Japan's moves to upgrade defense agency under fire
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in a signed commentary says that elevating the status of the Japan Defense Agency to Ministry is not just an issue of changing the name. It clearly reflects the Japanese reactionaries' ever-undisguised moves of reinvasion, the commentary says, and goes on:
Now the Japanese reactionaries are seeking to largely expand the rights of the agency and establish a military system similar to that on the eve of the Second World War.
In this way they want to realise their ambition for overseas aggression at any cost. it is also motivated by the same purpose that Japan intends to integrate the operation bodies of the chiefs of staff of the three services of the "Self-Defense Forces" (SDF) to put them under the control of the joint chiefs of staff of the defense agency.
The Japanese reactionaries claim that these steps are necessary to cope with post-cold war "threats." But this is nothing but a sheer lie to cover up their ambition for aggression.
What they have done under the pretext of coping with "regional disputes" and "threat of terrorism" are just preparations for a war of aggression.
But this choice will bring them to death. In the past the Japanese imperialists met their defeat in the war of aggression.
KCNA slams Japanese hypocrites' burlesque
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- Japanese ministers were recently reported to have agreed to donate each about 3,000 u.s. dollars to create what they called "civilian fund" for former "Comfort Women for the Army". This is fresh hypocrisy to be ridiculed by the international community.
This is, therefore, an intolerable mockery of the international community demanding a thorough investigation into the crimes related to the "comfort women for the army" and the Japanese government's state reparation for them and a mean political burlesque peculiar to Japan.
It is a stark historical fact well known to the world that before and during the second world war the Japanese imperialists sexually abused in battlefields nearly 200,000 Korean women and many other women from such various countries as china, Philippines and Indonesia and cruelly killed almost all of them before Japan's defeat.
At that time the Japanese government and military set up the disgraceful system of "Comfort Women for the Army" on the basis of abnormal military logic that "soldiers' sexual desire must be gratified to sustain the war fever and the combat capability of the army."
The international community is so critical of Japan for the above-said crimes because they were the most barbarous and hideous crimes against humanity unprecedented in human history.
These crimes should be settled on the basis of such judicial relations as "the Japanese government being assailant and former 'Comfort Women for the Army' being victims".
It was by no means fortuitous that Asahi Shimbun May 15, reporting news of the international conference held to demand Japan redress its past, noted that "the issue of 'comfort women' was an unavoidable task along with the issue of forced drafting" and "It was clear that they could never be solved by creating a 'civilian fund'".
However, the Japanese government has become so shameless as to create a "civilian fund" in a bid to evade state reparation for the crimes and stage such farce of paying a petty amount of money collected from its people to a few surviving former "comfort women".
The Japanese ministers were ridiculous enough to join such a shameful farce with a meager amount of money.
This suffices to judge Japanese politicians' political credentials and personality once again Japan is well advised to make an unconditional and honest apology to all the victims of the system of the "Comfort Women for the Army" and opt for instituting a law on the state reparation for the crimes, instead of clinging to such brazen-faced farce of adding to the pain of the former "comfort women".
Reception given to mark anniversary of treaty between DPRK and China
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- A reception was hosted by the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the c.c., the DPRK-China Friendship Association on July 9 on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the DPRK-China treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance.
Minister of Public Health Kim Su Hak, chairman of the c.c. of the association, addressing the reception, said that the treaty inked by President Kim Il Sung and Premier Zhou Enlai 41 years ago has made a positive contribution to the development of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and the defence of the peace in Asia and the rest of the world.
He noted that the mutual visits and meetings of the top leaders of the two countries marked a historic event which declared the desire and will of the parties, governments and peoples of the two countries to steadily develop the friendly relations between the two countries in the new century, too.
He wished the Chinese people great success in the efforts to turn China into a prosperous and modern socialist country and achieve the complete reunification of the country.
Wu Donghe, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, in a speech said that the two countries have always supported and helped each other and steadily developed the exchange and cooperation between the two countries over the last 41 years.
The history proves that the treaty positively contributed to the cause of building socialism in the two countries and greatly helped towards protecting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the Asian-Pacific region, he added.
Noting that the Chinese people are rejoiced over the fact that the army and people of the DPRK are having four beliefs in the excellence of the leader, idea, the might of the army and advantages of the system, and bringing about a fresh boost in socialist construction, upholding the army-based line set forth by leader Kim Jong Il, he wished the heroic Korean people fresh victory in socialist construction under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.
Modern stock farm on outskirts of Pyongyang
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- There is a modern stock farm in Kubin-ri of Kangdong county, Pyongyang. Dairy products from its milk-processing shop including kefir cheese and yogurt are popular not only at sports, public health and educational institutions in Pyongyang but at foreign embassies here. They are expected to be best sellers at home and abroad.
U.S. moves for fresh nuclear arms race under fire
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- All the peace-loving people of the world should frustrate moves of the U.S. imperialists for arms race and nuclear war, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article.
The article says:
The U.S. repealed the ABM treaty on June 13 it concluded with the former Soviet Union in 1972. As a result, the 30-year-old treaty has become invalid.
The abrogation of the treaty is fraught with the danger of sparking a new arms race and cold war.
It is mainly aimed to establish the Missile Defense System (MD).
Now the united states is free to push ahead with the establishment of the MD in real earnest.
This situation compels not only the countries which have neither nuke nor missile but also those which have a comparatively small number of such weapons to take self-defense measures to cope with the U.S. imperialists' nuclear and missile threat. Moreover, big powers will not remain passive onlookers to the U.S. moves for the establishment of MD, but will take counter-measures against them. This will mean the advent of a new era of arms race and cold war.
The repeal of the treaty is more dangerous as it was timed to coincide with the U.S. escalation of "anti-terrorism war".
The United States seeks to cover the earth with a dense missile defense network through the establishment of the MD and escalate the "anti-terrorism war" worldwide. This will further increase the danger of a nuclear war.
The Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia will be exposed to greater danger due to the U.S. abrogation of ABM treaty and moves for the establishment of the MD.
The United States is keen to ignite a nuclear war in this region.
It is very clear what disaster will come to Asia and the rest of the world when such a war breaks out.
The U.S. abrogation of the treaty and intensified moves for the establishment of the MD are bound to have a serious impact on the world peace and security.
UK government donates equipment to HMS of DPRK
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- The UK government donated equipment to the hydro-meteorological service of the DPRK through the World Hydro-Meteorological Organization.
A staff member of the UK Embassy here conveyed them on the spot on July 9.
Ko Sang Bok, vice-director of the HMS, and officials concerned looked round the equipment.
This donation will be helpful to the hydro-meteorological service in the DPRK.
GIS killings condemned
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- At least 1,000 members of the "All-People Measure Committee for Middle-School Girls Sin Hyo Sun and Sim Mi Son Killed By the U.A. Armored Car" held a meeting condemning the killings in front of the gate of the U.S. second division on July 7, according to the South Korean Yonhap News and radio no.1. The committee consists of more than 40 civic and students' organizations including the citizens' solidarity for retaking the U.S. military bases, our land, and the association for the environment movement.
They demanded an open apology from U.S. President Bush for killing schoolgirls, probe into the truth of the incident, the withdrawal of the U.S. troops, etc.
At the end of the meeting the participants marched as far as Uijongbu Railway Station.
That day, the "public security" authorities deployed over 3,600 policemen of 30 companies around the venue of the meeting under the pretext of "coping with a possible emergency."
Political party leader of Democratic Congo visits DPRK Embassy
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- Jean Baptiste nkoy, General Secretary of the People's Rally for Socialism of Democratic Congo, visited the DPRK Embassy in his country on July 5 on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of President Kim Il Sung's demise.
He laid a floral basket before portraits of the president and leader Kim Jong Il and paid tribute to them.
Saying that the president performed great feats for the Korean people and the world progressives, he noted that his great exploits are immortal and will give a strong impetus to the world revolutionary people.
He stressed that his party would widely introduce and follow the immortal revolutionary idea of the president and Kim Jong Il.
Korean people's cause supported
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Pong Gi, DPRK Ambassador to Burundi, presented his credentials to Pierre Buyoya, President of Burundi, on June 28.
Recalling with deep emotion that President Kim Il Sung met him each time when he visited the DPRK two times, the Burundian President said that Kim Il Sung was a saviour who made a great contribution to the building of a new society by Burundi and other African people.
He congratulated the Korean people on their steady victories and progress made in their efforts for socialist construction and the reunification of the country under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il and extended solidarity to them.
Noting that the army-based policy of Kim Jong Il guarantees the dignity and might of socialist Korea, he expressed full support to the Korean people in their struggle to protect the socialist cause and the dignity of the country.
White broad bellflower on Mt. Kumgang
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- Roots of broad bellflower have been known as good for health in Korea from old times.
Most famous in various kinds of broad bellflowers that one can see everywhere in Korea is white broad bellflower on Mt. Kumgang.
The roots of white broad bellflower are widely used as pharmaceuticals for treatment of phlegm, cough and cold abdomen and for restoration of energy.
The main elements of the roots are protein, oil, carbohydrate, minerals, vitamin B1, B2, C and PP, Saponin, etc. So the white broad bellflower is widely cultivated as good edible herbs.
Specially in the area of Mt. Kumgang a crude drug office is working and it collects roots of broad bellflower in large quantities every year.
The beautiful broad bellflower is also growing in parks, recreation grounds and other places.
Press release of KPA navy command
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- The navy command of the Korean People's Army today issued the following press release:
The navy of the South Korean Army committed a military provocation by infiltrating two combat warships into territorial waters of our side off Dungsan-got and south of Kuwol Hill in the Kangryong Peninsula at around 10:05 and 10:25 am today.
This provocation in the wake of the intrusion on July 7 is a premeditated provocation to ignite a new armed clash by further aggravating the situation in these waters that has become extremely tense since the armed clash on June 29.
We warn that the South Korean military authorities are deliberately working to spark grave military conflicts by infiltrating warships one after another into territorial waters of our side in the west sea.
Kim Jong Thae Electric Locomotive Plant
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- The Kim Jong Thae Electric Locomotive Plant is a leading producer of electric locomotives and other rolling stocks in Korea. It is situated in Sosong district, Pyongyang.
Its total space is 400,000 square meters.
The plant has greatly contributed to laying foundations of the self-supporting national economy and introducing electric traction in the country.
It has produced a large number of well-equipped passenger cars and electric cars since it made the first electric locomotive "Pulgungi" in Juche 50 (1961).
In 1991 the plant made an 8-axis electric locomotive which was important in providing railway with heavy-duty equipment.
In the middle of the 1990s when the Korean people were undergoing the "arduous march" the plant failed to keep the production on a high level.
General Secretary Kim Jong Il gave on-site guidance to the plant in January this year and said that it should equip all its production processes with up-to-date facilities and produce many electric locomotives with a large pulling capacity and fashionable passenger cars.
The plant has introduced new technologies in all production processes and increased the production of modern-equipped passenger cars to meet the need of the new century.
Birth anniversary of Kim Hyong Jik observed
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- Today marks the 108th birth anniversary of the indomitable revolutionary fighter Kim Hyong Jik.
He was born to a patriotic family in Mangyongdae and grew up under the revolutionary influence of his parents.
Experiencing the miserable reality of the nation's ordeal in his childhood, he embarked on the road of revolution in his early years with a noble aim to liberate the country.
He set out the idea of rejecting sycophantic treachery and maintaining the spirit of national independence, the policy which called for fighting the armed enemy with arms and the policy of combining various forms and methods of struggle in the anti-Japanese national liberation movement and devoted himself to materializing them.
Thanks to his noble spirit of national independence and energetic activities, the Korean National Association was formed in March 23, 1917 to lead the anti-Japanese national liberation movement to vigorously advance along the road of independent development. As a result, a new history began in Korea to clear away the dark clouds of statelessness.
Indeed, he lived a brilliant life as the ardent patriot, who devoted his all to the country's independence and prosperity of the generations to come.
His life will always be remembered by the Korean people and shine forever in the national history.
His statues were erected in Ponghwa-ri in Kangdong county, Pyongyang, Namsa Workers' District in Sakju county, North Phyongan Province, the Junggang Township in Junggang county, Jagang Province, and other places, his bust in Mangyongdae where he is entombed and the places associated with his exploits turned into revolutionary sites.
Many books on his revolutionary activities were published.
Kim Yong Nam leaves for foreign tour
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today left Pyongyang by a special plane to pay an official good-will visit to the Republic of Indonesia, the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the Ayrian Arab Republic.
Accompanying him were Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Kwang Gun, president of the Academy of Sciences Ri Kwang Ho, acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol, and other suite members.
They were seen off at the airport by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, first vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Sok Ju, officials concerned and Indonesian, Libyan and Syrian charges d' affaires ad interim here.
Wreaths laid before statues and grave of Kim Hyong Jik
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- Senior officials of the party and the state, soldiers of the people's army, working people and school youth and children today laid wreaths before the Statue of Kim Hyong Jik, an indomitable revolutionary fighter and an outstanding leader of the anti-Japanese National Liberation Movement in Korea, in Ponghwa-ri and at his grave in Mangyongdae on the occasion of his 108th birth anniversary.
Seen standing before the statue and the grave were wreaths sent by Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
Present at the wreath-laying ceremonies were Jon Pyong Ho, Kye Ung Thae and other senior party and state officials.
Wreaths, bunches of flowers and flowers were laid before the statue and the grave in the name of the Central Committee of the WPK, the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, the cabinet, ministries and national institutions, military schools, educational and media institutions, party and power organs, enterprises and farms in Pyongyang.
They were also placed before his statues at Kim Hyong Jik Military Medical University and in Sakju and Junggang counties.
Greetings to President of Mongolia
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today sent a message of greetings to Natsagiin Bagabandi, President of Mongolia, on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the victory in the Mongolian People's Revolution.
Hoping for a new success in the work of the president and the people of Mongolia for the prosperity of the country, the message expressed conviction that the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the future.