Suppression of hospital unions condemned
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- The (South) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has strongly protested against the commitment of riot police to the sit-in strike place of hospital unionists, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.
On Sept. 11 it held an emergency meeting of its central executive committee and then called a press conference urging the release of the arrested unionists and punishment of those responsible for the suppression.
It declared that it would sponsor a large-scale rally and demonstration and if the "government" authorities fail to meet the strikers' demand, it would start a general strike.
An estimated 1,200 members of the KCTU including the union of health workers met in front of the Grand National Party building in Youido, Seoul, on Sept. 12 and denounced the "government's" crackdown on the hospital sit-in strike as an act of transgressing the principles of labor-management negotiations and declaring a total war against the labor camp.
Earlier, they had a rally at Myongdong Cathedral in protest against the police crackdown.
The federation of health sector trade unions also released a statement on Sept. 11 denouncing the merciless crackdown.
Ri Hoe Chang's jargon assailed
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- Ringleader of anti-peace and anti-reunification forces Ri Hoe Chang mentioned the issue of "a return visit to Seoul" at a press conference on Sept. 12.
In this regard Rodong Sinmun today runs a signed commentary terming it a reckless remark to seriously hurt the self-respect of the DPRK and impair its dignity.
The commentary continues:
Ri Hoe Chang has opposed the Pyongyang summit meeting welcomed and supported by the Korean nation as well as the whole world and rebelled against the June 15 joint declaration.
It seems that he became over-sensitive in excess of uneasiness over the favorable atmosphere of inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation and reunification. His remarks prove that his over-sensitiveness has gone beyond the limit in light of its motive and purport.
He is, certainly, a political infant and a short-sighted man.
It is too late for him to share in the benefit of the joint declaration and his crime is too serious.
If he is concerned about national reconciliation and unity he should apologize to the nation and history for his past crimes.
The Korean nation will keep his crimes.
Reception at DPRK embassy in Cuba
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- A reception was given at the DPRK embassy in Cuba on Sept. 10 on the occasion of the 76th birthday of Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the council of state and President of the council of ministers of the Republic of Cuba.
The first deputy foreign minister of Cuba in a speech expressed thanks for giving a splendid reception in celebration of the birthday of Fidel Castro Ruz, adding that it reflects favourable ties between the two countries.
The two countries are in the same trench for socialist construction and against the u.s. imperialists, he noted, and continued:
The relations between the two countries established and developed by President Kim Il Sung and Fidel Castro Ruz are now developing under the special concern of Kim Jong Il and Fidel Castro Ruz.
Although our two countries are geographically far away from each other, they are struggling in the same spirit.
Despite the complicated situation and the economic difficulties we will always emerge victorious as we are led by the outstanding leaders.
The U.S. imperialists dare not challenge our two countries because they are fully ready in political and military aspects.
We should unite in the future, too, to humble the pride of the U.S. imperialists.
DPRK anniversary celebrated abroad
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- Korean book and photo exhibitions and film shows were held in Lebanon, France, Libya, Laos, and Indonesia from September 2 to 9 to celebrate the 54th anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Displayed at the exhibitions were famous works of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and photos introducing the DPRK.
Screened at the film shows were "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Visits The Far Eastern Region Of The Russian Federation," "invincible Korean People's Army" and other Korean films.
PRP case proved to be fabrication
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- The committee for probe into truth behind suspected deaths declared on Sept. 12 that the case of the People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) in 1974 was fabricated by the then Central Intelligence Agency of South Korea, Seoul-based Radio No. 1 reported.
The South Korean CIA arrested 1,024 members of the PRP and executed eight of them on the unreasonable charge that the PRP, on the "order of north Korea," manipulated the national federation of youth and students for democracy to overthrow the "government."
The committee said it was proved by the investigation records and testimonies of those concerned that the CIA described the case as a pro-communist case by faking up evidences through tortures and inventing testimonies of suspects and trial-related documents.
Families of the deceased are demanding re-examination of the case on the basis of the committee's declaration.
Greetings to Mexican foreign minister
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- DPRK foreign minister Paek Nam Sun sent a message of greetings to his Mexican counterpart Jorge Herman Castaneda on the occasion of the 192nd anniversary of independence of Mexico.
Noting that he rejoices over the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, Paek Nam Sun sincerely wished him success in his work.
6th inter-Korean military working-level talks held
Panmunjom, September 15 (KCNA) -- The 6th inter-Korean military working-level talks were held in the portion south of Panmunjom between Saturday and Sunday to discuss putting east and west coastal areas under the north and the south sides' control and providing a military guarantee for the project of reconnecting rail and road links between the two sides.
At the talks the north side was represented by senior colonel Yu Yong Chol of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces and the south side by brig. General Kim Kyong Dok of the Ministry of Defence.
Referring to the recommendation made by the north side's delegation to the inter-Korean ministerial talks and the committee for the promotion of inter-Korean economic cooperation to provide a military guarantee for the project, Yu Yong Chol said:
The U.S. Forces' side delayed the adoption of an appendix to the armistice agreement, which had to be done before the current talks, even one week, badly affecting the preparations for ground-breaking ceremony of the project agreed upon between the two sides of Korea.
It is fortunate that the inter-Korean military talks have been resumed though there were the U.S. moves going against the north side's will, he noted.
Then, he proposed to draft a package agreement on the two projects of reconnecting rail and road links on the east coastal area and rail and road links between Sinuiju and Seoul, not a separate agreement on each project, and to have it signed and effectuated in the shortest possible period.
At the talks both sides had an indepth discussion of the issues related to providing a military guarantee for the projects, and an identity of views was reached on the matters discussed.
The two sides agreed to have their defence ministers sign an "agreement on fixing zones on the east and west coastal areas to be put under the control of the north and the south sides and providing a military guarantee for the project of reconnecting rail and road links between the two sides" and then exchange copies of the agreement with signature between September 16 and 17.
Greetings to Mexican President
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Friday sent a message of greetings to Vicente Fox Quesada, President of Mexico, on the occasion of the 192nd anniversary of its independence.
The message extended warm congratulations to the president and, through him, to the government and the people of Mexico on the day of independence.
Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations favorably developing between the two countries would grow stronger on the principles of respect for sovereignty, peace and mutual benefit, it wished the president success in his responsible work for national unity and development.
Clash between ships in Korean East Sea
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- The DPRK cargo ship "Unbong" (grt 8,874 tons) loaded with zinc ore (13,264 tons) which was heading for Kim Chaek port, accidentally clashed with large trawler "Mandoksan" (grt 3,750 tons) in latitude 40 30' 58" north and in longitude 129 29' 50" east in the Korean East Sea (sea off Kim Chaek) at 5:10 a.m. on Sept. 13.
"Mandoksan" sank right after the clash and "Unbong" 80 minutes after.
The accident is now under investigation.
All the crewmen were rescued by a relief boat.