National reconciliation and unity called for
Pyongyang, June 9 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article carried with the second anniversary of the north-south joint declaration at hand says that national reconciliation and unity represent a slogan which all the fellow countrymen should hold high in their struggle for reunification.
The article goes on:
For the Koreans to achieve national reconciliation and unity means wiping out the misunderstanding and mistrust pent up in the course of continued national division, understanding and trusting each other and pooling will and efforts to attain the common purpose.
National reconciliation and unity are commonly demanded by the Korean nation and a manifestation of its noble patriotic will.
National reconciliation and unity are essential as they reflect the common demand and interests of the nation.
To achieve them is not an issue arising because of the differing ideologies and systems and property status.
Any Korean suffering from the national division should think of the cause of national reunification before discussing the ideology and should be concerned about the destiny of the nation before talking about the differing systems.
The spirit of achieving national reconciliation and unity represents the height of the patriotic feelings.
All the Koreans should firmly unite under the banner of the north-south joint declaration to resolutely meet the anti-national, anti-reunification and anti-DPRK challenges and foil the moves of the separatists at home and abroad to provoke a war.
Humanitarian aid to DPRK from U.S.
Pyongyang, June 9 (KCNA) -- The U.S. government on June 7 published a decision to provide 100,000 tons of food to the DPRK in response to the appeal of the WFP.
Earlier, it has already offered 100,000 tons of food at the outset of this year as it had promised at the end of 2001 through WFP. It decided to additionally offer 50,000 tons of food and it is now in the process of delivery.
This is a humanitarian measure taken by the U.S. in view of the DPRK's food problem caused by the repeated natural disasters.
Overseas organizations participate in international signature campaign
Pyongyang, June 9 (KCNA) -- Overseas compatriots organizations took part in the international signature campaign for supporting the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the U.S. troops from South Korea.
Yang Yong Dong, chairman of the General Association of Koreans in China, Ri Tong Chol, chairman of the United Confederation of Koreans (Kothongryon) in Russia, Kim Yong Sul, chairman of Kothongryon in Ukraine, Paek Yong Jin, chairman of Kothongryon in Uzbekistan, Kang Sun Ho, chairman of Kothongryon in Kazakhstan, and Ko Tae Chun, chairman of the United Confederation of Korean Youth in Uzbekistan, signed the signature paper on behalf of their organizations.
Japanese chief cabinet secretary's remark slammed
Pyongyang, June 9 (KCNA) -- A press conference was reportedly held in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul on June 5 denouncing Japanese chief cabinet secretary Fukuda's remark that Japan may have access to nuclear weapons.
It was sponsored by nine civic and public organizations of South Korea including the council for independent reunification, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the council for defending national spirit and the solidarity for social progress.
Branding his remark as a virtual attempt at nuclear weaponization and a real intention of Japan, the press conference denounced Japan's moves to revive militarism aimed at creating military tensions in northeast Asia and realizing its wild ambition for turning it into a military power.
It is as clear as noonday that if Japan watching for a chance of reinvasion possesses nuclear weapons, the Korean peninsula will be its first target, a press release noted, saying we can never tolerate Japan's attempt at nuclear weaponization as it is keen to realize its design for invasion by sacrificing the Korean nation.
The press release said that the chief cabinet secretary's outburst is a blatant challenge and an undisguised threat to the desire for peace of the whole humankind who demand a stop to the nuclear arms race and a total abolition of nuclear weapons.
It demanded an official apology of the Japanese government for Fukuda's remark and his immediate resignation.
At the end of the press conference its participants handed over a letter of protest to the Japanese embassy.
Message of sympathy to Syrian President
Pyongyang, June 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on June 8 sent a message of sympathy to Syrian President Bashar al Assad as regards an unexpected dam collapse in Syria that caused serious human and material damages.
Hearing the sad news, I express deep condolences and sympathy to you and, through you, to the victims and the bereaved families, the message said.
It hoped that the government and the people of Syria would recover from the consequences of the disaster as soon as possible and bring the living of the people in the afflicted area to normal under the leadership of the president.
Korea's reunification supported by Indians
New Delhi, June 7 (KCNA) -- Over 20,357,400 persons of 20 political parties and organizations of India have participated in the international signature campaign for supporting the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the U.S. troops from South Korea for the last four months.
The general secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the general secretary of the national council of the Communist Party of India, the general secretary of the c.c., the All-India Forward Bloc, the secretary general of the All-India Agricultural Workers' Union, the chairman of the centre of India Trade Unions, the secretary general of the All-India Students Front, the chairman of the All-India Indo-Korean Friendship Association, the secretary general of the All-India Progressive Women's Committee, and leaders of other political parties and organizations of India signed signature papers on behalf of members of their organizations.
Parliamentary delegation of Thailand feted
Pyongyang, June 9 (KCNA) -- The Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK hosted a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall yesterday in honor of a parliamentary delegation of Thailand headed by its speaker Uthai Pimchaichon.
Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the SPA, in his speech said that the DPRK would make efforts to strengthen the friendship and solidarity with all the countries including Thailand, pursuant to the DPRK's foreign policy of independence, peace and friendship.
He expressed the belief that the delegation's Korea visit would contribute to boosting the relations daily growing stronger between the two peoples and two parliaments.
Speaker Uthai Pimchaichon in a speech said that the two countries have had regular exchange of delegations at different levels, noting that it has made a great contribution to the development of the bilateral relations.
He said that the success achieved in the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in the last period would serve as a solid foundation to develop the friendship and cooperation in the future.
Message of greetings to Portuguese President
Pyongyang, June 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today sent a message of greetings to Jorge Sampaio, President of Portugal, on the occasion of its National Day.
Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger, the message sincerely wished the president and the people of Portugal new success in the work for the prosperity and development of the country.