Rally held to condemn GI killers
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- A rally was reportedly held in front of a U.S. Forces base on August 7 to condemn the GI killers of south Korean schoolgirls under the sponsorship of the Taegu-north Kyongsang provincial headquarters for promoting the 2002 joint national functions.
Present at the rally were members of the organization and other civil and social organizations in Taegu area, the reunification solidarity, the workers, youth, students and women vanguard groups for national reunification and the Taegu-Kyongsang Provincial Federation of University Student Councils, over 2,150 in all.
At the rally speeches were made by the heads of the reunification vanguard groups.
They denounced the police's desperate efforts to defend the U.S. as treachery.
An open letter to President Bush was read out at the rally.
It demanded the U.S. Forces give up criminal jurisdiction at once and Bush apologize immediately.
It also called for an immediate closure of the unit of the U.S. Forces to which the killers belong and total revision of the shackling south Korea-U.S. status of forces agreement.
North side's delegation leaves for Seoul
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The north side's delegation left here today to participate in the August 15 meeting for national reunification to be held in Seoul.
The delegation led by Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the national reconciliation council, consists of representatives from all walks of life and artistes.
They were seen off at the airport by Ryu Mi Yong, chairwoman of the central committee of the Chondoist Chongu Party, Kang Nung Su, minister of culture, leading officials of public organizations and officials concerned.
U.S. hawkish forces' sophism under fire
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The recent remarks made by the director of the U.S. center for security policy at a hearing of the U.S. Senate foreign relations committee about the DPRK's nuclear and missile threat are nothing but sophism intended to tarnish the image of the DPRK and seek a pretext for a preemptive attack on it, say papers here today.
He said that north Korea keeps developing weapons of mass destruction and it is ready to sell missiles to terrorist organizations.
Rodong Sinmun in a signed commentary dismisses this as brigandish logic.
It goes on:
The DPRK explicitly states that its missiles are not for threatening anyone and launching a preemptive attack but for defending the sovereignty and security of the country from enemies' aggression.
The escalated moves of the U.S. to stifle the DPRK will only compel it to further increase its revolutionary armed forces and consolidate the military position of the country.
Nobody has the right to take issue with this.
A new Korean war to be provoked by the U.S. imperialists will never be crowned with their "victory" unlike what happened in other countries and regions. This war will turn out to be decisive battles between the DPRK and the U.S.
A signed commentary of Minju Joson says that the U.S. hawkish forces should refrain from pointing an accusing finger to the sovereign states' exercise of their legitimate rights to increase the self-reliant defence capability and immediately stop their development of weapons of mass destruction and moves for a war of aggression.
Successful August 15 functions called for
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland expressed conviction that the August 15 meeting for national reunification would be held in favor of the improved inter-Korean relations and national reunification to meet the aspiration and desire of the Korean nation, said a spokesman for the CPRF in a statement issued Tuesday.
The participation of the north side's delegation in the meeting for national reunification which is to be held in Seoul on the occasion of the day of the country's liberation for the first time since its division is a clear manifestation of the north's sincere efforts and stand to open up a decisive phase of independent national reunification by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation under the banner of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, he said, and continued:
The participation in the Seoul functions by envoys for reunification sent by General Secretary Kim Jong Il is of great significance in developing the movement for national reunification.
The inter-Korean relations are being brought back to the track of reconciliation, cooperation and dialogue thanks to the north's sincere efforts.
The dialogue and contacts between the north and the south should be held in the basic spirit of the joint declaration under all circumstances. There should be no such things as reading other's face and talking nonsense while talking about the declaration, the practices intended to scuttle important events common to the nation.
At present it is important to exert positive efforts to make the functions to be held to realize the aspiration and desire of all the Koreans successful ones demonstrating the nation's reconciliation and unity at home and abroad. Even slight moves of outsiders and anti-reunification forces to break up the functions should never be allowed.
Statue of Macarthur should be removed
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The south Korean people are strongly demanding the removal of the statue of Macarthur.
The statue was built in Inchon city in September 1957 by the traitor Syngman Rhee praising Macarthur as the "savior of the nation who defended south Korea from the aggression of the communists."
Macarthur, commander of the U.S. Forces in the Far East and commander of the UN forces, was the enemy of the nation who inflicted immeasurable misfortune, sufferings and disasters upon the Korean people.
After landing on south Korea on September 8, 1945 by leading 45,000-strong U.S. Forces, he enforced the military rule by the U.S. Forces at the end of the policy of the governor-general of the Japanese imperialists.
Many democratic forces and patriotic people of south Korea were ruthlessly killed during his three-year-long military rule.
After inspecting the 38th parallel, he mapped out the Korean war scenario called al-3 and fixed June 25 as the date to ignite the war.
He tried to use even A-bombs in a bid to recover their military defeat in the Korean war.
He also saved the Japanese "Emperor", the special-class war criminal, and encouraged the revival of Japanese militarism so that it could emerge a dangerous aggressor force.
It is shame on the Korean nation that he is praised as the savior of the nation and his statue is standing in south Korea.
Prof. Han Hung Gu at university of Episcopal church in an article contributed to the magazine Hangyore 21 deplored: I feel choked when I think whether Macarthur was really entitled to be called a savoir of the nation or whether he was so great that his statue had to be erected in his lifetime.
Macarthur was by no means a savior of the nation who should be worshiped with his statue built.
The statue of murderous general Macarthur should be pulled down before anything else in order to preserve the dignity and self-respect of the Korean nation and get rid of shame and contempt.
Kim Il Sung's feats for national reunification
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- With the approach of August 15, the 57th anniversary of Korean liberation, all the Korean people have recollected imperishable feats President Kim Il Sung performed for the country's reunification.
Since the country was divided, he had indicated ways for the Korean nation to be reunified in every period and stage of the developing situation, regarding the reunification of the country as an issue vital for the destiny of the country and the nation.
After the liberation of the country, he, deeply worried about the nation's division, laid down policies for national reunification at a meeting of the presidium of the central committee of the Democratic National United Front of North Korea in Juche 36 (1947), a conference of leaders of political parties and social organizations of north and south Korea in 1948, the second session of the Supreme People's Assembly in 1949 and other major meetings.
Early in the 1970s he met the south side's delegates to the high-level political talks between the north and the south and enunciated the idea of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity, the basic principles to be adhered to always in achieving national reunification.
In 1980 when the separatists talked about the impossibility of reunification, contrary to the fellow countrymen's desire for reunification, he put forward the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo, a proposal for reunifying the country on the basis of the three principles of national reunification, at the sixth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.
He also advanced the ten-point policy to be implemented by the federal state, guidelines for reunified Korea.
He laid down the five-point policy for national reunification at the first session of the ninth Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK in May 1990 to promote the country's reunification.
He, around 80, conducted energetic ideological and theoretical activities, saying he would take a rest after the reunification of the country.
He published "Let Us Achieve The Great Unity Of Our Nation" in August 1991, "Let The North And The South Open The Way To Peace And The Reunification Of The Country In A United Effort" in February 1992, "10-Point Programme Of The Great Unity Of The Whole Nation For The Reunification Of The Country" in April 1993 and other works which provided a bright prospect for national reunification.
In 1994, the last year of his life, he turned the situation of the country to dialogue and negotiations from the brink of war. He read an important document concerning the reunification issue and signed it just before his heart stopped beating.
The three charters of national reunification provided by him in his lifetime have enjoyed unrestricted support from the entire Korean nation as an immortal banner for national reunification.
General Secretary Kim Jong Il, true to the president's instructions for reunification, arranged the historic Pyongyang inter-Korean summit meeting and the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, opening up a new phase of national reunification.
The Korean nation will surely achieve national reunification in line with the three charters, the most just and realistic guidelines for reunification, and build a powerful and prospering nation.
DPRK divers train hard for gold medals
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Divers of the DPRK state sports group are now training hard for forthcoming international tournaments.
Pak Yong Ryong and Kim Song Jin, holders of local synchronized diving title, are under intensive training.
They gave a good account of themselves in carrying out difficult actions and ensuring unanimity.
They carried off a cup, silver medals and honorary certificates in international diving contests for "grand prize" held in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
They finished second in the 21st World Universiad in 2001, but they are convinced that they would emerge the winner in the Olympic Games to be held in Athens in 2004 and earlier international games.
Director-level talks of foreign ministries of DPRK and Japan to be held
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Director-level talks of the foreign ministries of the DPRK and Japan are to be held in Pyongyang from August 25 to 26 under an agreement reached at the talks of the foreign ministers of the DPRK and Japan in Brunei Darussalam on July 31.
The talks will discuss all the matters related to establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries and outstanding issues of bilateral concern.
Greetings to Congolese President
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Tuesday sent a message of greetings to Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of Congo, on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of its independence.
The message expressed belief that the good friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the mutual interests of the two peoples and wished him success in his responsible work for national reconciliation and unity and the country's prosperity.
Greetings to Vietnamese foreign minister
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Foreign minister Paek Nam Sun sent a message of greetings to Nguyen Dy Nien upon his reappointment as foreign minister of Vietnam.
In the belief that the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries would grow stronger in the interests of socialism and the two peoples, the message sincerely wished him new success in his work.
Paek Nam Sun receives credentials from UN resident coordinator
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, foreign minister of the DPRK, today received credentials from Masood Hyder, newly appointed coordinator of the UN humanitarian affairs and resident representative of the UN Development Programme who is WFP representative and UN resident coordinator.
Joint press release on 7th north-south ministerial talks
Seoul, August 14 (KCNA correspondent) -- A joint press release on the 7th inter-Korean ministerial talks was published in Seoul today.
The joint press release says:
The 7th north-south ministerial talks were held in Seoul from August 12 to 14, 2002.
At the talks both sides confirmed their will to implement the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration to the letter, discussed the measures to put into practice the April 5 joint press release and solve the issues of mutual concern and agreed upon as follows:
1. The north and the south shall hold the second meeting of the north-south committee for the promotion of economic cooperation in Seoul from August 26 to 29.
The meeting shall discuss the issue of relinking the railways and roads between the north and the south, the issue of building a Kaesong industrial zone, the issue of preventing flood damage in the area along the River Rimjin and other issues of economic cooperation.
The north and the south shall simultaneously start the ground-breaking projects for relinking railways and roads in the areas along the east coast and between Sinuiju and Seoul and finally fix the date, taking technical issues, etc. into consideration.
2. The north and the south shall recommend their military authorities to take immediate steps to provide military guarantee for relinking railways and roads between the north and the south and hold the talks between the military authorities of the two sides at an early date.
3. The north and the south shall hold contacts between working officials in Mt. Kumgang for a joint survey of the Imnam dam of the Anbyon Youth Power Station in mid-September.
4. The north and the south shall arrange the fifth reunion of separated families and relatives in Mt. Kumgang on the occasion of the autumn festival.
The size of the groups involved in reunion and its procedures shall be determined according to the usage of the fourth reunion and concrete issues shall be discussed through a channel in Panmunjom.
In order to settle the issue of the separated families and relatives the fourth north-south red cross talks with the chiefs of the red cross organizations of both sides as heads of delegations shall be held in Mt. Kumgang from September 4 to 6 at which the issue of setting up and operating a meeting place and other issues shall be discussed.
5. The north and the south shall hold the second authorities-to-authorities talks to pep up Mt. Kumgang tourism in Mt. Kumgang from September 10 to 12.
6. The north and the south shall render positive cooperation for smooth negotiations between the Korean Olympic Committee and the organizing committee of the 14th Pusan Asian Games to be opened in Mt. Kumgang on August 17 as regards the issue of the north side's participation in the games, the issue of carrying a torch from Mt. Paektu and all other practical issues.
7. The north and the south shall render positive cooperation to ensure that the north-south soccer match will be held with success in Seoul from September 6 to 8.
8. The north and the south shall promote the exchange of Taekwon-do exhibition groups, the south side's group shall visit Pyongyang in mid-September and the north side's group Seoul in late October and the two sides shall recommend the organizations concerned to hold working negotiations.
9. The north side's economic study group shall visit the south side's area in late October.
10. The north and the south shall hold the 8th north-south ministerial talks in Pyongyang from October 19 to 22.
7th inter-Korean ministerial talks held
Seoul, August 14 (KCNA correspondent) -- The seventh north-south ministerial talks that opened in Seoul amid attention at home and abroad closed Wednesday.
At the talks the two sides reviewed the implementation of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and, through repeated discussions, reached a good agreement on the agenda items from a national reconciliation, cooperation, unity and reunification-oriented stand.
The talks once again proved the attraction and vitality of the historic joint declaration and marked an important occasion in instilling fresh confidence and courage into the 70 million fellow countrymen firmly determined to remain true to the joint declaration and implement it to the letter no matter how the situation and circumstances may change and thus develop the inter-Korean relations by their concerted efforts and open up a turning phase in national reunification.
A joint press release on the 7th north-south ministerial talks was published at the talks.
North side's delegation arrives in Seoul
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The north side's delegation to the August 15 meeting for national reunification arrived in Seoul today.
Representatives of many pro-reunification organizations of south Korea warmly greeted the envoys of reunification from the north at the airport with compatriotic feelings.
Children presented bouquets to members of the delegation.
The delegation issued a statement on its arrival at an airport.
The statement expressed belief that the August 15 meeting for national reunification would mark a significant occasion in implementing the historic June 15 joint declaration to the letter through the concerted efforts of the nation and thereby promoting national reconciliation and unity and accelerating national reunification.
In the afternoon the delegation saw an art performance given by the south side's artistes and was present on invitation at a banquet given by the headquarters for the joint national functions for 2002.
North side's delegation to inter-Korean ministerial talks back
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The north side's delegation headed by chief councillor of the cabinet Kim Ryong Song returned here Wednesday after participating in the 7th north-south ministerial talks.
It was greeted at the airport by minister of culture Kang Nung Su, director of the secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland An Kyong Ho and officials concerned.