DPRK to react to unreasonable "countermeasure" with toughest stance

     Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- U.S. Secretary of State Powell said that the nuclear issue of the DPRK should be brought to the UNSC and "concrete countermeasures including economic sanctions would be seriously considered." This fully represented the hostile intention of the Bush administration to shift the responsibility for the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, which was authored and has been hyped by it, and the resultant serious developments on to the DPRK and use the un platform as was the case with the IAEA for internationalizing its campaign to pressurize, isolate and stifle the DPRK.
    The U.S. is entirely to blame for the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. This issue was unreasonably put on the U.N. agenda to be discussed there in the past as the U.S. instigated the IAEA to create artificial difficulties and complexity in the way of settling the issue.
    But the crisis over the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula in 1993 was settled through negotiations between the DPRK and the U.S., not by the UN. This historical fact proves that the issue can be settled only through equal and fair dialogue and negotiations between the DPRK and the U.S., not by any third party's unjust intervention.
    If the United Nations wants to show its principled stand and attitude to settle the issue with a fair concern for it, it should call into question the U.S. unreasonable DPRK policy that compelled it to take a self-defensive step to withdraw from the NPT.
    The U.S. abandoned its commitments to fully normalize the political and economic relations with the DPRK, provide light water reactors to the latter and supply heavy oil to it, thus unilaterally and totally ditching the DPRK-U.S. Agreed Framework and causing an acute shortage of electricity to the DPRK. It also singled out the DPRK as a target of its preemptive nuclear attack after listing it as part of an "axis of evil", creating extremely grave danger of a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula.
    Such act of threatening the DPRK's vital right is a crime against humanity quite contrary to the spirit of the UN Charter for peace of humankind as it is intolerable political violence in the modern society.
    If the U.S. drives the developments to the extremes, turning aside the DPRK's fair and aboveboard proposal for settling the issue in a peaceful way through the conclusion of a non-aggression treaty with the U.S. and clamoring for any "countermeasures," the DPRK will be left with no option but to counter it with the toughest stance.

U.S. shameless threat lambasted

     Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- Recently the U.S. bellicose elements blustered that the "nuclear issue" of the DPRK "should be brought to the UN Security Council" and "concrete countermeasures including economic sanctions against the DPRK would be considered there." In this regard Rodong Sinmun today says in a commentary it fully revealed the shameless nature and wicked intention of the U.S. to internationalize the DPRK's "nuclear issue" in a bid to brand it as a "criminal" and stifle it at any cost.
    The nuclear issue and the present situation on the Korean Peninsula are entirely attributable to the U.S. imperialists' hostile policy toward the DPRK, the commentary says, and goes on:
    It is none other than the U.S. that compelled the DPRK to withdraw from the NPT.
    If somebody wants to remind the united nations of the nuclear issue, he should call into question the U.S. hostile policy to stifle the DPRK, which compelled it to take a self-defence step.
    However, the U.S., the assailant, is taking such a high-handed and menacing attitude towards the DPRK, the victim, just like a thief crying "stop the thief", blustering that it would bring the nuclear issue of the DPRK to the UNSC and take sanctions against the DPRK. This is the height of shamelessness.
    It is ridiculous of the U.S. to abuse the name of the un for attaining its dirty goal for aggression.
    "Sanctions" or military pressure can never work on the DPRK.
    If the United States continues to drive the situation to the extremes while branding the DPRK as a "criminal", we will be left with no option but to react to it with the toughest stance. The U.S. will be held wholly responsible for the ensuing consequences.

Homage paid to Kim Il Sung by special envoy of Russian President

     Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- A. P. Losyukov, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia who is a special envoy of the Russian President, Sunday visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to President Kim Il Sung. Present there were Losyukov and his party and Andrei Karlov, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK.
    Also present were Kung Sok Ung, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, and officials concerned.
    They paid respectful homage to the president who lies in state for perpetuity.
    Then they looked round with keen interest the orders, medals and certificates of honorary titles he received from the DPRK and different countries of the world, the mourning hall reminding them of those days when the Korean people deeply grieved over the greatest loss of the nation and a train and a car he used for on-site guidance and foreign visits and in the last period of his life.
    The special envoy made the following entry in the visitor's book: I pay high tribute to comrade Kim Il Sung, the founder of the DPRK and an outstanding statesman, who exerted consistent efforts for the development of the relations of friendship and cooperation between the Korean and Russian peoples.

Gift to Kim Jong Il from special envoy of Russian President

     Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) --Kim Jong Il received a gift from the special envoy of the Russian President. The gift was handed on Saturday to an official concerned by A.P. Losyukov, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, who is a special envoy of the Russian President on a visit to the DPRK.

DPRK officials meet special envoy of Russian President

     Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- Choe Thae Bok, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and Jo Chang Dok, Vice-Premier of the DPRK Cabinet, today separately met and had a talk with A.P. Losyukov, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, who is a special envoy of the Russian President. Present there were officials concerned, the party of the special envoy and Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Gennadievich Karlov

Talks between DPRK and Mongolian foreign ministers

     Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- Talks between Paek Nam Sun, DPRK Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Luvsangiin Erdenechuluun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, were held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. At the talks, the two sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the friendly relations between the two countries and issues of mutual concern.
    Present at the talks from the DPRK side were officials concerned and from the Mongolian side were the party of the Mongolian Foreign Minister and the Mongolian Ambassador to the DPRK Janchivdorjyn Lombo.

Special envoy of Russian President feted

     Pyongyang, January 19 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Government gave a reception Saturday in honor of A. O. Losyukov, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs who is a special envoy of the Russian President on a visit to the DPRK. First Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Sok Ju in a speech made at the reception noted with appreciation that the Russian leadership's dispatch of the special envoy to the DPRK at a time when a dangerous situation is prevailing on the Korean Peninsula due to the U.S. moves to stifle the DPRK proceeded from the good faith and goodwill stand to settle the present situation on the Korean Peninsula at any cost, setting store by the DPRK-Russian relations.
    The DPRK and the U.S. should sit face to face to solve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula as it was authored by the latter and the internationalization of this issue would make the prospect of its settlement more complicated and gloomy, he said, and continued:
    We will in the future, too, set store by the DPRK-Russian relations based on the special relationship between the two top leaders, steadily boost them and work together with Russia for the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in other parts of the world.
    A.P. Losyukov in a speech made at the reception said that the Russia-DPRK talks held today are of weighty importance, adding that they helped have a better understanding of each other's stands on the situation prevailing on the Korean Peninsula.
    Noting that the interaction and cooperation between Russia and the DPRK have become more brisk than ever before in recent years, he said that this has opened a new stage in the development of the bilateral relations.
    The meetings of the two top leaders based on the particular relationship have provided a solid foundation of boosting the Russia-DPRK relations and deepening the bilateral understanding and confidence, he added.
    Present at the reception on invitation were the party of the special envoy, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov and staff members of the Russian embassy. Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kung Sok Ung and other officials concerned were present there.

Kim Jong Il stresses need to firmly defend territorial airspace of country

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il yesterday inspected flying unit no. 860 of the KPA. During his inspection he expressed satisfaction over that all the servicepersons of the unit are firmly defending the territorial airspace of the country to cope with the evermore undisguised war moves of the enemy, highly appreciated their feats and set forth tasks that would serve as guidelines in increasing the combat power of the unit.
    The unit was honored with field guidance given by President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il scores of times.
    Kim Jong Il said the unit that has covered the road of victory and honor under the meticulous guidance and care of the president is a flying unit with a long tradition of struggle as it has produced dozens of DPRK heroes and many persons of great feats, adding that the undying feats the president performed for the strengthening and development of the nation's air force would shine long in the history of the matchless air force.
    He learned in detail about the unit's performance of duty and training and looked round a servicemen's hall, a mess and other places.
    He met with the officers and men of the unit to give a warm pep talk to them before posing for a photograph with them.
    He went to a sub-unit honored with the title of "O Jung Hup's Seventh Regiment" under the unit to take warm care of the living of the pilots with paternal love.
    He met with a private third class Kim Myong Hui, one of the young girls who laid bouquets of wild flowers prepared with much care before the monument to the president's on-the-spot guidance on a remote roadside, missing Generalissimo Kim Il Sung, on June 22, 1996, the story about whom touched the people so deeply.
    Looking back with deep emotion on the day he was deeply impressed to see the wildflowers laid before the monument to the on-the-spot guidance while he was passing through Yonha-ri, Sinuiju, he was very pleased to see Kim Myong Hui standing at the post defending the country. He highly praised her invariable loyalty and patriotic devotion.
    Then he visited pilot Hong Thae Sik's family.
    Hong and his wife had the great honor of receiving profound loving care from Kim Jong Il when he dropped in at their room on August 28, 2001 during their pleasant vacation at the Kalma rest home of the KPA.
    Speaking highly of Hong's long and devoted service at the air force unit, he told Hong to bring up their children as good pilots and soldiers to make his family a family of servicepersons who defend the country with arms.
    Kim Jong Il saw an art performance given by airmen of the sub- unit and had a photograph taken with the sub-unit's servicepersons.
    He was accompanied by generals of the KPA Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong and secretaries Kim Kuk Thae and Kim Ki Nam and first vice-department directors Ri Yong Chol, Jang Song Thaek and Choe Chun Hwang of the WPK Central Committee

KCNA assails Japanese Prime Minister's visit to "Yasukuni Shrine"

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi's January 14 visit to the "Yasukuni Shrine" is under fire by the international community. This was his third visit in less than two years after his assumption of office. It is intolerable as it is intended to call back the departed soul of militarists and justify the aggression and all the crimes Japan committed against Asian countries in the past.
    He was reported to have told media persons prior to his visit that he was going to visit the shrine in peace, lost in the thought that Japan would not start a war again. It is, indeed, a foolish attempt to mislead the fair public opinion critical of visits to the shrine.
    How can the visit to the shrine, a symbol of militarism, bring peace and security to the Korean people and other people of the world.
    Koizumi's visit is an open challenge to the Korean people and all other people of Asia who hope that Japan will not repeat its history of aggression, its blood-stained history.
    His misbehavior is quite contrary to the spirit of the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration, in which Japan admitted, in a spirit of humility, the facts of history that it caused tremendous damage and sufferings to the Korean people through its colonial rule in the past and expressed deep remorse and heartfelt apology.
    The state relations between the DPRK and Japan can never be normalized as long as Japan persistently works to revive militarism while covering up its past history in which it imposed great misfortune and sufferings upon the Korean people and committed unprecedented crimes against Korea in the last century.
    The Japanese politicians should stop the anachronistic moves to justify the unprecedented crimes committed against the Korean people and opt for clearly liquidating Japan's past as early as possible in line with the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration.

Gift to Kim Jong Il from Algerian President

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il received a gift from Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Algeria, on the occasion of the New Year, Juche 92 (2003). It was handed to the DPRK Ambassador to China by the charge d'affaires ad interim of Algeria to China.

Posters for 7th Kimjongilia Show created

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- New posters have been created for the 7th Kimjongilia Show to be held on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il (February 16). Inscribed in upper parts of them are slogans "Long Live General Kim Jong Il, Peerless Patriot" and "Long Live General Kim Jong Il, Legendary Hero" reflecting boundless reverence and praise and absolute trust in him of the Korean people and the world progressives and letters "February 16 Celebration".
    Among them are a poster with Kimjongilia painted against Mt. Paektu and a poster with the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia exhibition and Kimjongilia. Written in lower parts of them are letters reading: the show is open at the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia exhibition from February 12 to 21, Juche 92 (2003).

Special envoy of Russian President here

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- A. P. Losyukov, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, in the capacity of a special envoy of the Russian President and his party arrived in Pyongyang on Saturday. They were met at the airport by Kung Sok Ung, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other officials concerned, Andrei Gennadievich Karlov, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of the embassy.

Talks held between Kang Sok Ju and A. P. Losyukov

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- Talks were held here today between Kang Sok Ju, First Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, and A. P. Losyukov, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, who is a special envoy of the Russian President. At the talks both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting DPRK-Russia friendly relations that are daily developing on good terms under the deep care of the top leaders of the two countries, the recent nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and issues of concern related to the international situation.
    Present at the talks from the DPRK side were officials concerned and from the Russian side were the party of the special envoy of the Russian President and the Russian Ambassador to the DPRK.

2003 declared as year of independence and peace

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- Representatives of 188 civic and public organizations including the All-People Measure Committee for Sin Hyo Sun and Sim Mi Son, Schoolgirls Killed By a U.S. Armored Car, the Citizen's Solidarity for Democratic Society and the (South) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions reportedly called a press conference in Seoul on Jan. 13 on the occasion of the New Year and made public a press release. The release declared 2003 as a year of independence and peace, appealing to the people to make this year a year of punishing criminals responsible for the killings of girl students, a year of totally revising the unequal South Korea-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, a year of settling the crisis of a war on the Korean Peninsula and bringing about a great turn in ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula and other parts of Northeast Asia and a year of defending the global peace from a war and its threat in solidarity with the world peace-loving forces.
    Saying that the U.S. hostile policy toward the north resulted in sparking confrontation between the north and the U.S., the press release clarified that they would hold an emergency meeting on the situation with delegates of different organizations attending and make public an emergency declaration on the situation. They also said that they would realize the U.S. visit of representatives of civic and public organizations, hold a grand candlelight march and a march for national independence and peace on the occasion of march 1 and steadily strengthen solidarity with international peace organizations.

Mongolian Minister of Foreign Affairs arrives

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- Luvsangiin Erdenechuluun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, and his party arrived here today. They were greeted at the airport by Kung Sok Ung, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Janchivdorjyn Lombo, Mongolian Ambassador to the DPRK.

DPRK SPA delegation leaves

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly led by vice-chairman Jang Chol left here today to participate in the international parliamentary meeting to be held in India. They were seen off at the airport by Jo Kyu Il, chairman of the Korea-India Friendship Parliamentary Group and deputy to the SPA, and Rich Pal Singh, Indian Ambassador to the DPRK.

Special envoy of UN Secretary General leaves

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- Moris Strong, special envoy of the UN Secretary General, and his companion left here today after winding up his five-day Korea visit. They visited the Mansudae Art Studio and some aid projects of the World Food Programme during their stay in the DPRK.

Kim Jong Il gives field guidance to land realignment project

     Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il gave field guidance to the land realignment in South Phyongan Province. Going round different places in the province including Anju and Kaechon cities, he acquainted himself in detail with how the land was levelled and rezoned.
    Feasting his eyes on a vast expanse of fields of standardized shapes, he was greatly satisfied with the fact that soldier-builders, party members and other working people have overfulfilled their quotas despite intense cold of midwinter and highly praised them for their achievements.
    He said that the further the imperialists intensify their moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK, the more dynamically its army and people turn out to successfully build a powerful nation. No force on earth can break the inexhaustible strength and indomitable will of this great army and people who have brought about only victories pulling through all difficulties and ordeals, he noted.
    This stirring reality in South Phyongan Province today in the wake of the changes made in Kangwon, North Phyongan and South Hwanghae provinces clearly testifies to the tremendous strength of our army and people rushing forward like the wind with the steadfast faith that do, there is nothing impossible if one has a will, he said. As we have this indestructible might, our cause of building a powerful nation is certain to be successfully accomplished.
    He set forth important tasks that would serve as guidelines in more energetically pushing ahead with the land realignment and bringing about a signal turn in agricultural production.
    He underscored need to focus forces on the drive to boost the agricultural production now that the land realignment has been wound up in the main in the provinces which play important roles in the grain production.
    In order to boost the grain yield it is necessary to earnestly study and develop high-yielding species suited to the climatic and soil conditions true to the WPK's policy of bringing about a radical turn in seed improvement and uphold and further develop the system of agricultural guidance including the seed selecting system established by President Kim Il Sung, he noted.
    Noting that it is one of the most important issues in increasing the grain production to decisively increase the fertility of soil, he called for applying more various kinds of quality compost to the fields to this end.
    Examining various types of farm machines on the spot, he proposed tasks to be fulfilled to round off the comprehensive mechanization of agriculture.
    He was accompanied by secretaries Kim Kuk Thae and Kim Ki Nam and first vice department directors Ri Yong Chol, Jang Song Thaek and Choe Chun Hwang of the Central Committee of the WPK.

For Spanish-speaking people

kim jong il inspecciona la unidad de aviacion no. 860 del epc

     pyongyang, 18 de enero (atcc) -- el dirigente kim jong il, secretario general del partido del trabajo de corea, presidente del comite de defensa nacional de la republica popular democratica de corea y comandante supremo del ejercito popular de corea inspecciono el dia 17 la unidad de aviacion no. 860 del epc. se mostro satisfecho de que todos los militares de la unidad defienden seguramente el espacio aereo de la patria frente a las recrudescentes maquinaciones belicas de los enemigos, evaluo altamente sus proezas e indico las tareas programaticas que sirven de guia para fortalecer la combatividad de la unidad.
    esta unidad de aviacion tiene el honor de ser visitada decenas de veces por el presidente kim il sung y el comandante supremo kim jong il.
    de esta unidad de largas tradiciones de lucha salieron decenas de heroes de la republica y otros numerosos benemeritos.
    el comandante supremo al recorrer la lapida de senal de la visita de orientacion del presidente y la sala de educacion en su historia revolucionaria, dijo que las inmortales hazanas revolucionarias que realizo el presidente para fortalecer y desarrollar la fuerza aerea del pais luciran esplendidamente con la historia de nuestra invencible fuerza aerea.
    hizo conocimiento detallado del estado de cumplimiento del deber y de entrenamiento de la unidad, recorrio la casa cultural de los militares, el comedor y otros lugares y se fotografio junto a los oficiales y soldados de la unidad.
    el mismo dia, el inspecciono una subunidad ganadora de titulo de septimo regimiento de o jung hup de la unidad y atendio cordialmente la vida de los pilotos.
    el comandante supremo se encontro con la soldado de primer grado kim myong hui.
    el dijo con tono emocionado que al pasar el 22 de junio del 1996 la comuna de yonha de la ciudad de sinhuiju habia visto una flor silvestre puesta ante la lapida de senal de la visita de orientacion del presidente, y se mostro muy alegre de que kim myong hui, una de aquellas protagonistas loables de aquel entonces, sirve ya en el puesto de defensa de la patria y evaluo altamente su espiritu patriotico.
    seguidamente, visito la familia del piloto hong thae sik con quien se habia encontrado el 28 de agosto de 2001 en la casa de reposo de kalma del epc.
    elogio a hong quien durante largo tiempo sirve fielmente en la unidad de aviacion y dijo que se debe formar tambien a sus hijos como magnificos pilotos, militares para hacer de la suya una familia de quienes de generacion en generacion defiendan con armas la patria.
    el comandante supremo presencio la funcion artistica de los pilotos de la subunidad y se fotografio junto a los militares de esta.
    le acompanaron los generales de ejercito del epc ri myong su, hyon chol hae y pak jae gyong, los secretarios del cc del ptc kim kuk thae y kim ki nam y los primeros subjefes de departamento del cc del ptc ri yong chol, jang song thaek y choe chun hwang.

acto anacronico del premier koizumi - comentario de atcc -

     pyongyang, 18 de enero (atcc) -- la visita del dia 14 del premier japones koizumi al santuario "yasukuni" es objeto de la censura de la sociedad internacional. durante apenas dos anos que datan de su toma de posesion, el lo visito por tercera vez, lo cual es un acto imperdonable, tendente a resucitar fantasma militarista y justificar la agresion y todos los crimienes perpetrados en el pasado por su pais contra los paises asiaticos.
    antes de visitarlo koizumi dijo a los periodistas:
    "voy a visitarlo por la paz con el pensamiento de no volver a desatar la guerra". esto es para inducir en error la justa opinion publica que se opone a la visita al santuario.
    ?como puede traer la visita al santuario "yasukuni", simbolo del militarismo la paz y la seguridad al pueblo coreano y los demas pueblos del mundo? la presente visita es un abierto desafio al pueblo coreano y los demas pueblos asiaticos que no desean la repeticion de la historia de agresion de japon.
    tambien es un comportamiento erroneo que contraviene mucho al espiritu de la declaracion corea-japon de pyongyang segun la cual japon acepto con modestia los hechos historicos de haber acarreado al pueblo coreano los tremendos danos y penalidades durante a su dominacion colonial en el pasado y expreso la reflexion y la disculpa profundas por el respecto.
    si japon sigue aferrandose a la resucitacion del militarismo dejando cubierto tal como es el pasado lleno de crimenes de su pais que en el siglo pasado dio al pueblo coreano innumerables desdichas y penalidades y perpetro actos criminales nunca vistos en la historia de corea, no se puede lograr nunca la normalizacion de relaciones diplomaticas con la rpdc.
    los politicos japoneses deben poner fin al acto anacronico tendente a justificar sus crimenes sin precedentes perpetrados contra el pueblo coreano y liquidar cuanto antes su pasado criminal segun la demanda de la declaracion corea-japon de pyongyang.

mexico: comite preparatorio por el 16 de febrero

     pyongyang, 18 de enero (atcc) -- quedo constituido el dia 10 en mexico el comite preparatorio por el 16 de febrero (cumpleanos del dirigente kim jong il). como presidente del comite fue electo alejandro rosales sanchez, presidente del comite mexicano de apoyo a la reunificacion de corea.
    el comite definio el periodo de celebracion del 15 de enero al 28 de febrero y decidio organizar concentracion, simposio sobre obras, conferencia, proyeccion filmica, exhibicion de fotos, velada y otras actividades.