Greetings to Zimbabwean President
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on April 12 sent a message of greetings to Robert G. Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe, on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
The message wished the president and the people of Zimbabwe greater success in their work to defend the sovereignty of the country and achieve prosperity and expressed belief that the good friendly relations existing between the two countries would continue to grow stronger.
Reminiscences of Kim Il Sung published abroad
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Vol. 4 of the anti-Japanese revolution of President Kim Il Sung's reminiscences "With the Century" was published by the narodna tribuna publishing house in bulgaria on april 13.
A preface of the book says:
"We publish this book on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of the great leader of the Korean people President Kim Il Sung, the prominent activist of the international communist movement and the labor movement and the founder of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."
A book releasing ceremony was held in Sofia that day.
Vol. 5 of the anti-Japanese revolution of the reminiscences was brought out by the All India Indo-Korean Friendship Association on April 12.
The association in a preface of the book says that Kim Il Sung, possessed of all the qualities and qualifications as a great man, was the greatest man whom the Korean people and the world people revere.
Kim Yong Nam meets foreign guests
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with the visiting representatives of organizations for friendship and solidarity with the Korean people and international organizations at the Mansudae Assembly Hall yesterday.
Present there were Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is chairman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with the World People, and other officials concerned.
On the occasion V. Chikin, chairman of the Belarus-DPRK National Friend Association named after Kim Il Sung, said that President Kim Il Sung, the most prominent great man of the 20th century, is always alive in the hearts of not only the Korean people but the world people.
He expressed the firm belief that the Korean people would build a powerful socialist nation and reunify the country under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.
On behalf of the representatives of the friendship and solidarity organizations and international organizations, he earnestly asked the Korean people to hold Kim Jong Il, the great sun of the 21st century, in higher esteem for the future of the country and the realization of the cause of global independence.
Agreement on friendship and cooperation between WPK and PDPN signed
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- An agreement on friendship and cooperation between the Workers' Party of Korea and the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria was signed in Pyongyang yesterday.
Present at the signing ceremony on the WPK side were Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, and officials concerned and on the opposite side were the members of the delegation of the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria led by Muhammed Inuwa Rabaran, national organizational secretary of the party.
The agreement was inked by Choe Thae Bok and Muhammed Inuwa Rabaran.
Talks held between delegations of WPK and PDPN
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Talks between the delegations of the Workers' Party of Korea and the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria were held in Pyongyang yesterday.
Present at the talks on the WPK side were Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, and officials concerned and on the opposite side were the members of the delegation of the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria led by Muhammed Inuwa Rabaran, national organizational secretary of the party.
The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
U.S. urged to drop policy of Cold War
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today in a signed commentary assails the U.S. imperialists for clinging to the policy of strength, the policy of Cold War, obstructive to the peace and reunification of Korea.
The commentary cites facts to prove that it is none other than the U.S. imperialists who are barring peace, the inter-Korean dialogue and the process of reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula.
The inter-Korean relations may deteriorate again and independent reunification of the nation may be delayed, accordingly, unless that policy of the U.S. imperialists is frustrated.
That is why the DPRK government and people are putting up a dynamic struggle to foil the U.S. policy of Cold War against the peace and reunification of Korea and its policy to stifle the DPRK. The Koreans from all walks of life in South Korea and overseas are waging a courageous mass struggle for the withdrawal of the U.S. forces, the cancer-like existence obstructive to the peace and reunification of Korea, from South Korea and the dismantling of their military bases there.
This struggle of the Korean nation for its independent reunification against the U.S. policy of cold war is commanding support from the international community.
There is neither pretext nor ground for the u.s. imperialists to persistently pursue their anachronistic policy of strength now that the north and south of Korea are heading for reconciliation and cooperation after resuming the dialogue and this process is being supported by broad strata of peoples.
The United States should give up its policy censured by the Korean nation and the world peace-loving people and stop doing anything obstructive to the peace and reunification of Korea.
Dynamic march for fresh victory called for
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries an editorial titled "forward for fresh victory, proud of having commemorated with splendor the 90th birth anniversary of the great leader Kim Il Sung."
Saying that the Korean people commemorated with splendour his 90th birth anniversary with high political enthusiasm and shining labor achievements, fully aware of strong sense of moral obligation toward him, the editorial continues:
There took place grand political functions praising President Kim Il Sung's outstanding personality as a great man and his immortal revolutionary exploits amidst an unprecedentedly high political atmosphere on the occasion of the day of the sun. The defences of the socialist country have been consolidated to be an impregnable fortress, fresh boost has been effected in production in different domains of the national economy and large-scale nature-harnessing projects have been carried out for the eternal prosperity of Kim Il Sung's Korea.
Party leaders, heads of state and personages of different social strata of different countries sent messages, congratulatory letters and gifts to leader Kim Jong Il and commemorations took place in many countries and regions on the occasion of the day of the sun. And the 20th April Spring Friendship Art Festival is going on with splendor in Pyongyang.
Through the commemorations the Korean people have more keenly felt the great national pride and dignity of having the great sun of Juche.
The DPRK is sure to emerge victorious as there are a strong foundation laid by the president, the outstanding and tested army-based leadership of Kim Jong Il and the people single-heatedly united close around him.
The editorial appeals to the Koreans to step up the general onward march to glorify significant this year as a year of fresh upswing in the building of a powerful nation with the high national pride of being the sun's nation, Kim Il Sung's nation.
Experience of cultivation of Kimilsungia swapped
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- A meeting for swapping the experience in cultivating Kimilsungia took place yesterday at a time when the 4th kimilsungia show is going on before full house.
Present there were officials concerned, researchers, floriculturists and cultivators of the flower of the sun from the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, commissions and ministries of the cabinet, national institutions, provinces and other units.
The swappers introduced the experience gained in cultivating Kimilsungia and using flower pots and data giving scientific and technological answers to the important matters in cultivating Kimilsungia including the method of nutrition management and the method of cultivation by stimulator.
Rally of "day of all-people action" held in S. Korea
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The reunification solidarity for the implementation of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration and the peace on the Korean Peninsula reportedly held the 6th rally of the "day of all-people action" in Seoul on April 15.
Kim Kyu Chol, permanent representative of the solidarity, in an address said that the June 15 joint declaration clarified the truth to the people who have been deceived till now. He referred to the change of conscience of the South Korean people after the publication of the joint declaration.
Ri Chon Jae, permanent chairman of the "Seoul Federation," in a political speech titled "We are opposed to the U.S. threatening the June 15 joint declaration" said that a true peace on the Korean Peninsula cannot be achieved now as long as the south and the north remain divided. In order to conduct free exchange and cooperation between the south and the north it is imperative to settle more fundamental issues including the withdrawal of the U.S. forces from South Korea and the conclusion of a peace agreement, he added.
DPRK-Japan Red Cross talks to be resumed
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- A report on the resumption of the DPRK-Japan Red Cross talks has been released here today.
The report says:
The talks between the red cross societies of the DPRK and Japan will take place in Beijing from April 29 to 30.
The talks will discuss a series of humanitarian issues including investigation into those missing and the home-visit of Japanese women in the DPRK.
Plaza of Kumsusan Memorial Palace
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The plaza of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace is up to world standard in terms of scale, style and quality.
It covers nearly 100,000 square meters.
It is paved with hundreds of thousands of pieces of granite of different colors and size. It is perfectly horizontal.
Entering the plaza one can see a portrait of President Kim Il Sung hanging on the frontal wall of the palace with his face beaming with a sunny smile.
Seen on both sides of the plaza are slogans "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung Will Always Be With Us" and "let us arm ourselves more firmly with the revolutionary ideas of the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung." Their granite pedestals have magnolia relievos.
There is a tribune of honor before the front wall of the palace and reviewing stands on its both sides.
There stand several large chandeliers of scores of meters in height on the front and back sides of the plaza.
The plaza was built on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of demise of Kim Il Sung. various functions take place on national holidays and anniversaries.
Citizens of the capital city visit the palace to express their longing for the president and pay profound tribute to him.
Second-day performances of art festival given
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The second-day performances of the 20th April Spring Friendship Art Festival were given at several theatres before full houses in Pyongyang yesterday.
The performers put on stages programs reflecting the faith and will of progressive humankind to hold President Kim Il Sung in high esteem as the eternal sun of Juche and the benevolent father of all people for all ages.
They sang hymns echoing all people's voices praising leader Kim Jong Il as the bright sun of the 21st century.
Also put on stages were Koreans' favorite songs, world famous music and colorful dance pieces.
Meanwhile, acrobats displayed their peculiar and refined skill through cheerful and lively performances.
Working people in the city, school youth and children, diplomatic envoys and embassy officials of different countries, foreign guests and overseas Koreans enjoyed the performances.
Meeting for solidarity with Korean people held
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- A meeting for solidarity with the Korean people was held in Pyongyang on April 17.
The meeting was attended by representatives of organizations for friendship and solidarity with the Korean people and international organizations staying in the DPRK.
Vice-president Yang Hyong Sop of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, officials concerned and working people in the city were present at the meeting.
Guy Dupre, secretary general of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea, made a report.
The reporter said that President Kim Il Sung set forth the three principles of Korea's reunification, the proposal for founding the federal republic and the 10-point programme of the great national unity, adding that the proposals formulated by leader Kim Jong Il as three charters of national reunification serve as a supreme programme for national reunification.
The reporter noted that thanks to his outstanding idea of national reunification and patriotic devotion, the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration was adopted and it was supported and welcomed not only by the Koreans in the north, the south and overseas but the international community to open a bright prospect of national reunification.
We will stand firm by the Korean people and conduct a more courageous struggle for the reunification and peace of the Korean peninsula and a new, just and peaceful world, he stressed.
The floor was taken by K. P. Sharma Oli, chairman of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization of Nepal, Sergio Corrieri Hernandez, president of the Cuban institute of friendship with the peoples, and others.
Then, a speech was made by Mun Jae Chol, chairman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with the World People.
A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
A joint statement in the name of representatives of the friendship and solidarity organizations and international organizations was adopted at the meeting to support the peace and reunification of Korea against the U.S. policy of war.
The statement said:
We will undertake a positive movement to frustrate the bush administration's policy to stifle the DPRK and its anti-reunification moves and seek the withdrawal of the u.s. forces from South Korea in order to ensure durable peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the rest of the world.
We will fully support the Korean nation in its struggle to reunify the country by its own efforts in the basic spirit of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and dynamically struggle against the separatists that challenge these efforts.
We will expose and condemn the crimes committed by the united states and Japan in Korea and strongly urge the bush administration to respond to the DPRK-U.S. dialogue from a sincere stand.
At the end of the solidarity meeting representatives of the friendship and solidarity organizations and international organizations signed a signature paper supporting the three charters of Korea's reunification and the June 15 joint declaration and demanding the pullback of the U.S. forces from South Korea.
Anniversary of Pyongyang declaration marked
Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- A meeting of Pyongyangites was held at the People's Palace of Culture today to mark the 10th anniversary of publication of the Pyongyang declaration "let us defend and advance the cause of socialism".
Present there were officials of the party and power organs, in the fields of science, education and foreign affairs and working people in the city.
Also present there were delegations and delegates of foreign political parties on a visit to the DPRK on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
Choe Thae Bok, alternate member of the political bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, made a report there.
The publication of the Pyongyang declaration 10 years ago marked a historic event which proclaimed a start of a new world socialist movement under the banner of independence and provided a common programme of struggle to the world's revolutionary political parties and people aspiring after socialism, he said, and went on:
The declaration fully reflects the justice and invincibility of the socialist cause, the noble aim of the struggle for socialism and fundamental ways of achieving it and the common programme of the struggle to revive the socialist movement on a new basis.
The world's revolutionary political parties and people standing for socialism have regarded the Pyongyang declaration as their charter and a programme of struggle for socialism. This is clearly proved by the fact that it has been inked by some 260 political parties as of today.
The workers' party and people of Korea have faithfully fulfilled their national and international commitments to realize the noble idea of the declaration under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.
The report was followed by speeches of Hannu, Harju, chairman of the central council of the for peace and Socialism-Communist Workers' Party of Finland, Jose Reinaldo Carvalho, vice-chairman of the central committee of the Brazilian Communist Party, and K.P. Sharma Oli, member of the political bureau of the central committee of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist).
Noting that the justice and advantages of the cause of socialism have been proved by the reality of Korea, they stressed that Kim Jong Il's army-based policy serves as an all-powerful sword and an ever-victorious banner firmly defending socialism and leading it to victory.
The declaration has become a banner of victory as it has united political parties representing revolutionary forces even under the grave situation and encouraged them in the struggle to rebuild socialism worldwide, they noted.