meetings underscored the need for KPA soldiers to rise up as one in the worthwhile work to turn the whole country into a thick woodland and greenery true to the supreme commander's grand plan for land building.
On March 1, working people held a meeting at the Munsubong Revolutionary Site in Pyongyang, school youth and children a meeting in the area of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace, agricultural workers a meeting in Chongsan-ri, Kangso district, Nampho, and women's union members a meeting at the arboretum of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace.
Present at the meetings were premier Hong Song Nam of the cabinet, secretary Han Song Ryong of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-president Yang Hyong Sop of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and other senior party and state officials.
That day meetings were held and trees planted in all provinces, cities and counties.
Reception given by German ambassador
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- Doris Hertrampf, German ambassador to the DPRK, hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Club for the diplomatic corps Friday evening on the occasion of the first anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Germany.
Present on invitation were minister of culture Kang Nung Su, vice-minister of foreign affairs Choe Su Hon, vice-minister of foreign trade Kim Yong Jae, vice-minister of public health Choe Chang Sik, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Jon Yong Jin who is also chairman of the Korea-Germany Friendship Association and other officials concerned, diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations here.
Staff members of the embassy and German guests staying in Korea were on hand.
Speeches were made there.
A performance was given by the Yun I Sang symphony orchestra at the reception.
Anti-U.S. struggle in S. Korea
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- Over 80 student organizations of universities and high schools staged anti-U.S., anti-Bush struggle across South Korea with his visit to South Korea as a momentum, according to a news report.
Seoul national university, Hanyang University, Kyonggi University and many other universities hung large placards bearing the letters "opposition to Bush's South Korea visit" and from Feb. 18 to 20 41 universities released statements in protest against his visit.
The national council of representatives of high schools an umbrella organization, of student councils of over 60 high schools, also issued a statement in which they stated: "We oppose South Korea visit of Bush, henchman of the munitions industry and war servant."
After Feb. 18 students left schools for subway stations and the centre of the city to conduct anti-U.S. activities every day while distributing literature.
They staged a surprise occupation and demonstrations against U.S. institutions and facilities such as the U.S. chamber of commerce and industry, the U.S. embassy, the Boeing office and the U.S. military base in Taegu and at least 400 students of more than 30 universities staged a hunger sit-in.
Inter-sector talks held between DPRK and Thailand
Bangkok, March 1 (KCNA) -- Inter-sector talks between the DPRK and Thailand were held in Bangkok today.
Present at the talks on the DPRK side were foreign minister Paek Nam Sun, minister of foreign trade Ri Kwang Gun, president of the academy of sciences Ri Kwang Ho and acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol, and on the Thai side foreign minister Surakiat Sathirathai, minister of commerce Adisal Potharamik, minister of science, technology and environment Sonthaya Khunplum and minister of education Suwit Khunkitti.
At the talks the two sides exchanged views on the issue of putting the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries on a new higher stage and a series of matters of common concern and reached a consensus of views on the issues discussed.
The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
GNP president's outbursts under fire
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- The secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland today issued information bulletin no. 815 assailing president of the "Grand National Party" of South Korea Ri Hoe Chang for letting loose a spate of vituperation against the north, pursuant to the U.S. hard-line policy.
Ri Hoe Chang chimed in with the U.S. brigandish argument on February 21, saying that "South Korea and the U.S. should work out a concrete strategy against the north through bilateral understanding and close cooperation" and "it is necessary to find a solution to the issue of north's weapons of mass destruction."
He went the length of asserting that the "north's excessive deployment of conventional weapons and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction" pose threats to the security of the Korean peninsula.
He got on the nerves of the fellow countrymen and incited confrontation, echoing outbursts of his U.S. master. This is one more unpardonable crime against the nation.
He is making such desperate efforts not because of any "threat" from somebody but because he is keen to come to power with the U.S. backing.
The secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland bitterly denounces thrice-cursed traitor to the nation Ri Hoe Chang for totally negating the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration contrary to the unanimous desire of all the compatriots and posing a great threat to the movement for peace and reunification of the country as an arch lackey of the U.S. warmongers.
At this crucial juncture when the nation is standing at the crossroads of war or peace and the rise or fall of the nation nothing is more dangerous and treacherous than favouring the U.S. war moves.
If Ri is allowed to continue treachery and sabre-rattling, the Korean nation can never escape a scourge of war.
The patriotic youth and students and other people in South Korea should dislodge him from the political arena and throw him overboard once and for all.
Ri is well advised to behave with discretion, clearly mindful that joining hands with foreign forces while betraying fellow countrymen would lead him to self-destruction.
Talks held between Kim Yong Nam and Thai prime minister
Bangkok, March 1 (KCNA) -- Talks between President Kim Yong Nam of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were held at the Thai government building today.
At the talks they informed each other of the situation in their countries, exchanged views on the issue of boosting the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in the new century and international issues of mutual concern and reached a consensus of views on many issues discussed.
The DPRK side clarified its government's stand toward the regional and international situation and expressed its will to expand and develop the friendly and cooperative relations in line with the requirements and interests of the two peoples.
The Thai side manifested its will to intensify the exchange of delegations between the two countries and expand economic and trade relations so as to boost the ties of friendship and cooperation and reiterated its full support for the June 15 north-south joint declaration.
Present there on the DPRK side were foreign minister Paek Nam Sun, minister of foreign trade Ri Kwang Gun, president of the academy of sciences Ri Kwang Ho, acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol, DPRK ambassador to Thailand Jo In Chol and other suite members.
Present on the Thai side were deputy prime minister and minister of finance Somkid Chatusripitak, the minister of foreign affairs, the minister of commerce, the minister to the prime minister's office, the trade representative of the prime minister's office and other officials concerned.
The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Kim Yong Nam visits Thai King
Bangkok, March 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, paid a courtesy call on Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, today.
The president conveyed the friendly regards of leader Kim Jong Il to the king.
Expressing his deep thanks for this, the king asked him to convey his wholehearted greetings to Kim Jong Il.
From an international point of view Korea's reunification is very important, he stressed, expressing hope that the objective of the president's Thai visit would be achieved to help the two countries boost the bilateral relations and cooperate with each other more closely in the international arena.
Present there were DPRK foreign minister Paek Nam Sun, minister of foreign trade Ri Kwang Gun, DPRK ambassador to Thailand Jo In Chol and other suite members.
Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and other officials concerned were on hand.
Kim Yong Nam meets senior officials of Thai national assembly
Bangkok, March 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, respectively met and had a friendly talk with president of the national assembly Uthai Pimchaichon and speaker of the senate Manoonkrit Rookajorn at the National Assembly Building on March 1.
Present there were foreign minister Paek Nam Sun, minister of foreign trade Ri Kwang Gun, president of the academy of sciences Ri Kwang Ho and acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol, DPRK ambassador to Thailand Jo In Chol and other suite members.
Also present were minister to the prime minister's office Krasae Chanawongse and other officials concerned.
Agreements on cooperation signed between governments of DPRK and Thailand
Bangkok, March 1 (KCNA) -- An agreement on the encouragement and protection of investment between the governments of the DPRK and Thailand, an agreement on cultural cooperation between them and an agreement on the exchange of news and mutual cooperation between the central news agency of the DPRK and the news agency of Thailand were signed in Bangkok on march 1.
Present at the signing ceremony were Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and Thaksin Shinawatra, prime minister of Thailand and other officials concerned.
The agreements were separately inked by the minister of foreign trade, the acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the DPRK ambassador to Thailand authorized by the DPRK government and the foreign minister of Thailand and the director general of the Thai News Agency authorized by the Thai government.