Kim Jong Il enjoys art performance given by servicemen's family art circles
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il saw an art performance given by servicemen's family art circles of KPA units nos. 630 and 549 at the Mansudae Art Theatre on June 10. They participated in the fifth servicemen's family art circle contest of the KPA.
The performers' repertoire included colorful numbers of diverse genres including chorus "our everlasting day of the sun" and poem and five women's chorus "general's care represents our cradle".
The performance was highly acclaimed by the audience for its high ideological and artistic value.
Kim Jong Il was greatly pleased with their successful performance in which the servicemen's family art circle members made a vivid and truthful depiction of their life and feelings.
Praising the servicemen's families placing the interests of the country and revolution above their own as truly proud women revolutionaries who have courageously emerged from difficulties and trials, he called on all the people to earnestly learn from their noble spiritual world, their militant spirit and way of life so that a revolutionary spirit may prevail throughout the society.
Noting that the servicemen's family art circle contest of the KPA whose organization has become a tradition has helped radically raise the cultural attainments of the servicemen's families and create a new style of culture in the army-based era, he put forward highly important tasks which would serve as a guideline in further developing the art circles activities of weighty importance in the revolutionary education of the party members and other working people.
Implementation of independent reunification proposition called for
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- The strength of unity of the Korean nation regarding the great proposition "By concerted efforts of the Korean nation" as a maxim is inexhaustible and Korea is sure to be reunified, said Rodong Sinmun on June 10 in a signed article.
The article continued:
This great proposition serves as a banner of victory of the movement for national reunification and a patriotic slogan to be invariably upheld and implemented to accomplish the cause of national independence.
The proposition reflects the Korean nation's strong spirit of national independence, the spirit of achieving the reunification and prosperity of the nation without fail in the new century by the concerted efforts of the driving force of the nation based on the pride in the homogeneous nation with a long history.
The Korean nation has greeted a new era in the history of the movement for national reunification advancing, guided by the idea of "by concerted efforts of the Korean nation." This is a shining fruition of leader Kim Jong Il's strong idea of independence and his patriotic policy.
The great proposition is a brilliant embodiment of his great idea of national independence and bolsters up the Korean nation's patriotic enthusiasm and confidence of reunification.
It is an essential requirement for keeping the movement for reunification on the orbit of independence to oppose outsiders.
The Korean nation's movement for reunification can be successfully completed only through vigorous anti-u.s. actions.
All Koreans should fully support and implement the June 15 joint declaration to the letter, fully aware that Korea and its nation can exist only when the declaration is implemented.
Staff members of foreign embassies help Korean farmers
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- Janchivdorjyn Lombo, Mongolian ambassador to the DPRK, and embassy officials helped farmers of the Korea-Mongolia Friendship Jongbang Cooperative Farm in rice-transplanting on June 10.
The guests handed aid materials to the farm.
Meanwhile, staff members of the Cambodian embassy helped farmers of the Korea-Cambodia Friendship Paeksok Cooperative Farm in farming on June 9.
Pyongyang Circus
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- 50 years have passed since the Pyongyang Circus was established.
The circus is located in Mangyongdae district of Pyongyang. It plays a key role in the development of Korean circus.
The circus was organized with more than 20 acrobats in June Juche 41 (1952) when the Korean War was at its height. But today it has grown to be a prestigious art organization, having hundreds of acrobats and a wealth of experience in creation and a long tradition.
Over the last five decades the circus has created and staged some 970 acrobatic pieces including over 330 pieces of physical circus, more than 310 pieces of magic, animal feats, circus on ice and synchronized swimming.
It gave over 37,930 performances at home only.
It made over 5,620 performance tours of nearly 70 countries including China, Britain, Italy, France and Mexico.
It was awarded more than 60 best prizes, special prizes, gold medals and other medals at 35 international circus and magic festivals.
Typical works created by the circus are "seesawing," "somersault in flight," "flying girls," "flight on a high iron bar" and magic piece "bumper harvest of apples."
It has produced one labor hero, 12 people's artistes and people's actors and actresses, 46 merited artistes and merited actors and actresses.
It was awarded Kim Il Sung Order for its contribution to the development of circus.
President Kim Il Sung provided guidance to the circus on 26 occasions and leader Kim Jong Il on 41 occasions.
Large ship built
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- The Hambuk Ship-Building Complex of the DPRK recently built a large cargo ship of 20,000-ton class "Kunjari".
It is capable of carrying 4,000 tons more cargo than ships of the same class, while saving diesel.
Loading and discharging, cargo storing, navigation, etc. are remote controlled and all the equipment and facilities of the ship are in line with the international marine safety regulation.
It is expected to leave port soon.
People's sportswoman loved by nation
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- DPRK sportswoman Han Phil Hwa was the first Asian to win a medal at the winter Olympic Games.
Born into a worker's family in Nampho city on January 21, 1942 she was very sensitive to physical exercise and nurtured a strong ambition in her childhood.
After graduating from the then Nampho higher middle school in Juche 48 (1959), she joined the Pyongyang city sports group (Moranbong sports group at that time) as a speed skater and was active there till 1972.
In this period she bagged scores of medals including at least 20 gold medals at big national and international tournaments.
It was her spectacular success that she won a silver medal in the 3,000 m race at the 9th winter Olympic Games held in Innsbruck, Austria, in February 1964, shattering the myth of Europe at that time and creating a big sensation among world skaters.
After leaving her sports group, she finished the three-year special course of Korean university of physical education.
Holding various posts in the field of sports, she has rendered distinguished services for the development of the nation's speed skating.
She was elected a deputy to the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly in 1998.
A Kim Il Sung Prize winner and People's Sportswoman, she is working heart and soul for the development of the country's sports.
Japan urged to make political decision to settle its past
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- Japan is evading its responsibility to redress its past because it has an ambition to repeat its past. This only doubles or trebles its crimes committed in the past. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
Japan's evasion of its responsibility to settle its past only deepens the mistrust and antagonism among countries and renders the international community uneasy. This is clearly evidenced by the present DPRK-Japan relations.
The army and people of the DPRK are becoming increasingly assertive that if Japan does not redeem its past crimes they should force Japan to pay for them come what may.
Japan's attitude can be interpreted, in the final analysis, as a deliberate act to spark an armed clash between the DPRK and Japan.
This behaviour adversely affects the peaceful progress in the region, too.
Japan committed so hideous and enormous crimes in the past that they can never be settled by a few glossy words "regret" or "apology."
The issue can be solved only when Japan makes a state confession of its crimes and apology and full compensation for them.
Japan is well advised to face up to the trend of the times toward independence and the requirement of the world mindset, stop adding to its past crimes and make a political decision to redress its past at an earliest possible date.
International book exhibition opens
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang international scientific and technological book exhibition was opened at the Grand People's Study House yesterday.
On show are scientific and technological books presented by two international bodies and 19 organizations of eight countries.
During the exhibition, views on special sectors will be exchanged and exchange of books and cooperation consulted.
Present at the opening ceremony were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and officials concerned.
Also on hand were the delegations of the television trust for the environment, the Pugwash conference on science and world affairs, Moscow State University named after Lomonosov of Russia, the Jilin provincial publishers of china, the publishers association for cultural exchange of Japan and other delegations, diplomatic envoys of different countries and embassy officials here.
Acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol in an opening address hoped that the exhibition would contribute to promoting exchange and cooperation in the field of science and technology.
Valeri Zikarev, head of the delegation of Far Eastern State University of Russia, in a congratulatory speech expressed his conviction that the exhibition would make a due contribution to strengthening international cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and technology and developing good neighborly relations among different countries.
The participants looked round books on display.
A reception was given at the Pyongyang Koryo Hotel in the evening in connection with the opening of the exhibition.
Greetings to prime minister and foreign minister of Russia
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of greetings to his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mikhailovich Kasyanov on the occasion of Russia's National Day.
The message expressed belief that the DPRK-Russia relations, the ties of economic cooperation between the two countries in particular, would grow stronger on the basis of the new legal foundation and on the principle of mutual benefit and sincerely wished him great success in his work for the economic development of the country.
Meanwhile, Paek Nam Sun, minister of foreign affairs, sent a message of greetings to his Russian counterpart Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov on the same occasion.
Kim Jong Il sends greetings to Russian President
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il today sent a message of greetings to Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on the occasion of Russia's National Day.
The message said:
I believe that the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Russia will fully expand and develop in various fields including politics, economy and culture on the basis of the spirit agreed upon between us at our meetings and talks.
Availing myself of this opportunity, I sincerely wish you greater success in your responsible work for the social stability and prosperity of the country as well as the Russian people peace and wellbeing.
Greetings to Philippine President
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today on the occasion of the 104th anniversary of its National Day.
Expressing belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in various fields, the message sincerely wished the president greater success in her responsible work for the prosperity of the country.