Kim Jong Il inspects KPA unit no. 639
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected unit no. 639 of the KPA yesterday.
He looked round the monument to President Kim Il Sung's on-the-spot instructions, guided by the commander of the unit.
He recalled with deep emotion that the unit could be trained into an one-match-for-a hundred combat contingent under the president's wise leadership and warm care.
After learning about the performance of its duty, he looked round entertainment and logistic facilities. He repeatedly praised commanding officers of the unit for providing ample conditions for the diet of its servicemen by paying deep attention to the supply service.
Then he went round the Unjong Health Complex built by the unit itself.
While he was inspecting welfare service and catering facilities, no details escaped him, ranging from the quantity and quality of bread and noodle to the temperature of the bath.
He was greatly satisfied to learn that the unit has built an excellent service complex for the soldiers by fully displaying the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance.
Noting that the unit has done really good for the soldiers, he said this is a proud and beautiful trait which can be displayed only by the Korean People's Army that has carried forward the brilliant traditions of the anti-Japanese guerrilla army whose commanding officers looked after its soldiers with loving care as they would do their real brothers and sisters and which always emerged victorious thanks to the noble sense of comradely obligation.
He highly praised its success, urging the whole army to earnestly follow the example set by them.
He enjoyed a performance given by an art squad of the unit.
Greatly satisfied with the performance with a high ideological and artistic value, he highly appreciated their success made in the presentation.
He had a photograph taken with servicepersons of the unit.
He was accompanied by Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the KPA.
Venezuelan President on relations with DPRK
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- Hugo Chavez Frias, President of the Bolivar Republic of Venezuela, expressed satisfaction with the favorably developing Venezuela-DPRK relations and his will to further develop them in political, economic, cultural and all other fields in the future.
This stand was clarified on march 7 when he received credentials from Pak Tong Chun, new DPRK ambassador to his country.
Venezuela would cooperate with the DPRK for Korea's reunification at any time, he stressed.
Stone presented by Thai figure
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- Krasae Chanawongse, minister to the prime minister's office for youth affairs, presented a stone to the monument to the three charters for national reunification.
He expressed full sympathy with the proposal for Korea's reunification put forward by President Kim Il Sung, the most just and reasonable proposal, when he visited the DPRK in October last year.
So, he presented the stone as an expression of his positive support and solidarity with the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea, after returning home.
Carved on the stone are letters "Long live the three charters for national reunification".
U.S. new plan for nuclear attack under fire
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK Wednesday issued a statement denouncing the U.S. for its new plan for nuclear attack.
He said:
According to the recent U.S. press reports, the Bush administration singled out at least seven nations: Russia, China, the DPRK, Syria, Libya, Iran and Iraq as the targets of its nuclear attack and decided to develop smaller tactical nuclear weapons for "limited nuclear attack."
The U.S. is said to have worked up the plan in a bid to attack underground targets that cannot be destroyed with conventional weapons and carry out retaliatory attacks against biological or chemical weapons and cope with surprising military developments.
The Bush administration has stunned the world with its wild ambition and reckless attempt to dominate the world since its emergence. If this plan turns out to be true, this will indicate that it has backpedalled its commitment to the nonuse of nukes, which was honored by its preceding administrations, as a pair of old shoes.
As already known, at the 1978 UN special session on disarmament at which nuclear weapons states committed themselves not to use nukes against nonnuclear states, the U.S. issued a policy statement that "It would not use nuclear weapons against nonnuclear states unless they were allied with nuclear powers to assault the U.S. and its allies".
This has been a fundamental basis on which all international agreements on nuclear disarmament including the nonproliferation treaty have been implemented and preserved.
In case of the DPRK, in particular, the U.S. gave specific assurances in the 1993 DPRK-U.S. joint statement and the 1994 DPRK-U.S. agreed framework that "it would not use nuclear weapons against and threaten the DPRK with them."
Based on these assurances, the DPRK has sincerely fulfilled over the last eight years its commitments under the agreed framework aimed at the improved DPRK-U.S. relations, its keynote being the U.S. provision of lwrs to the DPRK in return for the freeze of its nuclear facilities.
But the Bush administration's recently disclosed plan for nuclear attack indicates that it is seeking to dominate the world only by force of arms in violation of any international agreement and keen to mount nuclear attacks on any country it considers as a hindrance to it, even overturning bilateral agreements.
It is quite natural that the world is greatly shocked and concerned about the fact that the Bush-ruled U.S. is lording it over as a rogue nuclear state with which the peace-loving people cannot co-exist.
The Bush group's plan for a nuclear attack is a daydream of the reckless persons who do not hesitate to stifle the DPRK even by using nuclear weapons and, to this end, eliminate the whole Korean nation from the earth by inflicting a nuclear disaster upon it.
Now that nuclear lunatics are in office in the white house, we are compelled to examine all the agreements with the U.S.
In case the U.S. plan for a nuclear attack on the DPRK turns out to be true, the DPRK will have no option but to take a substantial countermeasure against it, not bound to any DPRK-U.S. agreement.
Israel's reckless terrorist attack under fire
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary denounces Israel for committing indiscriminate attack and mass killings in various Palestinian refugee camps on the west bank.
This brutal attack defying all the international laws and the international usages to be observed in the wartime proves that Israel is the sponsor of terrorism and a cancer-like entity disturbing mideast peace, it says, and goes on:
On March 10, Israel attacked and destroyed even the headquarters of Arafat in Gaza city.
This is dastardly pressure put upon the Palestinian leadership in a bid to completely dampen the desire of the Palestinian people to found an independent state and brutal terrorism against it.
Israel is well advised to stop its brutal terrorist attack and mass killings of Palestinians and stop at once its moves to derail the mideast peace process.
Anti-U.S. rally held in S. Korea
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- After the recent disclosure of the Bush administration's plan to use nuclear weapons by U.S. media, the people's action for the revision of the South Korea-U.S. "status of forces agreement," the headquarters of the movement for the return of the U.S. military base in Ryongsan, the joint measure committee for taking back U.S. military bases, our land, and the all-people measure committee for the closure of the U.S. bombing ground in Maehyangri in South Korea reportedly held the 30th anti-U.S. solidarity rally in front of the U.S. embassy in Seoul on March 12.
The participants in the rally bitterly condemned the U.S. for seeking to ignite a nuclear war.
The rally heard the reading out of a resolution containing the slogan "U.S. should immediately withdraw report on examination of plan for nuclear war and we are resolutely opposed to plan for joint land management aimed to set up new U.S. military bases and expand the existing ones."
The resolution vehemently condemned the U.S. for planning a nuclear war that will lead humankind to destruction, on behalf of the peace-loving mankind.
Clarifying that there is no justification for the U.S. to mount a nuclear attack on the north, it called upon the entire nation to pool its efforts and struggle against such plan for preemptive nuclear attack aimed to exterminate the nation.
The resolution declared that they would put up a stubborn struggle on the basis of the anti-U.S. sentiment of the people from all walks of life in South Korea that was displayed during the anti-Bush campaign unless the people's demand for a halt to setting up new U.S. forces bases and expanding the existing ones is met.
U.S. nuclear war plan under fire in S. Korea
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- The "National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification" in South Korea reportedly issued a statement titled "U.S., withdraw its imprudent nuclear war plan" on March 11.
The statement said that the U.S. department of defense in a confidential report to the congress early this year singled out seven countries including the northern half of Korea as those states posing threat to the U.S. and planned to use nuclear weapons against them, underscoring the need to develop smaller nuclear weapons, work out a research plan and resume nuclear tests.
As long as the U.S. exists, there can be no peace, the statement said, urging the U.S. to withdraw all its policies of massacre and stop all its war plans.
Introduction of U.S.-made fighters rejected in S. Korea
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- Several South Korean organizations including the Democratic Workers' Party, the council for national reconciliation and independent reunification, the social party and the solidarity for implementing the south-north joint declaration reportedly held a rally in front of the "defense ministry" on March 8 to denounce the military authorities for planning to introduce U.S.-made fighters.
A resolution adopted at the rally denounced the military authorities for pushing ahead with the introduction of U.S.-made fighters on the basis of priority given to the South Korea-U.S. joint operation and capability for joint operation of the weapon system only to increase South Korea's military dependence on the U.S. and fan up the south-north military confrontation and Bush regime's hostile policy towards the north.
Exhibition of historical paintings
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- The first exhibition of historical paintings is now open in the DPRK.
Put on display at the Korean Central History Museum are more than 280 Korean paintings which show the long history and culture of the Korean nation ranging from the primitive age to the Ri dynasty.
In the part of the primitive age, paintings "ancient banks of the River Taedong", "making stone implements", "earthenware making" and "rice farming in the area of Pyongyang" vividly show that human beings originated in the area of Pyongyang and primitive history and culture were developed by them.
In the part of ancient Korea, "picture of Tangun, ancestral father of nation, "proclamation of foundation of ancient Korea", "scenic spots with the legend of Tangun", "building a dolmen tomb" and "making a Pipha-shaped dagger" show the history and culture of Pyongyang.
The mightness, bravery and superiority of the Korean nation can be seen by "how about your going back for your great feats" and "Hapsu Battle" in the part of the Koguryo dynasty and by "Matan Nattle" and "making the first metallic type in the world" in the part of the Koryo dynasty.
In the part of the Ri dynasty "killing of queen min" and "wail of history" show the grief of the nation deprived of the country.
Also put on show are "the most beautiful place in the world", an old calligraphic work at the Ryongwang pavilion in Pyongyang and other works of distinguished calligraphers.
The attention of visitors is focused on pictures of Tangun, Tongmyong, Wanggon and other founder kings, over 50 famous patriotic generals and men of great reputation, landscape paintings, paintings of flowers and birds and pictures of still life.
Jangsong pine tree belt
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- The Jangsong pine tree belt is situated in Cholsan county, North Phyongan Province, the northwestern part of the DPRK.
The forest is registered as state scenic spot no. 2 the belt, about 100 meters in width, extends nearly 4 km along the coast.
It protects people and agricultural crops in the area from strong sea wind and waves and tidal wave and provides a beautiful resort.
Over ten species of such rare birds as herring gulls, heron and blackfaced spoonbills fly into the "Cholsan shellfish sanctuary" in the coastal waters listed as natural monument no. 67 by the state and other habitats, adding to the scenic beauty of the area.
The pine trees there are of academic significance as the colour of their bark is unusually red, they have long needles and grow in the soil of relatively high salinity.
Anecdotes about Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- There are many stories about leader Kim Jong Il's extraordinary insight, clear-cut analysis and good judgement. The following is only part of the anecdotes about what happened during his historic visit to china early in June Juche 72 (1983).
Scrutinizing every process at the Meilin canned food factory in Shanghai city, Kim Jong Il asked an official of the factory how food is sterilized at the factory, an important process at foodstuff factories.
An interpreter translated what the official answered as saying that the sterilization took 8 minutes at the temperature of 120 degrees centigrade.
With a look of eager inquiry, he asked him again if the process did not require a temperature of 4 or 5 degrees higher.
The interpreter, much embarrassed, could not but ask the official again.
Listening to the answer of the official the interpreter with a blush said that he misinterpreted, adding that the sterilizing temperature was 124 degrees centigrade.
Kim Jong Il nodded at last.
It happened when he was inspecting the Qingdao Beer Brewery.
Looking at the streamlined canned beer production processes with attention, he suddenly asked the manager what kind of antiseptic was sprayed on the back side of cans and if the taste of beer does not change.
Surprised at the unexpected question, the manager explained the antiseptic, adding that the taste does not change.
When Kim Jong Il repeatedly asked him if the taste does not change even a bit, the manager said that, in fact, the taste changes a bit and the brewery was striving to solve the problem.
Then Kim Jong Il moved on with an unassuming look.
Seminar on Korea's independent reunification held in France
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- A seminar on the independent reunification of Korea was held in Paris on March 9 under the sponsorship of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea (CILRECO) on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.
Present at the seminar were honorary chairmen and officials of the CILRECO, political and public figures from different countries and regions including Turkey, Sweden, Britain, France, the United States, Switzerland, Belgium and Norway and representatives of international organizations.
A reporter and speakers at the seminar said that the tragedy of 50-odd-year long division imposed upon the Korean people, who had lived as one nation for 5,000 years, is a product of the U.S. Korea strategy intended to stamp out the homogeneity of the Korean nation and dominate the Korean peninsula.
They urged the U.S. administration to withdraw its forces from South Korea, as demanded by the peace-loving people of the world, so as to create an atmosphere for the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.
They expressed belief that the Korean people's cause of reunification will certainly be accomplished under the banner of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, true to the guidance of leader Kim Jong Il.
A Paris declaration on the independent reunification of Korea was adopted at the seminar.
Recognizing that the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration serves as a landmark for Korea's reunification, it reaffirmed that the declaration still remains a key to reunifying Korea in an independent and peaceful way.
It demanded the U.S. and its allies directly responsible for the reunification and peace of Korea pull its forces out of South Korea at once and stop the provocative moves and arms buildup for another war and thus contribute to implementing the joint declaration.
Firmly resolving to conduct by all means and methods solidarity activities for the cause of the independent reunification of Korea directly linked with global peace and security, we hope that the peace-loving people and progressive forces of the world would take an active part in the international signature campaign supporting the inter-Korean joint declaration and urging the immediate withdrawal of the U.S. forces from South Korea, the campaign which is going on at the initiative of the CILRECO.
Kim Yong Nam receives credentials from Turkish ambassador
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- President Kim Yong Nam of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly received credentials from new Turkish ambassador to the DPRK Rafet Ahgunay at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Vice-minister of foreign affairs Kung Sok Ung was on hand.
Kim Yong Nam had a talk with the ambassador.
Ri Tu Ik passes away
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- Vice marshal of the Korean People's Army Ri Tu Ik, member of the central committee and member of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, died of myocardial infraction at the age of 80 years at 1 P.M. on March 13, Juche 91 (2002).
The WPK central committee and central military commission published an obituary of Ri Tu Ik death on March 13.
According to the obituary, Ri Tu Ik participated in the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle organized and led by President Kim Il Sung.
After the liberation of the country he devoted himself to strengthening the revolutionary armed forces and defending the revolutionary cause of Juche and contributed to ensuring the victory in the fatherland liberation war.
And he devoted himself to strengthening the Korean People's Army and defending the gains of the revolution, at the important post of the KPA for a long time after the war true to the Juche-oriented military line.
Tongdaewon Garment Factory
Pyongyang, March 14 (KCNA) -- The Tongdaewon Garment Factory with a total floor space of over 12,000 square meters is situated in East Pyongyang.
It has a processing shop, ready-made dress shop, cutting shop, finishing workteam, embroidery workteam, room for technical preparation and several other workshops and tens of workteams.
It turns out a variety of products including good quality ready-made suits, padded clothes, well-designed jumper and sportswear.
It is capable of producing 20,000 ready-made suits and 300,000 padded clothes and jumpers every year.
The factory conducts processing trade with many countries and regions including Russia, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, France and Britain.
Its products are very popular on foreign markets.