Kim Jong Il leaves to visit Far Eastern region of Russia
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il left today to visit the Far-Eastern region of the Russian Federation.
He is accompanied by Kim Yong Chun, member of the NDC of the DPRK and chief of the general staff of the Korean People's Army, Yon Hyong Muk, member of the NDC of the DPRK, Kim Yong Sun, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of foreign affairs, Pak Nam Gi, chairman of the State Planning Commission, Kim Yong Sam, minister of railways, and Jang Song Thaek and Ju Kyu Chang, first vice department directors of the WPK Central Committee.
KCNA demands halt to Ulji Focus Lens joint military maneuvers
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- The Ulji Focus Lens joint military maneuvers will be staged in south Korea from August 19 to 30, according to a radio report from Seoul.
Involved in the maneuvers are most of the U.S. Forces present in south Korea and those in Japan, Guam and the U.S. mainland as well as the south Korean army.
It is a dangerous war exercise as it is intended to examine all the preparations for a war against the DPRK and work out a final timetable to make a preemptive attack on it.
It is also an unpardonable criminal act to vitiate a positive atmosphere of dialogues between the DPRK and the U.S. and between the north and south of Korea arranged with much effort and strain again the military situation on the Korean peninsula.
While talking about dialogue with the DPRK, the United States is staging a large-scale war exercise that is incompatible with dialogue. This compels the DPRK to doubt the U.S. will for dialogue and interpret its call for dialogue as a figleaf to cover up its moves to stifle the DPRK by force of arms.
The U.S. is making foolish attempts to contain the DPRK by force of arms behind the curtain of the DPRK-U.S. dialogue, indifferent to it. But this is an anachronistic day-dream.
What should not be overlooked is the fact that the south Korean hawkish forces are taking part in the war maneuvers by taking advantage of the U.S. belligerent forces' invariable hostile policy toward the DPRK.
As already known, the inter-Korean relations have been put on the orbit of reconciliation and cooperation with the recent 7th inter-Korean ministerial talks and the August 15 meeting for national reunification as a momentum. The talks between the military authorities of the north and the south were recommended to guarantee peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Yet, the south Korean hawkish forces are staging the war maneuvers targeted against the north, swimming against the trend of the times. This throws a wet blanket over all the dialogues between the north and the south including the proposed talks between the military authorities.
No one can vouch that their intentional and deliberate war exercise will neither seriously affect the projected multi-channel inter-Korean talks nor entail grave consequences.
The north wants dialogue for reconciliation and unity between the north and the south but does not beg the belligerent forces for dialogue nor is it afraid of war.
The U.S. and the south Korean hawkish forces keep threatening the DPRK by force of arms. This reality clearly shows how just the DPRK was when it built the revolutionary armed forces equipped with a powerful offensive and defensive means capable of defeating any enemy at a single blow.
The U.S. and the south Korean belligerent forces should not act rashly but stop the reckless war maneuvers against the DPRK at once, properly understanding the faith of the people and army of Korea in certain victory and their steadfast will.
Anti-U.S., anti-war, anti-nuke rally held in S. Korea
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- A rally was held in Seoul on August 11 opposing the U.S. plot for a nuclear war and demanding the punishment of the GIs responsible for the murder of two south Korean girl students, U.S. Forces side's renouncement of jurisdiction and U.S. President Bush's apology.
At the rally speakers called for reunifying the country by the concerted efforts of the nation, not leaving the national sovereignty at the mercy of foreign army.
Saying that the GIs have committed numerous crimes since they landed in south Korea, the speakers stressed they should never be pardoned.
After the rally, the participants took part in an all-people signature campaign demanding Bush's official apology, an investigation into GIs' murder of the girl students, punishment of the murderers and closure of the U.S. military bases in south Korea.
Friendly gathering with Japanese delegation
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting with the members of the delegation of "Peace Boat" of Japan was held at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on August 19.
Present there were Hong Son Ok, vice-chairwoman of the Korean Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, other officials concerned, working people and artistes in the city.
Also participating in the meeting were the members of the delegation headed by its co-director Tatsuya Yoshioka.
Speeches were made at the meeting.
The participants sang and danced, sharing feelings of friendship.
State commendations awarded to creators and performers of Arirang
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- State commendations were awarded to creators and performers of the mass gymnastic and artistic performance Arirang and officials and others who rendered distinguished services for it.
The creators and performers successfully created it as a great monumental masterpiece in the workers' party era in a short span of time, true to the intention of General Secretary Kim Jong Il. It was staged more than 90 times with great success.
Kim Jong Il saw it several times and praised it as a great masterpiece of the world and a smash hit.
An awarding ceremony was held at the May Day Stadium yesterday.
An Se Hwa, creator at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace, was awarded the title of the DPRK Labour Hero as well as a Gold Medal (hammer and sickle) and National Flag Order First Class.
"Kim Il Sung Order" was conferred upon Song Sok Hwan, vice-minister of culture, and "Kim Il Sung Prize" to Kim Su Jo, director of the Phibada Opera Troupe, Kim Jae Gun, producer of the Pyongyang Circus and Cha Yong Do, room chief of the Mansudae Art Troupe.
Watches bearing the august name of President Kim Il Sung were awarded to nine persons and letters of commendation from Kim Jong Il to 18, "Kim Il Sung Youth Honour Prize" to 52 and "Kim Il Sung Children Honour Prize" to six.
The title of People's Sportsman was awarded to two persons, the title of People's Artist to four, the title of People's Artiste to one, the title of Merited Sportsman to two, the title of Merited Artist to six, the title of Merited Artiste to three, National Flag Order First Class to 36 and order of Labour to 168. And other orders and medals were conferred upon many creators, performers and officials and others concerned.
Present at the ceremony were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Sin Il Nam, vice-premier of the DPRK cabinet, officials concerned, creators, performers and others concerned.
Spokesman of DPRK FM assails joint military exercise in S. Korea
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry answered questions put by KCNA today as regards the Ulji Focus Lens joint military maneuvers launched by the U.S. in south Korea on August 19.
He said:
The north-targeted military exercise launched by the U.S. in south Korea is a grave challenge and mockery of the expectation and desire of the Korean nation and the world community and this can neither be understandable nor justifiable.
The U.S. is making thin subterfuges to cover up the provocative nature of the exercise, asserting that it is a command computer mock exercise aimed to examine the cooperative ability and procedures, plan and system for coordinated operations, etc. in contingency. But it is an open secret that the military drill, an annual event, is mainly targeted against the DPRK as was the case with all other maneuvres staged in south Korea earlier.
An atmosphere of reconciliation, cooperation and dialogue prevails between the north and the south and the overall process of dialogue is making progress to solve the Korean issue thanks to the good faith and magnanimity on the part of the DPRK.
The military exercise launched by the U.S. against this backdrop clearly proves that the U.S. is, in fact, leaving no means untried to chill the Koreans' desire for reconciliation and unity between the north and the south and scuttle the process of dialogue, while paying lip-service to the inter-Korean dialogue.
The U.S. is well advised to behave itself, pondering over the consequences to be entailed by its reckless actions.
Hungju Youth Power Plant
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- The Hungju Youth Power Plant is one of electricity producers built during the "arduous march" when the DPRK was in the hardest time.
The plant is situated in Hungju-dong, Kanggye city, Jagang Province, through which the Jangja River flows.
The dam of the plant has 11 sluice gates.
The plant helps satisfactorily solve the shortage of electricity at factories and enterprises in Kanggye city and supply electricity to thousands of dwelling houses for heating.
The man-made large lake of the plant adds beauty to the city.
During his on-site guidance to Kanggye in January Juche 87 (1998), Kim Jong Il set forth a task to build the plant in an ambitious way and indicated how to finish the project in a short span of time.
The plant is boosting the electricity production by updating generating facilities and properly controlling water as required by the new century.
Invincible KPA air force
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- Today is the 55th anniversary of the air force of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
All the Korean people are now looking back on the proud history of the air force.
With a scientific analysis of the situation of the country after its liberation in August 1945 President Kim Il Sung set up branches of an aeronautical association in Pyongyang, Sinuiju and other areas and formed the Korean aeronautical association in December Juche 34 (1945) as part of measures to build the air force of new Korea.
In June 1946 he set up an aviation faculty in Pyongyang institute to train air force personnel and on August 20, 1947 formed a flying corps for the first time in the Korean history.
In February 1948 the flying corps was expanded into the air force, one of the three services of the KPA.
The air force fully displayed its might in the period of the Korean War that was fought from June 1950 to July 1953.
KPA pilots brought down or damaged many enemy planes including strategic bomber B-29 which the U.S. imperialists boasted of as a stronghold in the sky, and bombed enemy airports, military facilities and warships of various types.
In this period the title of guard was awarded to the 56th regiment of pursuit planes and Kim Ki Ok, Ri Mun Sun, Ri Tong Gyu, Thae Son Hui and many other pilots were honored with the titles of the DPRK heroes and heroines.
In the post-war period pilots brought down large-size spy planes RB-47 and EC-121 and other enemy planes that intruded into the territorial air of the DPRK.
The air force has grown considerably in mentality and military technology.
The heroic pilots of the DPRK are training hard to protect the sky of the homeland.
Pyongyang golf links
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang golf links is abustle with Pyongyangites, overseas Koreans and foreigners in this tourist season.
One can reach the golf links by covering just 27kms along the youth hero motorway from southeast of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace.
Its plottage is over 120 hectares and the green covers 45 hectares, with a total length of the golf courses extending about 7km.
A course has 18 holes.
Among the courses are eight short-distance and long-distance courses and 10 middle-distance courses. They are diverse and peculiar in styles.
Traps of the links were created by use of high and low slopes at the foot of Mt. Sokchon. They are in full line with international standards.
There are golf clubs and balls and other apparatuses for more than 100 golfers to play at the same time.
There is a modern club house with a floor space of over 2,700 square meters.
The house with a hip-saddle roof is supported by pillars which look like golf clubs. It gives all kinds of services to visitors.
There are stalls inside the golf links.
The golf links boast a nearby thick woodland, diversity of plants and scenic beauty presented by lake Thaesong.
During breaks golfers enjoy collecting plants, boating and angling in the picturesque recreation ground.
DPRK-Russia friendly relations grow stronger
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- The friendly relations between the DPRK and Russia are growing stronger day by day.
The visit to the Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation by General Secretary Kim Jong Il marks another historic event in putting the DPRK-Russia relations on a new higher stage.
The visit to the DPRK by President of the Russian Federation Putin in July Juche 89 (2000) and Kim Jong Il's historic visit to Russia in August last year marked occasions of opening a new chapter in the friendly relations between the two countries.
The DPRK-Russia Moscow declaration was published as a result of repeated meetings and talks between the top leaders.
This opened a turning phase not only in boosting the DPRK-Russia friendly relations but in defending global peace and security.
Against the backdrop of the daily growing DPRK-Russia friendship, Kim Jong Il visited the Russian embassy in Pyongyang twice this year and received various delegations and figures from all walks of life of the Russian Federation who came to the DPRK, thus injecting fresh dynamism into the development of the bilateral friendly relations.
In recent years, multi-faceted exchange of visits, contacts and interactions took place and positive measures were taken to boost the bilateral cooperation in political, economic and cultural and other fields.
It is the firm belief of the Korean people that Kim Jong Il's visit to the Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation will bring about fresh results in boosting the DPRK-Russia friendly ties.
Japanese delegation leaves
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the Japan Red Cross led by Hiroshi Higashiura, director of its international department, left here for home on Tuesday after participating in talks between the DPRK and Japanese Red Cross organizations.
The delegation was seen off at the airport by officials concerned.
Hungarian Workers' Party delegation here
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Hungarian Workers' Party headed by its chairman Thurmer Gyula arrived here Tuesday.
The delegation was met by Pak Kyong Son, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, at the airport.
Greetings to Hungarian President
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Tuesday sent a message of greetings to President of Hungary Ferenc Madl on the occasion of its national day.
The message extended warm congratulations to the President and people of Hungary on the anniversary.
In the belief that the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries would grow stronger in conformity with mutual interests, it wished them greater success in their efforts for the prosperity of the country and its entry into the EU.
Kim Jong Il passes through Khasan, Russia
Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il passed through the border railway station of Khasan on Tuesday morning for a visit to the Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation.
He was greeted at the railway station by K.B. Pulikovski, plenipotentiary representative of the president of the Russian Federation to the Far East federal district: A.G. Karlov, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK: V. A. Tregubov: first deputy plenipotentiary representative of the president of the Russian Federation to the Far East federal district: S.A. Aristov, vice-minister of railway transport, S. M. Darikin, governor of the maritime territory: I.V. Ivanov, deputy governor of the maritime territory: G.P. Tarashenko, commander of the Far East border district: and other senior officials of the maritime territory and the army.
He exchanged greetings with the officials from national and local organs.
Russian women in beautiful national costumes presented him with bread and salt before saying words of welcome to him.
He had a cordial conversation with Russian officials in the reception room of the railway station.
He then left for the destination, seen off by the officials of the maritime territory.