Celebrations of KPA anniversary held
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- An oratorical meeting of agricultural workers was held at the Central Youth Hall yesterday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army.
Speakers said it is the revolutionary will of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean people to carry to completion with arms the Korean revolution that started with arms at any cost. They referred to the spirit of attaching great importance to the army prevailing throughout the society under the guidance of the great brilliant commander and the people's desire and emotion in the era of the army-based leadership.
Present there were Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, and others.
A meeting of schoolchildren in Pyongyang with DPRK heroes was held in front of the monument to victory in the Fatherland Liberation War on the same occasion that day.
DPRK heroes called on the schoolchildren to devotedly safeguard leader Kim Jong Il just as the first and second generations of the revolution held President Kim Il Sung in high esteem with loyalty in the period of the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and the Korean war.
Students evinced their firm pledge to prepare themselves as a genuine juvenile guard and youth vanguard creditably defending socialism of Korean style with undisputed worship of Kim Jong Il.
Compensation for crimes related to "comfort women for army" called for
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Federation of Women's Organizations strongly demanded the Japanese government admit its legal responsibility for the crimes related to the "comfort women for the army", punish those responsible for them and compensate for them at the 58th meeting of the un commission on human rights on April 18, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.
Recalling that in a report titled "sexual slavery for the Japanese army" submitted to the un commission on human rights in 1998 the organization charged that the Japanese government had a legal responsibility for the crimes and an obligation for compensating for them, it accused the government of still refusing to bear the responsibility for the crimes.
It asked the UN commission on human rights to render cooperation in the efforts to make the Japanese government admit its legal responsibility for the crimes, punish those responsible for them and compensate for them.
Anti-U.S. action called for
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The south headquarters of the national alliance of youth and students for the country's reunification reportedly released an appeal on Friday on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the April 19 Popular Uprising.
The appeal said that the uprising which was a resistance of justice against injustice marked a great event that shook the U.S. colonial rule and gave momentum to the movement for independent reunification.
The June 15 joint declaration is a historic one which replaced the history of confrontation and division by one of unity and reunification and it, therefore, reflects the desire of the April 19 resistance fighters, it noted, adding that the youth and students in the north, south and overseas would set the period from April 19 to May 18 as a period of a movement for peace against the U.S. and war with a view to implementing the June 15 joint declaration and rise up in an anti-U.S. campaign, carrying forward the spirit of the resistance fighters.
It called on units at all levels and youth and students' organizations under the headquarters to wage various forms of practical struggle against the U.S. and undertake an anti-U.S. action across South Korea on May 18.
"Youth vanguard" artillery pieces presented
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Youth across the country provided 20 "youth vanguard" artillery pieces through a vigorous do-good-thing movement intended to contribute to strengthening the DPRK's revolutionary armed forces as invincible ones on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army.
A ceremony of presenting them to the people's army was held in Pyongyang yesterday.
A presentation paper was conveyed to an officer concerned of the people's army unit.
It was emphasized at the ceremony that the youth and the young soldiers should always maintain a strained and mobilized posture and wipe out the aggressors to the last one if they dare provoke a war of aggression against the DPRK.
Present there were Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, KPA general Ryo Chun Sok, officials of the youth league, youth and students in the city and servicemen of the people's army.
Aid materials presented by Chinese residents
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Officials of the central committee of the Association of Chinese Residents in Korea and Chinese in Pyongyang presented aid materials to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum on April 22 on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army.
The Chinese said that they would sincerely assist the KPA, learning from the traditional trait of unity between the army and the people now in full bloom in the DPRK, so as to contribute to the development of the China-DPRK friendship.
U.S. party delegation visits Pyongyang mission of NDFSK
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the Workers World Party of the U.S. visited the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) yesterday.
Chief of the mission Pak Kwang Gi and its members warmly received members of the delegation led by Deirdre Griswold, member of the secretariat of the national committee of the party, and had a talk with them in a friendly atmosphere.
The chief said that the U.S. should stop its reckless moves to stifle the DPRK and pull its forces out of South Korea and briefed the delegation on the activities of the NDFSK.
The head of the delegation said that the party sends full support and solidarity to the NDFSK and the South Korean people in their struggle to achieve Korea's reunification.
He expressed the conviction that the NDFSK would achieve greater success in its activities to make the South Korean society independent and democratic and realize the country's reunification.
Rodong Sinmun on revolutionary trait of assisting army
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK can fully demonstrate its dignity and might as the army of leader Kim Jong Il in the sacred struggle for the accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche only when the revolutionary trait of assisting the army prevails throughout the society and the blood ties between the army and the people are strengthened in every way, says Rodong Sinmun today in an editorial.
A strong army is unthinkable without support and encouragement from the people, the editorial says, and goes on:
People's support and encouragement are the source of the power of the Korean People's Army strong enough to meet the imperialists' challenge and defend socialism and glorify it and the army-people unity is a powerful weapon for building a powerful nation of Juche in this land.
To love and sincerely assist the army is a traditional trait which was created in the period of the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle led by President Kim Il Sung and has been steadfastly carried forward with the triumphant advance of the Korean revolution.
Recalling that this trait is given fuller play in the era of Kim Jong Il's army-based leadership, the editorial notes that it is the common trait displayed among the Korean people to devote their all, even their lives, to the army without hesitation.
It is extremely important to strengthen the blood ties between the army and the people under the present situation where dark clouds of war are gathering, the editorial says, calling upon all party members and other working people to give fuller play to the revolutionary trait of assisting the army.
Military attaches' corps visits KPA unit
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Military attaches' corps in Pyongyang visited the Choe Yong Su unit of the Korean People's Army yesterday on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the heroic KPA.
Military attaches looked round historic sites, being briefed on the fact that President Kim Il Sung and Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il visited the unit and set forth the slogan "a-match-for-a-hundred army" to train servicemen to be daring fighters.
At the end of the visit, military attache of the Chinese embassy Yan Jiangfeng, who is the doyen of the corps, wished the KPA, which has grown as an invincible army under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il, greater success in the defense of the country and socialist construction.
Anniversary of inter-Korean joint conference observed
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- A meeting was reportedly held in Seoul on April 20 to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the Joint Conference of Representatives of the Political Parties and Public Organizations in North and South Korea with members of the south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon), the Democratic Workers' Party, the reunification solidarity, the council for national reconciliation and independent reunification, the solidarity for implementing the south-north joint declaration, the council for national reunification and the headquarters of the people's movement for the withdrawal of the U.S. forces attending.
Sin Chang Gyun, honorary chairman of the south headquarters of Pomminryon, addressed the meeting retrospecting the joint conference. His address was followed by speeches by figures of various organizations.
A resolution "let us achieve national independence and great unity through implementation of June 15 joint declaration" was read out at the meeting.
The resolution recalled that the joint conference held in Pyongyang in April 1948 was a historic conference which earnestly called on all the pro-reunification forces in the south and the north to unite close in view of the grave situation created in the country where the national split was put in the danger of freeze by a "separate election" carried out by the U.S. and the Syngman Rhee forces to set up a "separate government" and come out to reject outside interference and struggle in unity in the interests of the nation irrespective of ideas political views, classes and strata.
It appealed to the 70 million Koreans to implement the June 15 joint declaration to the letter and achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country in unity transcending the differences of ideas, political views, classes and strata.
Paeksong Revolutionary Site
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The Paeksong Revolutionary Site is situated in Paeksong-ri, Phyongsong city, South Phyongan Province, mid-western part of Korea.
Kim Il Sung University was located here from March Juche 41 (1952) when the Fatherland Liberation War was at its height.
President Kim Il Sung visited here in April 1952 and spent two days with teachers and students of the university, acquainting himself with their study and living in detail and showing his parental loving care.
There are a statue of Kim Il Sung, a house where he conversed with teaching staff and students, a site of speech, a mess hall for students, a dormitory, etc at the revolutionary site.
And there is a monument inscribed with poem "song dedicated to the leader" which was recited before the president on his 40th birthday, representing the mind of the teachers and students.
A revolutionary museum has been built in Paeksong-ri to hand down his exploits.
An increasing number of people are now visiting the revolutionary site on the occasion of his 90th birth anniversary and the 50th anniversary of his visit.
Among them are overseas Koreans and foreigners.
Songs aspiring after reunification
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Song "we are one and the same" is now popular among the Korean people.
The song of strong appeal reflects a profound philosophy of reunification that the Korean nation with the same blood, language, culture and history cannot live divided into two any longer.
Many songs aspiring after reunification were created in Korea in nearly 60 years of its territorial division forced by the foreign forces.
Among them are "Korea is one", "train of reunification runs."
The songs are loudly sung at meetings for reunification in the North and South of Korea and overseas for their good ideological and artistic contents and representation.
"Glad to see you," "Tondollari for reunification," "rainbow for national reunification" and other songs carry compatriotic love and call a blessing upon a bright future of reunification.
Main agent of Korean revolution
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- the Korean People's Army is creditably discharging its mission as the main agent of the Korean revolution.
This is the results of the outstanding and tested guidance provided by Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il. He has trained the KPA as an army of the leader, the party and the people possessed of noble revolutionary trait and enormous combat capability.
He had provided field guidance to more than 800 frontline posts and army units till last year since the first day of Juche 84 (1995). He has clarified all issues in increasing the combat capability of the army with his unusual military wisdom and instilled the conviction of sure victory into the soldiers, looking after their living with paternal love.
This love inspired the servicemen to wage a heroic struggle and perform exploits and emerge strong in thought and faith.
Kim Jong Il has also led the KPA to set an example not only in the defence of the country but in socialist construction.
KPA servicemen built a number of monumental edifices in different parts of the country even in the period of the "arduous march" and the forced march including the Anbyon Youth Power Station and recreation grounds in Mt. Jongbang and Mt. Kuwol.
They displayed to the full the indomitable revolutionary and fighting spirit in the key fields of economic construction.
The KPA is loved and respected by all the people in the DPRK as a staunch champion of the cause of socialism and a creator of people's happiness.
Dominican political party leader arrives
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Miguel Mejia, secretary general of the united left movement of Dominica, arrived in Pyongyang yesterday on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army.
The guest was met by vice department director Pak Kyong Son of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea at the airport.
Talks held between delegations of WPK and UMNO
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between a delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea and a delegation of the United Malay National Organization (UMNO) today.
At the talks, both sides informed each other of activities of the two parties and exchanged views on the issue of developing the friendly relations between the two parties and a series of matters of mutual concern.
Present at the talks were vice department director Pak Kyong Son of the Central Committee of the WPK, officials concerned and members of the delegation led by Datuk Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi, member of the UMNO supreme council.
Talks held between Korean, Swedish party delegations
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Talks between the delegations of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Communist Party Marxist Leninist (R) in Sweden were held here today.
At the talks both sides informed each other of their parties' activities and exchanged views on the issue of developing the friendly relations between the two parities and a series of matters of mutual concern.
Present there were Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, officials concerned and members of the delegation of the Communist Party Marxist Leninist (R) in Sweden led by chairman of its central committee Anders Karlsson.
Talks held between WPK secretary and Bangladeshi party leader
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between secretary Kim Ki Nam of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and general secretary Dilip Barua of the central committee of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist-Leninist) in Pyongyang today.
Both sides informed each other of activities of the two parties and exchanged views on the matter of developing the friendly ties between the two parties and a series of issues of mutual concern.
The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Japanese PM condemned for visit to Yasukuni Shrine
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The Japanese Prime Minister visited the Yasukuni Shrine on April 21, again arousing astonishment and wrath from among people in and outside Japan.
A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry released a statement today in this regard.
The recent visit is a sheer blatant challenge to the peace-loving people in Asia and the rest of the world standing against Japan's militarization. This is arousing deeper apprehension among them as it was timed to coincide with the militaristic campaign that is going on in Japan to adopt an emergency law, the statement says, and goes on:
Any visit to the Yasukuni Shrine by the incumbent prime minister of Japan can never be pardoned regardless of its timing and form as it is little short of the Japanese government's action to justify the past crimes of Japan.
The DPRK strongly denounces such reckless deeds as visits to the shrine by persons in high authority and other statesmen of Japan.
If Japan takes the road of militarism again, oblivious of the lessons drawn from the past history in which it was ruined by its own aggression and overseas expansionist moves, it will only precipitate a miserable end.