Statement of DPRK Government on its withdrawal from NPT

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued a statement today as regards the grave situation where the national sovereignty and the supreme interests of the state are most seriously threatened by the U.S. vicious hostile policy toward the DPRK. The full text of the statement reads:
    A dangerous situation where our nation's sovereignty and our state's security are being seriously violated is prevailing on the Korean Peninsula due to the U.S. vicious hostile policy toward the DPRK.
    The United States instigated the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to adopt another "resolution" against the DPRK on January 6 in the wake of a similar "resolution" made on November 29, 2002.
    Under its manipulation, the IAEA in those "resolutions" termed the DPRK "a criminal" and demanded it scrap what the U.S. called a "nuclear program" at once by a verifiable way in disregard of the nature of the nuclear issue, a product of the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK, and its unique status in which it declared suspension of the effectuation of its withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
    Following the adoption of the latest "resolution", the IAEA director general issued an ultimatum that the agency would bring the matter to the un security council to apply sanctions against the DPRK unless it implements the "resolution" in a few weeks.
    This clearly proves that the IAEA still remains a servant and a spokesman for the U.S. and the NPT is being used as a tool for implementing the U.S. hostile policy towards the DPRK aimed to disarm it and destroy its system by force.
    A particular mention should be made of the fact that the IAEA in the recent "resolution" kept mum about the U.S. which has grossly violated the NPT and the DPRK-U.S. Agreed Framework, but urged the DPRK, the victim, to unconditionally accept the U.S. demand for disarmament and forfeit its right to self-defence, and the agency was praised by the U.S. for "saying all what the U.S. wanted to do." This glaringly reveals the falsehood and hypocrisy of the signboard of impartiality the IAEA put up.
    The DPRK Government vehemently rejects and denounces this "resolution" of the IAEA, considering it as a grave encroachment upon our country's sovereignty and the dignity of the nation.
    It is none other than the U.S. which wrecks peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and drives the situation there to an extremely dangerous phase.
    After the appearance of the Bush administration, the United States listed the DPRK as part of an "axis of evil", adopting it as a national policy to oppose its system, and singled it out as a target of preemptive nuclear attack, openly declaring a nuclear war.
    Systematically violating the DPRK-U.S. Agreed Framework, the U.S. brought up another "nuclear suspicion" and stopped the supply of heavy oil, reducing the AF to a dead document. It also answered the DPRK's sincere proposal for the conclusion of the DPRK-U.S. non-aggression treaty and its patient efforts for negotiations with such threats as "blockade" and "military punishment" and with such an arrogant attitude as blustering that it may talk but negotiations are impossible.
    The U.S. went so far to instigate the IAEA to internationalize its moves to stifle the DPRK, putting its declaration of a war into practice. This has eliminated the last possibility of solving the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful and fair way.
    It was due to such nuclear war moves of the U.S. against the DPRK and the partiality of the IAEA that the DPRK was compelled to declare its withdrawal from the NPT in march 1993 when a touch-and-go situation was created on the Korean Peninsula.
    As it has become clear once again that the U.S. persistently seeks to stifle the DPRK at any cost and the IAEA is used as a tool for executing the U.S. hostile policy towards the DPRK, we can no longer remain bound to the NPT, allowing the country's security and the dignity of our nation to be infringed upon.
    Under the grave situation where our state's supreme interests are most seriously threatened, the DPRK Government adopts the following decisions to protect the sovereignty of the country and the nation and their right to existence and dignity:
    Firstly, the DPRK Government declares an automatic and immediate effectuation of its withdrawal from the NPT, on which "it unilaterally announced a moratorium as long as it deemed necessary" according to the June 11, 1993, DPRK-U.S. joint statement, now that the U.S. has unilaterally abandoned its commitments to stop nuclear threat and renounce hostility towards the DPRK in line with the same statement.
    Secondly, it declares that the DPRK withdrawing from the NPT is totally free from the binding force of the safeguards accord with the IAEA under its article 3. The withdrawal from the NPT is a legitimate self-defensive measure taken against the U.S. moves to stifle the DPRK and the unreasonable behavior of the IAEA following the U.S.
    Though we pull out of the NPT, we have no intention to produce nuclear weapons and our nuclear activities at this stage will be confined only to peaceful purposes such as the production of electricity.
    If the U.S. drops its hostile policy to stifle the DPRK and stops its nuclear threat to the DPRK, the DPRK may prove through a separate verification between the DPRK and the U.S. that it does not make any nuclear weapon.
    The United States and the IAEA will never evade their responsibilities for compelling the DPRK to withdraw from the NPT, by ignoring the DPRK's last efforts to seek a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue through negotiations.

Rodong Sinmun on U.S. strategy for domination over DPRK

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- The U.S. warmongers should clearly know that the U.S. strategy for domination over the DPRK is a pipe-dream and immediately stop their reckless military pressure on the DPRK. Rodong Sinmun yesterday said this in a signed article, and went on:
    The people's army and people of Korea are heightening their vigilance against the reckless military and political moves of the U.S. warmongers according to the strategy and taking a combat posture.
    The U.S. attempt to stifle the DPRK, failing to see the might of their single-hearted unity, is a foolish act like kicking a rock with a bare foot.
    The U.S. "theory on strength-almighty", "weapon-almighty" does not go down with the DPRK. the DPRK's pluck is firm as it is fully prepared to counter the U.S. strategy of strength.
    The range and depth of the DPRK military strikes are inestimable. But only one is clear. It is nowhere the enemies find safety before the sphere of the DPRK strong strikes.
    Let us see who will win and who will be defeated in the fire-to-fire standoff.
    The U.S. imperialists will be defeated and the DPRK will be an honorable winner.
    If the United States fires a shot, we will fire ten and hundred shots.
    A new Korean war will finally lead to the third world war. If a war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula where military and strategic interests of neighboring big countries are entangled, they will be embroilled in it, like it or not.
    The United States will get nothing in the showdown with the DPRK, but defeat and ruin.

Russian Defence Minister on DPRK's nuclear problem

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov on Monday reportedly said that the DPRK's "nuclear programs" themselves do not necessarily mean nuclear weapons and nuclear power is vital to its existence in particular. The problem must be dealt with by diplomatic means only at present and it is premature to bring up this matter for discussion at the un security council, he said.
    He stressed that it is necessary to provide the DPRK with guarantees of security, otherwise, the situation could be unpredictable.

Strict implementation of army-based policy called for

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- Rallies were held in South Phyongan, South Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces on Jan. 8 and 9 to speed up the general onward movement for this year. The rallies called for embodying the Juche-based idea and line of giving top priority to the army in all domains this year, the 55th anniversary of the DPRK.
    It was stressed there that the singlehearted unity based on that idea should be made steel-strong and the idea and line should be cherished as a maxim of life and struggle and as an immovable truth.
    It was also emphasized that all the working people should effect a fresh surge in the economic construction under the banner of the great army-based policy and thus put into practice leader Kim Jong Il's grandiose plan for building a powerful and prosperous nation in all aspects.
    Meanwhile, employees of the ministry of railways met on January 8 to vow to work fresh miracles and innovation in railway transport, one of the main links in revitalizing the national economy.

Malaysia opposes efforts to isolate DPRK over nuclear issue

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar reportedly said Monday in reference to the DPRK's "nuclear crisis" that any approach such as efforts to isolate Pyongyang would not be right and would not work. So the best way is to be engaged in a very constructive way, he said, adding that the issue should be solved through negotiations and talks between the various parties involved.

South Korean students launch anti-U.S. hunger strike

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- A hunger strike group of youth and students for urging the anti-U.S. and anti-war struggle, the conclusion of a North-U.S. non-aggression treaty and the withdrawal of the U.S. troops who killed the schoolgirls reportedly went on a 20-day anti-U.S. hunger strike at the Myondong Cathedral in Seoul on Jan. 5. The group is headed by Yun Ki Jin, chairman of the south headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification, and Jong Song Gwon, chairman of the Emergency Measure Committee of the Natural Science College of Kookmin University.
    The group at a press conference on Jan. 6 said that the recently escalating North-U.S. confrontation is attributable to the U.S. nuclear war moves against the north. It declared that they launch the hunger strike in order to block the U.S. nuclear racket threatening the vital rights of the Korean nation through the anti-U.S. and anti-war campaign and strongly demand the conclusion of a North-U.S. non-aggression treaty.
    The group called upon all people, youth and students to join in this patriotic rank.
    It declared that it would organize a candle-light demonstration, youth cultural festival against the U.S., anti-U.S. and anti-war joint conference, propaganda activities, round-table talks with anti-U.S., reunification movement organizations, lecture, etc. during the hunger strike.
    Yun Han Thak, permanent co-representative of the solidarity for implementing the south-north joint declaration, encouraged their hunger strike and emphasized the importance of national cooperation, adding that the south and the north should keep pace with each other in such a difficult and urgent period as now.

Sanctuary for coots

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- Flocks of coots have gathered in the water area of the West Sea Barrage in Korea. Coot is a migratory bird that lives in areas north of the central part of Korea and flies away southward in winter.
    In recent years, however, they have built and settled in their nests in the water area of Wau and Pam islets on the lower River Taedong.
    They number several thousands.
    The two islets were designated as a sanctuary for coots in July last year.

Korean folk craftworks

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- Among the cultural heritages of Korea are folk craft products. Ancestors, with local materials, made and used various kinds of daily necessities and luxury goods suitable for their customs, feelings and taste.
    Nowadays folk crafts are made as local specialties in all parts of the country and some of them are exported to other countries.
    The products of craftwork fully show the creative wisdom and artistic talents of the Korean nation.
    They have a lot of kinds and varieties such as ceramic, straw, gemstone, metal, leather and fur goods.
    Their decorations are also different. Among them are patterns of ten animals and plants symbolic of happiness and longevity of human being.
    The Korean folk crafts are characterized by simple shape, delicate depiction and beautiful decoration.

Korean youths, vanguard of economic construction

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) --Young men and women of Korea have registered tremendous achievements in production and construction from the first day of the New Year, inspired by the new year joint editorial of the country's leading newspapers. Young people in the power, coal and metal industrial sectors and railway transport are effecting a great upsurge in their working sites, determined to fully demonstrate the dignity and might of the republic under the great army-based policy.
    Young workers of the Pyongyang Thermal Power Complex and the East Pyongyang Thermal Power Plant have increased the electricity and hot water production much more than in the same days of last month, while decreasing the heavy oil consumption as much as possible.
    Young coal miners throughout the country are working hard to top their daily quotas, overcoming difficulties.
    Such achievements have been made by young people in metal and light industrial sectors, railway transport, agricultural domain and the facelifting of the Yonggwang Street, Pyongyang.

Rodong Sinmun on U.S. blockade and sanctions

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- The people's army and people of Korea have long suffered from the blockade and sanctions of the U.S. imperialists and the international reactionaries, but they will not be surprised or daunted by any tougher blockade and sanctions. Rodong Sinmun says this today in a signed article.
    If the U.S.-led imperialists try to violate the sovereignty and the right to existence of the Koreans and stamp out their socialist system by means of blockade and sanctions, the people's army and people of Korea will take the toughest counter-measures against the U.S. imperialists and their followers, the paper notes, and goes on:
    The Bush administration has already declared "economic pressure" on the DPRK and urged the neighboring countries to decrease trade with it and check its "export of weapons".
    This clearly shows to the world once again the vulnerability of the U.S. imperialists, irritated and uneasy about the building of a powerful socialist nation in the DPRK. It is a foolish delusion for them to frighten the people's army and people of Korea with a sort of "sanctions".
    The army and people of Korea have a great history in which they have successfully pushed forward the revolution and construction despite the blockade of the U.S. imperialists and imperialist reactionaries since the republic was founded.
    The U.S. set up a "consultative group cooperation committee" in November 1949 and has enforced control over export of technology and trade control against the DPRK in military, electronic, aerial and maritime fields.
    The conditions of the country were very difficult in the period of the "arduous march and the forced march. The Korean people deeply grieved over the loss of the great father of the nation, coupled with natural disasters unprecedented in hundred years.
    The U.S.-led imperialists took this opportunity to intensify economic sanctions against the DPRK.
    But they did not work on the people's army and people of Korea at all.
    The U.S. should not misjudge the people's army and people of Korea, oblivious of the historic lessons.

Reception given for art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- A reception was given for the art troupe of Korean Schoolchildren in Japan at the Mansudae Art Theatre today under the care of leader Kim Jong Il. Present there were members of the art troupe led by Kim Jong Song.
    Also present there were Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Yu Ho, director of the bureau of reception for overseas compatriots, Choe Yong Gu, secretary of the Central Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, and officials concerned.
    Speeches were made there.
    A joint art performance was staged by schoolchildren in Pyongyang and members of the art troupe at the reception.

DPRK FM sends letter to UNSC president

     Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun mailed a letter to the president of the UN Security Council today as regards the DPRK's withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In the letter, Paek recalled that the DPRK Government declared on March 12, 1993, its withdrawal from the NPT and, through the DPRK-U.S. joint statement dated June 11, 1993, decided to "unilaterally suspend as long as it considers it necessary" the effectuation of the DPRK's withdrawal from the NPT one day before the coming into effect of its withdrawal.
    Informing that the DPRK Government decided on January 10, 2003 to revoke the suspension on the effectuation of its withdrawal from the NPT, he stated that the DPRK's withdrawal would be effectuated from January 11, 2003, the following day after the submission of this letter to the UNSC.

For Spanish-speaking people

la retirada de tratado de no proliferacion de armas nucleares es legitima medida autodefensiva

     pyongyang, 10 de enero (atcc) -- el gobierno de la republica popular democratica de corea, frente a la grave situacion en que la soberania de la nacion y los intereses supremos del estado se ven amenazados extremadamente por la siniestra politica de hostilidad de estados unidos a la rpdc, hizo publica hoy la siguiente declaracion: declaracion del gobierno de la rpdc.
    ahora en la peninsula coreana se ha creado una peligrosa situacion en que la soberania de nuestra nacion y la seguridad del estado se ven atentadas gravemente por la siniestra politica de hostilidad de ee.uu. a la rpdc.
    ee.uu. volvio a instigar al organismo internacional de energia atomica (oiea) a aprobar tambien el 6 de enero una "resolucion" contra la rpdc, como lo habia hecho el 29 de noviembre de 2002.
    el oiea, bajo la manipulacion de ee.uu., en las "resoluciones", ignoro la esencia del problema nuclear que es producto de la politica de hostilidad de ee.uu. a la rpdc y la posicion especial de esta que suspendio provisionalmente la validez de su retirada del tratado de no proliferacion de armas nucleares y, tratandola como "delincuente", la forzo a renunciar de inmediato el supuesto "plan nuclear" por el metodo posible de verificacion.
    seguidamente, el director general del oiea dirigio un ultimatum segun el cual de no ejecutarla dentro de ciertas semanas la rpdc, lo va a someter a la consideracion del consejo de seguridad de la onu para ejercer sancion sobre ella.
    esto demuestra claramente que el oiea sigue sirviendo de ejecutor y portavoz a ee.uu. y el tratado de no proliferacion de armas nucleares se utiliza como un aparato de la politica hostil de ee.uu. de desarmar por la fuerza a la rpdc y destruir el regimen de esta.
    en particular, el oiea, en la presente "resolucion", no dijo ni una sola palabra sobre ee.uu. que violo flagrantemente el tratado de no proliferacion de armas nucleares y el acuerdo basico concertado con la rpdc e impuso a esta danada a aceptar incondicionalmente la demanda de ee.uu. sobre el desarme y a renunciar el derecho a defenderse y asi, de ee.uu. recibio una estimacion de que "el oiea dijo todo lo que queria decir ee.uu.". esto demuestra patentemente cuan falso e hipocrita es el rotulo de la imparcialidad que portaba este organismo.
    el gobierno de la rpdc denuncia y rechaza categoricamente la presente "resolucion" del oiea calificandola de grave atentado a la soberania de nuestro pais y la dignidad de la nacion.
    ee.uu. es justamente el fautor que hoy perturba la paz y la seguridad en la peninsula coreana y lleva la situacion a la extrema fase.
    despues de la aparicion de la administracion bush ee.uu. califico la rpdc como "eje del mal" proclamando asi como politica estatal su negacion a nuestro regimen y la definio como objeto de ataque nuclear anticipado declarando asi abiertamente la guerra nuclear contra ella.
    ee.uu., al cabo de violar sistematicamente dicho acuerdo basico, suspendio el ofrecimiento del aceite pesado a la rpdc al fraguar una nueva "sospecha nuclear" y de este modo violo flagrantemente el referido acuerdo y respondio con la amenaza del "bloqueo" y del "merecido castigo mi

ministro de defensa de rusia se refiere a energia nuclear de corea

     pyongyang, 10 de enero (atcc) -- segun una informacion, el dia 6, el ministro de defensa de rusia, serguei ivanov, senalo que deben considerar que el mismo "plan nuclear" de corea todavia no es el arma nuclear, en particular en la condicion de la republica popular democratica de corea la energia nuclear constituye un problema de existencia. apunto que hoy en dia el problema de la rpdc debe ser solucionado solamente por el metodo diplomatico, y es prematuro someterlo al consejo de seguridad de las naciones unidas.
    recalco que se necesita la garantia de seguridad para la rpdc: en caso contrario, la situacion podra desarrollarse imprevisiblemente.