DPRK has rosy future

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Papers here today dedicate editorials to the 54th anniversary of the DPRK. Rodong Sinmun in an editorial says the DPRK is a promising country as it has a bright future in the 21st century under the revolutionary banner of the army-based policy provided by Kim Jong Il, the brilliant commander of Mt. Paektu.
    It continues:
    The guiding idea of the DPRK is the Juche idea founded by President Kim Il Sung and its state charter is the Kim Il Sung constitution in which his idea of state-building and feats are consummated.
    During the "arduous march" Kim Jong Il strengthened the position and authority of the National Defence Commission in the state structure of the DPRK and pursued the unique army-based political mode. Far-reaching is his plan to build the country into a prosperous and powerful nation in the near future and his determination is steadfast.
    We should see all the issues from a new stand and on a new height and improve the work to meet the requirements for the building of a powerful nation and swim with the trend of the development in the 21st century.
    The DPRK will in the future, too, consistently abide by the three charters of national reunification and implement the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration to the letter, thus reunifying the country by the Korean nation itself without fail.
    We will externally adhere to the independent stand and strive to check and frustrate the imperialists' moves for aggression and war and defend peace in the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the world. We will also expand and develop good-neighborly and friendly relations with all countries that respect the DPRK's sovereignty.

Congratulatory message to Kim Jong Il from V. Putin

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, received a congratulatory message from Russian President V. Putin on Sept. 9 on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the DPRK. The message says:
    I extend most sincere and warm congratulations to you on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the DPRK.
    I am convinced that your recent visit to the Far Eastern region of Russia and successful talks between you and me will contribute to further strengthening the traditional friendly ties between the two countries and expanding in depth the mutual constructive cooperation in the spirit of the treaty of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation.
    I wish you and all the Korean people happiness and prosperity.

Congratulatory message from Chinese leaders

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il, Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and Hong Song Nam, premier of the cabinet, received a congratulatory message from Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the C.C., the Communist Party of China, President of the People's Republic of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC, Li Peng, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the PRC, and Zhu Rongji, premier of the state council of the PRC, on Sept. 8 on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the DPRK. The foundation of the DPRK 54 years ago opened a new page in the history of the Korean people as it enabled them to build a new socialist state as the masters of the country, the message said.
    The Korean people have since achieved great successes in the socialist revolution and construction in the spirit of self-reliance and fortitude under the leadership of President Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and the Workers' Party of Korea, it noted, and continued:
    They, firmly united around the WPK led by Kim Jong Il, have gained remarkable successes in economic construction, foreign affairs and the work for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country and made an important contribution to defending the regional peace and stability.
    We are sincerely rejoiced over this and hope the Korean people will continue to register new successes in various works in the future.
    China and Korea are friendly neighbors linked by the same mountain and river.
    In recent years, the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK has been steadily consolidated and developed by the efforts of both sides.
    It is the unshakable policy of the Chinese party and government to further strengthen the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in various domains under the new situation.
    The Chinese side will, together with the Korean side, develop the great China-Korea friendship generation after generation in the spirit of carrying forward the tradition, looking into the future, maintaining the good neighborliness and friendship and strengthening cooperation.

Congratulatory message to Kim Jong Il from NDFSK CC

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory message from the central committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) today on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the DPRK. The message noted that President Kim Il Sung's founding of the DPRK meant the birth of great Korea of Juche and marked a historic event of special mention which successfully realized the century-old desire of the Korean nation to see the appearance of a genuine state in which the masses of the people are masters.
    Recalling that the president's Juche-oriented cause of nation-building is being steadfastly carried forward by Kim Jong Il, the message said that he shaped all-powerful army-based policy and has pursued it as a basic political mode of the DPRK, decisively frustrating the imperialist reactionaries' moves to isolate and stifle it.
    It also pointed out that he provided the June 15 joint declaration and has injected fresh energy into inter-Korean dialogue, contact, exchange and cooperation in various fields and created a more favorable international environment for national reunification.
    We will take the slogan for independent reunification "Let us reunify the country by our nation itself" as a milestone of national independence and dignity and a master key to national reunification and wage a more vigorous struggle for independence and reunification against the u.s. under the banner of the June 15 joint declaration and thus reunify the country without fail, it stressed.

Nat'l contest among members of hobby groups of schoolchildren's palaces

Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- A national contest among members of scientific and technological hobby groups of schoolchildren's palaces or halls was held at the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Palace. The contest brought together over 600 members selected from schoolchildren's palaces or halls in Pyongyang and all provinces, cities and counties. It involved mathematical, physical, chemical, computer, car and truck hobby groups.
Its participants fully displayed their skills, wisdom and techniques that they have cultivated under the loving care of Kim Jong Il, a clear proof that all of them are growing up to be scientists and technicians who would carve out the future of a powerful nation.

Greetings to Tajik President

Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov on Sept. 6 on the occasion of the Independence Day of Tajikistan. Expressing belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms, the message wished the president and people of Tajikistan great success in their work for the prosperity of the country.

Congratulatory message to Kim Jong Il from CSC of Chongryon

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory message from the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) on Monday on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The message said that the hearts of the compatriots in Japan are replete with self-confidence and national pride of being overseas citizens of the DPRK when looking up to the homeland standing in the center of the world politics of the 21st century, displaying its might to the maximum as it has Kim Il Sung as eternal president and holds Kim Jong Il in high esteem.
    The message noted:
    The people in the homeland have enjoyed an independent and creative life and the country demonstrated its dignity and invincible might to the world and the status of the compatriots in Japan has been changed into that of the proud citizens of an independent and sovereign state from that of the stateless nation.
    All this has been possible thanks to the DPRK, the country of Juche, founded on September 9, Juche 37 (1948).
    It pointed out that under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, the lodestar of reunification, significant occasions have been provided for reunification and unity despite the difficulties created by the anti-reunification forces in the relations between the north and south and the desire of the whole nation to open the door of reunification by its concerted efforts and its movement for reunification are daily mounting thanks to the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
    Firmly convinced that there will be eternal prosperity of reunified powerful Korea and genuine future happiness of the compatriots in Japan and the generations to come only when we follow you with loyalty, we will dynamically advance along the sacred patriotic road, holding high the banner of the DPRK, the motherland, it concluded.

DPRK anniversary commemorated in China

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- A meeting was sponsored by the General Association of Koreans in China in Shenyang, China, on Sept. 6 to celebrate the 54th anniversary of the DPRK. Present there were Mun Yong Gun, consul general of the DPRK in Shenyang, officials of the association and Koreans in China.
    Choe Chong San, vice-chairman of the association, in a report highly praised Kim Jong Il who, steadfastly carrying forward the immortal exploits and revolutionary cause of President Kim Il Sung who founded the DPRK and glorified it, has turned the country into a people-centered powerful socialist country of Korean style by providing the army-based revolutionary leadership.
    He evinced the pledge of the Koreans in China to actively join in the struggle to reunify Korea and build a powerful nation, absolutely believing in and following Kim Jong Il.
    A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.

Economic and commercial councilors' corps visits various places

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- The economic and commercial councilors' corps here visited the Ryongpho Revolutionary Site and Ullim falls on Sunday on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the DPRK. Being briefed on the immortal revolutionary exploits President Kim Il Sung performed by leading the Fatherland Liberation War to victory, the guests looked round historic relics.
    Sergei Lyoushkin, commercial councilor of the Russian embassy who is doyen of the corps, wrote in the visitors' book that their visit to the site offered them an opportunity to know well how Kim Il Sung led the Korean people's just war to victory.
    The guests had a pleasant time, seeing the scenic beauty of the falls which have been well arranged as a resort for the people.
    Evelio Duenas Ponce, commercial councilor of the Cuban embassy, said that Kim Jong Il has made indefatigable efforts to provide the people with a better life.
    The economic and commercial councilor of the Chinese embassy expressed the will to make positive efforts for China-DPRK relations growing stronger thanks to Kim Jong Il and Jiang Zemin.

Art performances given on 54th anniversary of DPRK

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Art performances were given at theatres here on Sunday on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the DPRK. Appreciating the performances were senior officials of the party, state and army, chairmen of friendly parties, officials of the party and power bodies and working people's organizations, those in the fields of science, education, culture and art, public health and the press, generals and officers of the Korean People's Army and working people in the city. Also seeing the performances were overseas Koreans on a visit to the socialist homeland to mark the anniversary.
    Present on invitation there were foreign diplomatic envoys here and foreigners.
    The revolutionary drama "under the banner of victory" was staged at the Pyongyang Theatre by artistes of the state theatrical company.
    The drama vividly represented the immortal revolutionary history of President Kim Il Sung who led the fatherland liberation war to victory and his feats and noble popular personality.
    Performances were given at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre and the Pyongyang Grand Theatre by members of art groups who had participated in the national content of art groups of rural villages and workers' districts.
    The performers put on the stage colorful numbers which help audiences recollect with deep emotion the proud history of the DPRK.
    A circus performance was also given at the Pyongyang Circus Theatre by acrobats of the Pyongyang Circus.

Signal successes in sports

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- DPRK athletes have registered signal successes in international games. In August alone, over 20 gold medals and many other medals were bagged at the 14th Asian Track and Field Championships, the 2nd Asian Aage Group Swimming Championships, the 11th East Asia Junior Table-Tennis Championships and several other international games.
    Korean pro-boxer in Japan Hong Chang Su defeated Mexican challenger at the super flyweight category of the WBC held in Saitama city, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, on August 26, thus retaining his title for the 5th time.
    This year, DPRK players carried off nearly 130 golds in many international games including the 33rd Thai King's Cup Football Tournament, the 7th Qatar International Open Table-Tennis Championships, the International Women Football Tournament for Albena Cup, the 1st Asian All-Star Weightlifting Tournament, the 2nd Asian Taekwon-do Championships, and the match to be qualified for the world ice hockey championships (category b).
    The Korean athletes are under intensive training to demonstrate the country's dignity and honor in all events.

Kim Il Sung's immortal exploits lauded

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung created a new type of people's government reflecting the changed historical times and the requirements of the revolutionary development and explored a new road of building a socialist government. It was the outstanding exploits the president performed in the cause of building the government. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    The president opened a new history of building a genuine people's government on the basis of his boundless love and trust in the people, guided by the Juche idea.
    He always solved all the problems arising in building the government and its activity, always placing the Korean revolution and the destiny of the Korean nation in the center of everything, not wedded to the existing theories and practice, and firmly maintained independence in the building of government and its activities, decisively rejecting all sorts of interference and pressure of foreign forces.
    Under his wise leadership, the people's government in the DPRK is well known to the world as a genuine independent government as it independently shapes and pursues all the lines and policies to meet its interests and fully exercises its sovereignty in foreign relations.
    An independent line the president consistently followed has been firmly maintained in the state activity under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il. Our party and people's government are firmly defending Korean-style socialism chosen by our people themselves and giving full play to its advantages no matter what others may say and which way the wind may blow.
    Under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il, the state structure is growing stronger on the principle of the army-centered policy and the activities of government organs at all levels are orientated to implementing this policy of the party to the letter.

Choe Thae Bok meets Lao delegation

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, met and conversed with the delegation of the Lao federation of trade unions headed by its vice-chairman Bosaykham Vongdara at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Present there was Ri Jin Su, vice-chairman of the c.c., the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea.
    On the occasion the head of the delegation said that during the visit he was deeply moved to see successes made by the DPRK in socialist construction. He noted that he would make positive efforts for the development of the friendly relations between the two countries.
    He wished the Korean people greater success in their struggle for the building of a powerful socialist nation and the peaceful reunification of the country under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.

Homage paid to Kim Il Sung

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Senior officials of the party, the state and the army visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace today to pay homage to President Kim Il Sung on the occasion of the 54th birthday of the DPRK. Seen on both sides of the statue of the president at the palace were flags of the Workers' Party of Korea, the DPRK and the Korean People's Army. A guard of honour of the KPA three services lined up looking up to the statue.
    Amid the playing of the immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Il Sung", a floral basket was placed before the statue in a joint name of the WPK Central Committee, the WPK Central Military Commission, the DPRK National Defence Commission, the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and the cabinet of the DPRK. Written on the ribbons of the floral basket were letters "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung Is Immortal."
    The senior officials paid profound respect to the statue.
    When they entered into the hall where the president lies in state for perpetuity, the visitors made deep bows to him.
    Then they looked round orders and medals he received, his portrait with sunny smile on his face and bronze relievos in the mourning hall, a train he used during his on-the-spot guidance and foreign tour and a car he used in the last period of his life.
    Meanwhile the memorial palace was visited by the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters, former unconverted long-term prisoners who are known as pro-reunification patriotic fighters, officials of institutions at all levels, servicemen, people from all walks of life and the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea.
    It was also visited by delegations and home-visiting groups of overseas compatriots, including groups of Koreans in Japan and the General Association of Koreans in China to celebrate the 54th anniversary of the DPRK and the diplomatic corps and the military attaches corps here.

Wreaths laid at martyrs' cemeteries and monument to victory in war

    Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Senior officials of the party, the state and the army, servicepersons of the Korean People's Army and working people laid wreaths at the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery on Mt. Taesong and the Patriotic Martyrs' Cemetery and floral baskets at the monument to victory in the Fatherland Liberation War on Monday, the 54th anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Seen at the wreath-laying stands of the cemeteries were wreaths sent by Kim Jong Il. Amid the wreath-laying music, wreaths were laid at the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery on Mt. Taesong in the names of the WPK Central Committee, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the DPRK cabinet.
    Also placed there were wreaths in the names of the ministry of the People's Armed Forces, ministries, national institutions, units of the KPA, institutions of science, education, culture and art, public health and the press, party and power organs, working people's organizations, enterprises and farms in Pyongyang.
    The participants observed a moment's silence in memory of the revolutionary martyrs who devoted their whole lives to the liberation of the country, freedom and happiness of the people, the completion of the socialist cause and national reunification with intense loyalty to the party and the leader and the boundless devotion for the revolutionary cause.
    Meanwhile, wreaths were also laid at the Patriotic Martyrs' Cemetery in the joint name of the WPK Central Committee, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the DPRK cabinet.
    Placed at the monument to victory in the Fatherland Liberation War was a floral basket in the joint name of the WPK Central Committee and the WPK Central Military Commission.
    Present at the ceremonies of laying wreaths and floral baskets were senior officials of the party, the state and the army including Kim Yong Nam, Hong Song Nam, Kim Il Chol and Jon Pyong Ho.