Kim Jong Il appreciates friendship concert
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il appreciated a friendship concert the NDC hosted at the Mansudae Art Theatre on Wednesday evening in congratulation of his successful Russia visit.
The concert was performed by artistes of the KPA Merited Choir and famous conductor prof. Stanislav Semyonovich Kalinin, dean of the faculty of conducting of the Moscow State Conservatory named after Tschaikovsky.
Also seeing it were Jo Myong Rok, first vice-chairman of the NDC and director of the KPA general political department, Kim Il Chol, vice-chairman of the NDC and minister of the People's Armed Forces, and commanding officers of the KPA, secretaries Kim Kuk Thae, Jong Ha Chol, Kim Jung Rin, Kim Ki Nam and Kim Yong Sun and other senior officials of the WPK Central Committee, leading officials of diplomatic, cultural and art and media institutions, servicemen and artistes.
Ambassador Andrei Gennadievich Karlov and staff members of the Russian embassy here were present on invitation.
The repertoire of the concert, which began with chorus "Song of General Kim Jong Il" conducted by Kalinin, included choruses "General is Great Guardian" and "General on Galloping White Horse" and Russian songs "Vast Land of Siberia", "Just War" and "Our Friendship will be Everlasting".
At the end of the performance, Kim Jong Il congratulated the artistes on their successful performance.
After the concert he met with the Russian Ambassador and Kalinin who sincerely took part in preparing the concert.
The guests heartily congratulated him on his recent successful Russia visit.
Kim Jong Il once again expressed deep thanks to President V.V. Putin and people of Russia for the cordial hospitality accorded to him during the visit and recalled the unforgettable days of his visit to the Far Eastern region with deep emotion. And he conversed with the guests in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.
Anniversary of repatriation of former prisoners marked in S. Korea
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- A meeting was reportedly held in Seoul on Monday to mark the second anniversary of the repatriation of former unconverted long-term prisoners and demand the repatriation of other unconverted long-term prisoners. Attending the meeting were unconverted long-term prisoners and representatives of the "national alliance for democracy and reunification," the society for supporting prisoners of conscience and other public organizations in south Korea.
The participants recalled the thrilling event in which 63 unconverted long-term prisoners were repatriated to the north all at once two years ago.
Kwon O Hon, representative of the committee for the promotion of unconverted long-term prisoners' repatriation, noted that the committee for probe into the truth behind suspected deaths disclosed on August 29 that a large number of prisoners of that category were killed by violence during the operation to force ideological conversion upon them in the 1970s.
Ro Jin Min, executive chairman of the promotion committee, said it was quite natural for the government authorities to promptly accept the demand for repatriation of Jong Sun Thaek, Jong Sun Dok and other former prisoners who had been excluded from it at that time, and send them back to the north unconditionally at an early date.
Third Pyongyang Flower Show opens
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- The third Pyongyang Flower Show was opened on the occasion of the 10th publication anniversary of Kim Jong Il's work "Let Us Improve And Strengthen The City Management To Meet the Requirements Of The Developing Realities" and the 54th birthday of the DPRK.
Presented to the show are over 6,100 peculiar exhibits of 500 odd species including wild flowers growing in different parts of the country, potted plants and miniature gardens. Among them are immortal Kimilsungias and Kimjongilias and other beautiful flowers cultivated by officials, working people and flower fans at Pyongyang city and provincial people's committees, organs and industrial establishments.
The opening ceremony took place at the Pyongyang Flower Shop on Wednesday.
Addressing the ceremony, Choe Jong Gon, minister of city management, said that Kim Jong Il indicated the orientation and ways for greening city. Under his meticulous care the Pyongyang Flower Show has been held every year with a large attendance to effect a turn in the cultivation and production of flower plants, the speaker added.
The third show, he said, will not be a mere flower exhibition but be a significant festival which shows the Korean people's will to build a powerful socialist nation on this land and fully demonstrate the dignity of the nation.
Present at the ceremony were secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee Han Song Ryong, vice-premier of the cabinet Jo Chang Dok and officials concerned.
Foreign state leaders on relations with DPRK
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- The presidents of Indonesia, Benin and Mongolia attending the world summit on sustained development on Monday met with the DPRK delegation led by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly.
Megawati Soekarnoputri once again expressed thanks to Kim Jong Il for having dispatched the high-ranking delegation to her country and wished the Korean people great success in the efforts to reunify Korea and build a powerful and prosperous nation.
Mathieu Kerekou said that President Kim Il Sung was a close friend who gave disinterested help to the Beninese people in various fields. We are very happy that the friendly and fraternal relationship between the two countries provided by him continues to develop on good terms under the deep care of Kim Jong Il, supreme leader of Korea, he added.
Attributing steadfast progress of Korean socialism to his wise army-based revolutionary leadership, Kerekou declared that Benin would remain an eternal friend of the DPRK.
Natsagiin Bagabandi expressed his will to further develop the relations with the DPRK on the basis of the agreement signed by the two countries.
Meanwhile, the head of the DPRK delegation met with the vice-prime ministers of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Namibian party leader favors army-based policy of DPRK
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- We are rejoiced over the fact that the Korean people are speeding up the building of a powerful nation while meeting all challenges of the imperialist forces, upholding the army-based policy under the guidance of the Workers' Party of Korea headed by Kim Jong Il.
Hifikepunye Pohamba, general secretary of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) of Namibia, said this on August 20 when meeting the WPK delegation led by DPRK Ambassador to Namibia Ro Min Su, which attended the third congress of the SWAPO.
The SWAPO has long established the good relations with the WPK, he noted, saying that a large number of its members including President Sam Nujoma and him visited the DPRK to be taught by President Kim Il Sung.
The SWAPO and the Namibian people will invariably support the WPK and the Korean people in the efforts for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country, he declared.
Banquet given for participants in Pyongyang Film Festival
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- The organizing committee of the 8th Pyongyang Film Festival of Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries and the Pyongyang City People's Committee hosted a banquet at Okryu Restaurant on Wednesday evening in honor of the participants in the festival.
Present on invitation were delegations and delegates of different countries to the festival, guests of honor and a delegation of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.
Also present were minister of culture Kang Nung Su, who is the chairman of the organizing committee, Ryang Man Gil, chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, Jo Chan Gu, vice-chairman of the festival organizing committee, other officials concerned and artistes.
A speech was made there.
Paektu plateau
Hyesan, September 5 (KCNA) -- The Paektu plateau comprises the areas of Mt Paektu and Samjiyon, Taehongdan, Pochon, Unhung and Paekam counties.
It is well known at home and abroad as it has revolutionary battle sites and historic sites associated with the immortal exploits performed by the three commanders of Mt. Paektu.
The plateau is called the roof of Korea because its average height is 1,370 m.
The plateau made its appearance as a result of a volcano on Mt. Paektu.
Covered with subarctic forests of needle-leaf trees, the plateau abounds in forest resources and is the nation's major timber producer.
On the plateau there is the Paektu Samcholli plain famous for potato production.
A signal turn is being effected in potato production under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.
Anniversary of "Theses On Socialist Education" observed
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung published a famous work "Theses On Socialist Education" on September 5, Juche 66 (1977). This is an immortal great programme of education clearly indicating the way for socialist education to follow and a precious result of the efforts made by him for the education of young generations all his life.
Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the theses.
The article goes on:
The theses clarifies all issues arising in it including the aims and mission of socialist education, fundamental principle of pedagogy, principles to be maintained in socialist education, contents and methods of education, the duties and role of educational institutions under the socialist educational system of the DPRK, party guidance to education and state support and social assistance to education.
There have been many statesmen in the world. But history knows no such a leader as the president who devoted himself to the educational work, regarding it as a crucial work for the development of the country and future of the nation, and laid an eternal foundation for steadily developing the country's education.
His immortal exploits performed for the development of Juche-based education are being preserved and successfully inherited by Kim Jong Il.
He has energetically guided the work to improve the contents and methods of education and conditions for it and update educational facilities in keeping with the trend of the world, looking far into the new century even in the difficult period of the "arduous march" and the forced march.
The education in the DPRK will make further progress in the new century thanks to Kim Jong Il who has dynamically steered the education to fulfil his noble responsibility for the future of the nation and people and the mission he has assumed before them.
Holiday resort on east coast of Korea
Hamhung, September 5 (KCNA) -- The Majon seaside resort in Hungnam city, South Hamgyong Province, is now crowded with holiday-makers.
The resort boasts a forest of pine trees and a beach extending more than 4km. Standing there are rest homes of diverse architectural style that match the beautiful landscape of its surroundings. A road stretches between pine trees and various flower shrubs.
A swimming beach, a boating place, an angling site and sports and amusement facilities along the shore attract tourists. All catering facilities are available there.
Here the holiday-makers can find their time most enjoyable with swimming and games.
The resort is visited by thousands of workers and people of other strata every day from late June to early September.
There is a special train service for holiday-makers in this period.
There are also tourist centers for workers, farmers and foreigners in the resort.
North side's football team arrives in Seoul
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- The north side's football team led by Ri Kwang Gun, chairman of the Korean Football Association, arrived in Seoul today to participate in the 2002 inter-Korean football match for reunification to be held in Seoul.
It was warmly greeted at the airport with compatriotic feelings by president of the "Union for the Future of Korea" Pak Kun Hye, sports officials concerned and football players of the south side and Seoul citizens.
At a welcome ceremony held there, Pak Kun Hye said she heartily welcomed the visit of the north side's team, hoping it would mark an occasion of opening a new chapter in the south-north relations and provide the two sides with an opportunity to share mind and have hope.
Ri Kwang Gun said that the north side's team arrived in Seoul, carrying with it the warm compatriotic feelings of the sportspersons and people in the north towards sportspersons and other fellow countrymen in the south. he expressed belief that sportspersons in the north and the south would successfully hold the game, the first of its kind in the new century, joining their mind and will, and thus bring fresh joy and hope to the fellow countrymen.
Pak Kun Hye hosted a reception in honor of the north side's team this evening.
Congratulatory letter to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- The economic and commercial councillors' corps here sent a congratulatory letter to Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the 54th birthday of the DPRK.
The letter was handed to an official concerned by Sergei Lyoushkin, commercial councillor of the Russian embassy, who is the doyen of the corps on Thursday.
Gift to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the China-Korea Friendship Hongxing Farm.
The gift was handed to an official concerned by Guan Jianguo, manager of the farm, on a visit to the DPRK.