Meeting of youth and students held in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- A meeting of youth and students in Pyongyang was held at the Central Youth Hall on Monday to celebrate the 9th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's election as Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
Present there were secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jung Rin and officials concerned.
Kim Kyong Ho, first secretary of the central committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, made a report at the meeting which was followed by speeches.
The reporter and speakers referred to the undying feats Kim Jong Il performed on behalf of the country and the people, saying his election as Chairman of the NDC was a historic event that provided a sure guarantee for the victorious advance of the revolutionary cause of Juche and eternal prosperity of the nation of the sun.
They called upon all the young people to firmly prepare themselves as revolutionaries of Juche type and vanguard fighters of the working class, cherishing in their mind the great honor and pride of having Kim Jong Il at the head of the WPK, the state and the army.
Computer art contest opens
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- A computer art contest was opened as part of the Pyongyang fine art festival to commemorate the 90th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
The contest is to be held divided into two parts: the exhibition of computer fine arts and the creation of fine arts by computer.
On display at the exhibition are computer posters depicting images of Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il and computer designs.
Among the exhibits are also various forms of computer art designs showing the level of computer creation of fine art works, computer gem pictures, and designs of monumental edifices by computer.
Meanwhile, in the art creation contest those participants will show the spectators animation art scenes and their course of creation through projector and computer display.
An opening ceremony of the contest took place at the Grand People's Study House on Monday.
Commemorative stamps released
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The Korea Stamp Corporation has produced four species of sheetlet and a stamp to commemorate the 90th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
The sheetlets include "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung Who Is Immortal As The Sun Of Juche", "In Alien Land In Spring", "The Leader And His Men" and "The Leader And His Man".
Depicted in the stamp are the president's native home in Mangyongdae, a cradle of revolution, and immortal Kimilsungia. Their depiction reflects the faith and will of the Korean people to hold Kim Il Sung in high esteem as the eternal sun of Juche for all ages.
The corporation also produced two types of commemorative envelopes.
IIJI board meeting to be held in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The 9th meeting of the executive committee of the board of the International Institute of the Juche Idea (IIJI) will be held here in mid-April when the 90th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung, who performed undying feats for the cause of global independence by founding the great Juche idea immortal in the history of human thought, is significantly commemorated.
The meeting will review last year's achievements and experience made in the study and dissemination of the Juche idea. It is also expected to discuss matters of intensifying the study and dissemination of the Juche idea in keeping with the requirements of the new century, holding a world conference on the Juche idea, and accelerating the cause of global independence started by the president and adopt relevant decisions.
Participated in the meeting will be members of the IIJI executive committee and delegates of Juche idea study organizations from 20 odd countries.
"Arirang" performance praised
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Members of groups to study the "Arirang" performance from various countries and a foreign delegation spoke highly of the mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang", after seeing some scenes of it.
Sergey Khromykh, director of the Russian welcome company who is heading the second Russian group to study "Arirang", said that it was the first time for him to see such grandiose and marvelous performance in his life.
He went on to say:
Drawing our keen interest were the content and style of the performance, a variety of equipment, beautiful costumes and stage property used. Many people will be pleased to see this wonderful performance.
Natalya Kononova, section chief of the company, said: the "Arirang" performance is the world's chef-d'-oeurvre as it is the largest in scale.
I have visited many countries as a tourist official, but I never have seen such a fascinating performance.
Russians should visit the DPRK to not miss it.
Lyudmila Dyrdina, first deputy director of the far eastern air agency of Russia, said that she was very amazed to see various background scenes changing in a moment and Russians would understand the DPRK very well when they see the performance.
Roger Barrett, managing director of the foreign business development association of the U.K., noted:
The "Arirang" performance is the best art work which shows the Korean people's high level of cultural and art development.
Especially its background scenes are very splendid.
Watching the background scenes, one may feel that everything depicted moves like living things.
It was not without reason that the former U.S. Secretary of State wondered if computers were not used to present background scenes after watching them.
"Arirang" is a clear proof of the Koreans' strong national identity and high artistic skill.
Kim Ryon Ja gives 2nd-day performance
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Ryon Ja, a South Korean singer in Japan, gave a second-day performance at the Ponghwa Art Theatre on Monday. She is staying here to attend the 20th April Spring Friendship Art Festival.
In the performance started with song "Glad to See You", she sang songs strong in national sentiment.
Its numbers included songs "Woman represents flower" and "River Rimjin", songs dating back to the period of enlightenment, and Kim's favorite songs.
A basket of flowers was presented to the singer in congratulation of her successful performance.
Appreciating the performance were minister of culture Kang Nung Su, officials concerned and artistes and working people in the city.
Foreign diplomatic envoys visit various places
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Foreign diplomatic envoys here visited the historic site associated with the Fatherland Liberation War on April 8 on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung and the 9th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's election as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK.
This is the historic place where the supreme headquarters of the Korean People's Army was located. Staying there from January Juche 40 (1951) to July Juche 42 (1953), the president led the servicemen of the Korean People's Army and people to the victory of war.
They looked round various places including the commanding post of the supreme headquarters and the operation room used by the president.
On the same day they visited the Metro Construction Museum.
They looked round relics and materials on display, being briefed on the Pyongyang metro, a great monumental edifice in the era.
They made an entry in the visitor's book.
Nation's pride
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Today marks the 9th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's election as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK.
All the officers and men of the Korean People's Army and people keenly felt the national pride and honor of having him as the supreme leader of the revolution in the difficult days of the "Arduous March" and the forced march.
He has led the Workers' Party, the army and the people of Korea for decades to firmly defend and steadily advance the cause of socialism.
In particular, He has led a war minus gunreports against the imperialists to a victory with steel-strong will, matchless courage and rare strategy to save the fates of the country and the nation over the last nine years.
He put forward the army-based policy as the main mode of the state politics in the most difficult period and set a brilliant example.
He went to many posts of KPA units on mts. Osong and Taedok and in other frontline areas to train the KPA into an army strong in idea, faith and will and build it into an invincible army with powerful offensive and defensive means.
He put forward the KPA as the driving force for the building of a powerful nation and led it to make a breakthrough in socialist construction.
The Anbyon Youth Power Station, Mt. Kuwol recreation ground, the Chongryu Bridge, modern poultry farms and fish-breeding farms were all built by the KPA in those difficult days.
The revolutionary spirit of soldiers displayed by the KPA in the process served as a source of a new surge in all domains of socialist construction throughout the country.
Indeed, the army-based policy has proved to be an all-powerful treasured sword in the Korean revolution.
For this, the Korean revolution is making a long drive.
Exhibition of works on Juche idea
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- An increasing number of people are visiting the exhibition of works on the Juche idea with the approach of the Day of the Sun (April 15).
Nowadays the number reached thousands a day.
In recent years, nearly 500,000 people from all walks of life including foreigners and overseas compatriots visited there.
The exhibition, opened to the public in December Juche 87 (1998), has a total floor space of more than 10,000 square meters.
It consists of three parts.
Displayed in chronological order in the first part are most of over 3,300 famous works President Kim Il Sung authored for nearly 70 years together with his photos and manuscripts written by him and other data.
On display in the second part are some of the works leader Kim Jong Il authored from September 1960.
Exhibited in the third part are his works published in over 60 different languages in nearly 110 countries according to continents and countries.
Displayed in the exhibition hall on the first floor are historical photographs, fine art works listed as national treasures, revolutionary historic mementoes, works and books published at home and abroad, which deal with the revolutionary life and activities of Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese war woman hero.
Anecdotes about Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- Toward the end of July Juche 47 (1958) President Kim Il Sung planned field guidance to many establishments in Jagang Province. He instructed an official to draw up a detailed itinerary.
In the hope of lessening the president's burden he worked out a 20-day-schedule by omitting some units.
After carefully examining it, the president reproached him for making a plan taking so many days. He worked out a new plan himself.
Giving the official a 7-day-schedule including all the establishments he had planned, the president told him that the time allotted to him is a precious one to be spent for the people and it was, therefore, necessary to spare every minute and second.
In July Juche 54 (1965) the president was supposed to stay in Changsong county for some time.
Officials prepared an angling rod and a mountaineering hat prompted by their wish to let the president have even a moment's rest in a scenic spot.
But, soon after his arrival there senior officials of the locality came to see him. Leaving Pyongyang, the president called them to the place.
The president talked with them for hours and then provided field guidance to several units.
Officials asked the president to have even a short rest by a lake as he was so busy with work, without having any time to relax.
But he promised the officials that he would go to the lake on the day of his departure from the county.
Several days passed but he could not keep the promise even on that day.
Protection of aquatic resources brisk in DPRK
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- April and July are the months of protecting the aquatic resources in the DPRK.
On the months the state is conducting a variety of work to protect and propagate the aquatic resources under a plan.
Big efforts are being exerted to improve habitats for marine resources.
Such marine life as sea cucumber, abalone, sea urchin, etc. which are under special protection is bred in spawning ponds and breeding grounds to propagate their resources.
Efforts are being also made to provide natural feed including water plants and make necessary facilities in rivers and streams, lakes and fish-breeding farms across the country.
The aquatic resources of the country are on increase in recent years.
What merits attention is that shellfish resources increased 10 times while clam resources believed to be extinct are reviving.
Aquatic resources are increasing in rivers and streams including the River Taedong, the River Chongchon, the River Tyesong and the River Jangja.
U.S. arms buildup in S. Korea under fire
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- The United States is contemplating about the sale of scores of nuclear capable "F-15K" fighters to South Korea.
Papers here today carry signed commentaries in this regard.
Laying bare the criminal aim sought by the U.S. in stepping up arms buildup in South Korea, Rodong Sinmun observes:
By delivering to South Korea "F-15K" fighters whose operation radius goes far beyond the boundary of the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. seeks to use South Korea as a military strategic vantage in establishing its domination over the Asia-Pacific region and its armed forces as a shock brigade in realising its Asia strategy.
The U.S. projected arms sale to South Korea glaringly reveals the brigandish nature of its administration which makes no scruple of sacrificing other nations to meet its own interests. The commander of the U.S.-South Korea combined forces and the deputy manager of the U.S. boeing company are known to have forced the South Korean military to buy "F-15K" fighters. U.S. senator Christopher bond from Missouri state where the plant producing "F-15K" is located blustered that South Korea would face a "miserable situation" if it refuses to buy fighters.
The U.S. is forcing South Korea to bear the cost of weapons of mass destruction to be deployed there beforehand in a bid to realize its Asia-Pacific strategy and pocketing a huge amount of money through arms sale. This is the height of impudence.
Minju Joson demands the U.S. face up to the situation, stop its madcap arms buildup and take a measure to withdraw the U.S. forces from South Korea.
Delegation of Koreans in Japan here
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) --Aa delegation of Koreans in Japan led by So Man Sul, chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, arrived here today on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
It was greeted at the airport by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme Pople's Assembly, Kim Yu Ho, director of the general bureau of reception for overseas compatriots, and other officials concerned.
Spring scenery of Moran Hill
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- A balmy spring day has come to Moran Hill which looks like a peony blossom. The hill is known as one of the scenic spots in Pyongyang.
Several ranges stretching out from the Choesung Pavilion standing on top of the hill are luxuriant with beautiful flowers that give off strong fragrance to hang on the hill and over the River Taedong.
Azalea, royal azalea and apricot flowers are in full bloom in such ancient sites as the Choesung Pavilion, the Ulmil Pavilion and the Pubyok Pavilion which boast a long history and culture.
From the Choesung Pavilion one can enjoy a bird's eye-view of the beautiful landscape of the River Taedong and Rungra Islet.