Greetings to Putin

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of greetings to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on August 15, the 58th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. Expressing the belief that the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries would develop in various fields in conformity with the aspiration and desire of the two peoples, the message sincerely wished the president greater success in his noble work for prosperity of the country and world peace and stability as well as the Russian people happiness.

2003 Seminar of Buddhists on Peace Held

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- South Korean Buddhists reportedly held a 2003 seminar of Buddhists on peace on Aug. 10. A declaration made public at the seminar said that the six-way talks will provide an important occasion in solving the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula. It urged the U.S. to clarify at the talks its clear stance on non-aggression and drop its strategy to launch a preemptive nuclear attack on the north and stop the economic sanctions and international pressure upon it.
    It said Japan's rearmament, an established fact, poses a great threat to Northeast Asia including the Korean peninsula and held that Japan, following the U.S. policy of hegemony, should abandon its military ambition.
    Noting that the south-north cooperation is the only way of opening the way out for the nation, it called for further developing the cooperative relations between the south and the north under the banner of the June 15 joint declaration.

DPRK Paduk Program Comes First

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- A Paduk program of the Samilpho Information Centre under the Korean Computer Centre came first and was awarded a winner's cup and a certificate at the World Computer Go Challenger's Contest in Japan some days ago. The contest attracted the world's top-notch teams in this field including China, the U.S., Japan and Britain.
    Korean Paduk program developers could not go to the contest owing to the Japanese reactionaries' anti-DPRK hostile policy and obstructive moves. But their paduk program placed first by beating the best paduk programs of different countries 8 times in 9 matches.
    This is the third time that the computer paduk program developed by young scientists of the DPRK won the title in the contest with world star teams since its team emerged a winner at the 4th and 5th Fost Cup World Computer Go Championships.
    It clearly demonstrates the might of the science and technology of Korea of Juche which has reached a high plane in the development of information science and technology and the field of human intellectual study.

August 15 National Rally Opens

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- An opening ceremony of the August 15 National Rally for Peace and Reunification was held in the Rungrado Pleasure Ground in Pyongyang today. At the opening ceremony, a congratulatory speech was made by Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK Cabinet.
    Then followed speeches by representatives of Koreans in the north and the south and abroad.
    A resolution of the 70 million Koreans for peace and reunification was adopted at the rally.

Wreaths Laid before Liberation Towers

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Wreaths were laid before the Liberation Tower and in the cemetery of fallen fighters of the Soviet army in Sadong District, Pyongyang, this morning on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of Korea's liberation. Present at the wreath-laying ceremonies were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Sin Il Nam, vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet, and other officials concerned, generals and officers of the Korean people's Army and working people in the city.
    Also present there were Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy here Oleg Dabydov and embassy officials. Wreaths were laid before the Liberation Tower and in the cemetery in the joint name of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Cabinet of the DPRK, amid the playing of the wreath-laying music.
    Wreaths were also laid in the name of the Russian embassy here.
    Wreaths were laid before the liberation tower in the name of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and in the joint name of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association and in the joint name of the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK and the Pyongyang City People's Committee. Wreaths were placed at the cemetery of the fallen fighters of the Soviet army in the name of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Fisheries, in the joint name of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association, in the joint name of the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK and the Pyongyang City People's Committee and in the joint name of the Sadong District, Pyongyang City, Committee of the WPK and the Sadong District, Pyongyang City, People's Committee.
    Members of the Consulate General of Russia in Chongjin laid bunches of flowers before the liberation tower and in the cemetery of fallen fighters of the Soviet army there on the same day.
    Wreaths were also placed before liberation towers, monuments to the fallen fighters of the Soviet army, statues of Soviet soldiers and in cemeteries of fallen fighters of the Soviet army in Chongjin, Haeju, Wonsan, Nampho and other local areas in the joint name of provincial and city people's committees, and bouquets and flowers were laid there by members of the Russian embassy here.

Gift to Kim Jong Il from Lao Chairman

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a gift from the visiting chairman of the Central Committee of the National Construction Front of Laos. The gift was handed today to Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, by Sisavath Keobounphanh, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and chairman of the C.C., the National Construction Front of Laos.

Resolution of 70 Million Koreans Expressed

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- A resolution of the 70 million Koreans for peace and reunification was adopted at the August 15 National Rally in Pyongyang on Friday. It is the unanimous will of the 70 million Koreans to protect the security and peace of the nation and advance along the road of reunification under the uplifted banner of the June 15 joint declaration, the resolution said, and went on: Firstly, we solemnly declare at home and abroad the firm will of the 70 million Koreans to achieve peace despite any ordeals.
    It is the fixed desire and will of all the fellow countrymen that a war should not break out in this land under all circumstances.
    We will regard peace as the foremost task of the nation to pave the way for reunification and prosperous future.
    Secondly, we will cope with the danger of war from outside by the concerted efforts of the nation.
    In order to prevent the danger of war and safeguard the peace and security of the nation, it is necessary for all the fellow countrymen to get firmly united, first of all. Any threat of a "power" inciting antagonism and division will prove futile in face of national reconciliation and unity.
    Thirdly, we will pave the way for peace and reunification through national unity and cooperation.
    We should go united, pooling efforts of the nation to protect the security of the nation and achieve peace just as we have settled by the efforts of the nation all the issues arising in the drive to surmount the barrier of the nation's division and bring earlier the reunification of the country.
    We will firmly unite with all the countries that love peace and work to defend peace and all the peace-loving forces of the world.
    Fourthly, we will achieve the reunification of the nation and make lasting peace settle in this land.
    Genuine peace can be achieved in Korea only through reunification.
    We will open a new charter of national reconciliation and unity and surely fling the door of reunification open by the efforts of the Korean nation, as indicated by the historic June 15 joint declaration.

Tribute Paid to President Kim Il Sung

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Senior officials of the Party, the state and the army today visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay tribute to President Kim Il Sung on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the country's liberation. A floral basket was laid before the statue of the President in the joint name of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Central Military Commission of the WPK, the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK and the DPRK Cabinet.
    Written on the ribbon of the floral basket were letters "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung Is Immortal".
    Senior officials of the Party, the state and the army paid high tribute to the statue of the President.
    They entered the hall where the President lies in state for perpetuity and made bows to him in profound reverence. They looked round orders and medals he received.

Reception Given by Russian Charge d' Affaires Ad Interim

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Charge d' Affaires ad Interim of the Russian embassy here Oleg Dabydov gave a reception at the embassy Thursday evening to mark the 58th anniversary of Korea's liberation. Present on invitation were Vice-President Yang Hyong Sop of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly,
    Minister Kim Yong Sam of Railways, acting Chairman Mun Jae Chol of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and officials concerned.
    On hand were staff members of the Russian embassy.
    Speeches were made at the reception.
    The consul general of the Russian Federation in Chongjin hosted a reception on the evening of August 12 to mark the 58th anniversary of Korea's liberation.

Greetings to Russian President

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today sent a message of greetings to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of Korea's liberation. The message expressed belief that the traditional relations of the DPRK-Russia friendship would invariably develop in the interests of the two peoples in the spirit of the DPRK-Russia Moscow Declaration.
    It sincerely wished the president new success in his responsible work to achieve the socio-political stability of the country including an early settlement of the Chechnya issue and the Russian people well-being.

Sports and Amusement Games Held

     Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- The participants in the August 15 National Rally for Peace and Reunification had sports and amusement games in the recreation ground on Rungna Islet. Prior to the games, they danced to the joyful music played by the women's brass band of the north.
    The games took place between the teams "solidarity" and "unity" involving representatives of various circles from the north, the south and overseas.
    Ropeskipping race, Korean peninsula map pasting and other colorful games took place in succession.
    The games demonstrated the fixed will of the participants to build a reunified country by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation.

First Session of 11th SPA to Be Held

     Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- A decision of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly on holding the First Session of the 11th SPA was made public. According to the decision dated August 7, the first Session of the 11th Supreme People's Assembly will be held in Pyongyang on September 3.

DPRK Exhibition Opens in Russia

     Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- A DPRK photo, book and handicraft exhibition was opened at the Komsomolsk-na-Amure City Art Museum with due ceremony on the occasion of the first anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's visit to the Far Eastern Region of the Russian Federation. Displayed there were photographs showing the revolutionary activities of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and Korean books and handicrafts. The mayor of the city and others spoke there. Participants looked round exhibits.

U.S. Urged to Drop Its Ambition to Stifle DPRK

     Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The recent attempt of the U.S. imperialist bellicose forces to stifle the DPRK is a daydream as it betrays its ignorance of the DPRK, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article. The DPRK has strength enough to win in the military confrontation with the U.S. and it has ideological and moral strength more powerful than a nuclear weapon and a mighty military force capable of wiping out any formidable enemy, the article notes, and goes on:
    The single-hearted unity of the leader, the Party and the masses, the pledge of the army and the people to devotedly defend their leader, the spirit of laying down one's life as a human bullet and bomb, the ardent love for their system and country, firm conviction of the justice of their cause and victory and bitter hatred against enemies constitute ideological and moral strength of the DPRK.
    It is ridiculous of the U.S. to paint itself as a "victor" and the DPRK as a "loser".
    The DPRK has offensive and defensive means strong enough to cope with a modern war. No one can guess how strong the military force of the DPRK is.
    The U.S. blusters that it would be able to occupy the DPRK within one hour. But this is nonsense in every aspect. The U.S. is still fighting a war with Iraq, a war which can hardly be considered to be an actual war. Then, how can it finish a war with the DPRK within one hour?
    If the U.S. invades the DPRK through a preemptive attack, the DPRK will turn the situation in favour of it by a strong counterattack. Then powers around Korea will inevitably react to it and this will have a strong impact on the development of the situation. The second Korean war can not but spill over into a new world war. It is quite natural that the U.S. can never finish such a war and world war within an hour.
    What matters is why the U.S. imperialists are peddling such ambition.
    It is to serve the purpose of its crafty awe strategy and psychological warfare.
    The U.S. imperialists should clearly understand who their opponent is and drop their foolish ambition.

Korean International Exhibition Agency

     Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The 6th Pyongyang International Commodity Exhibition has been held from August 11 to 14 at the Three Revolution Exhibition in Pyongyang, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It is sponsored by the Korean International Exhibition Agency. The exhibition is attended by some 100 companies from the DPRK, Germany, China, Malaysia and other countries and regions.
    The KIEA is the only agency of the DPRK, which organizes international commodity exhibitions.
    Since its establishment in April Juche 47 (1958), the agency has sponsored or participated in over 380 commodity exhibitions held at home and abroad. It was awarded several special prizes, some 80 gold medals and 110 citations by international commodity exhibition organizing committees of other countries.
    The agency has contributed to the development of the country's science and technology by introducing some 100 new technologies.
    It has made trade contracts with many countries of Asia, Europe and the rest of the world.
    The Pyongyang International Commodity Exhibition is an annual event sponsored by the agency.

Liberator of Korean Nation

     Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- August 15 is the anniversary of liberation of Korea from the colonial rule of the Japanese imperialists (1945). The Korean people, with a 5,000-year-long history and brilliant culture, were reduced to colonial slaves after the Japanese imperialists militarily occupied the country in the early 20th century.
    The Japanese imperialists plundered Korea of natural resources at random and bled the Korean people white by inconceivable methods and means.
    They made every effort to deprive the Korean people of their history, cultural tradition, language and names in an attempt to exterminate the Korean nation.
    Their colonial enslavement policy turned Korea into a living hell and distressed the Korean people.
    President Kim Il Sung, who was born into a patriotic and revolutionary family when the country was under the Japanese occupation, keenly felt the sorrow of the ruined nation, started revolutionary activities for the liberation of the country and fought against the invaders for two decades.
    He founded the Korean People's Revolutionary Army in April Juche 21 (1932) and declared a sacred war against the Japanese imperialists. During the hard-fought war, he stroke terror into the one million-strong "crack Kwantung Army" with his superb tactics. He finally defeated the Japanese imperialists and liberated Korea, thus earning the fame as a legendary hero. Since then, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has appeared in the international arena as an independent and sovereign state and its people have become the happiest and proud people in the world.
    This is why the Korean people always venerate Kim Il Sung as the liberator of the nation and founder of socialist Korea.

Rodong Sinmun on Love of Country and Nation

     Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Love of the country and the nation is an eternal ideological and moral means in the struggle of the Korean nation for great national unity and reunification of the country, declares Rodong Sinmun in a signed article today: Various differences such as differences in idea and system have cropped up between the north and the south in the course of living separated for over half a century. They, however, can never be a condition for the Korean nation to remain separated nor be an unsurmountable obstacle to great unity, it states, and continues:
    To love the country and the nation and treasure national character is a proud tradition, national traits and common mentality and ideological sentiments of the Korean nation. Nobody can talk about national reunification apart from great national unity or think of the solidness and might of this unity not based on love of the country and the nation.
    Leader Kim Jong Il formulated love of the country and the nation, the ideological sentiments common to the Korean nation, as the firm ideological foundation of great national unity. This is one more immortal ideological and theoretical feat performed by him in the cause of the great unity of the Korean nation and reunification of the country. The reconciliation and unity of the Korean nation have reached today an astounding phase of development never imagined before and a new historical era of independent reunification has opened, says the article, and concludes:
    When all the members of the nation promote unity with love of the country and the nation as the ideological foundation, the Korean nation will achieve national reunification without fail.

U.S. Accused of Souring Atmosphere of Dialogue

     Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The U.S. recent act of souring the atmosphere with the six-way talks at hand can not but compel the DPRK to doubt whether the U.S. is really set to have fruitful talks for the solution to the nuclear issue in a sound atmosphere or not, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary. Recalling that the U.S. is fanning a war fever against the DPRK behind the scene of dialogue, the commentary continues:
    These military moves are prompted by the U.S sinister intention to put military pressure upon the DPRK in a bid to steer the talks the way it premeditated and desired.
    It is indecorum bereft of common sense and international diplomatic practice for the U.S. to pressurize its dialogue partner with reckless military actions under the umbrella of dialogue in a bid to attain its sinister aim.
    It is quite natural that the DPRK would not feel pleased to sit for talks with the very one who puts military pressure upon it. The DPRK owes the U.S. nothing and it does not want to benefit from it.
    The U.S. should not seek a selfish aim to attain something by wielding a stick against its dialogue partner and partially handle the nuclear issue in its favour.
    The U.S. persistent moves would only chill the atmosphere of the talks and put them at a peril.
    It is the stand of the DPRK to participate in the talks with an easy mind, not being subject to any pressure including psychological one and discuss the issue in a sincere and candid atmosphere on the principle of impartiality and equality so as to make the talks fruitful and thus find a solution to the acute nuclear issue between the DPRK and the U.S. and achieve lasting peace and security on the Korean peninsula.

S. Korean Delegation to August 15 National Rally Arrives

     Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA)-The South Korean delegation co-headed by Paek To Ung, manager of the council of Christian churches, Yun Jae Chol, permanent chairman of the People's Council for National Reconcilation and Cooperation, and Han Sang Ryol, permanent representative of the reunification solidarity, arrived here today to participate in the August 15 National Rally for Peace and Reunification. The delegation was greeted at the airport with warm compatriotic feelings by An Kyong Ho, vice-chairman of the Committee of the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, Jang Jae On, chairman of the Korean Council of Religionists, Ri Mun Hwan And others.

For Spanish-speaking people

Premier coreano se refiere a importancia de Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio

     Pyongyang, 15 de agosto (ATCC) -- Hong Song Nam, primer ministro del Consejo de Ministros de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea pronuncio un discurso de felicitacion en el Acto Nacional de 15 de Agosto por la Paz y la Reunificacion inaugurado el dia 15 en esta capital. Hong dijo:
    Este acto servira de un acontecimiento nacional de gran significacion para desarrollar las relaciones Norte-Sur conforme al espiritu fundamental de la Declaracion Conjunta Norte-Sur del 15 de Junio, prevenir la guerra, preservar la paz y adelantar la causa de la reunificacion de la patria con las fuerzas unidas de toda la nacion en esta tierra y sera una importante coyuntura de viraje para estimular mas energicamente el movimiento pannacional por la reintegracion.
    Aunque la situacion sigue siendo tensa, se desarrollan animadamente el dialogo, el contacto, la cooperacion y el intercambio entre el Norte y el Sur de Corea. Todos estos acontecimientos trascendentales son un resultado orgulloso de la Declaracion Conjunta Norte-Sur del 15 de Junio. Todos los coreanos del Norte y el Sur y en ultramar deben apreciar el ideal "Las fuerzas unidas de la nacion", remidio omnipotente en la solucion del problema de la reunificacion y realizar la cooperacion nacional conforme a este ideal.
    Debemos oponernos resueltamente a las fuerzas extranjeras y las otras opuestas a la reunificacion que niegan la referida Declaracion y la colaboracion nacional y ponen freno a la ejecucion de esta.
    Hoy, el desplegar energicamente el movimiento antibelico por la paz es la tarea importante de las organizaciones del movimiento por la reunificacion en el Norte, el Sur y en ultramar.
    Estas entidades deben solidarizarse y unirse estrechamente para desarrollar a escala nacional el movimiento antibelico por la paz destinado a preservar la paz del pais y la tranquilidad de la nacion.

Decision de 70 millones de coreanos por la paz y la reunificacion

     Pyongyang, 15 de agosto (ATCC) -- En el Acto Nacional del 15 de Agosto efectuado hoy en esta capital fue aprobada la decision de 70 millones de coreanos por la paz y la reunificacion. Tras senalar que preservar la seguridad y la paz de la nacion y tomar el camino de la reunificacion bajo la bandera de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio es la unanime voluntad de 70 millones de coreanos, la decision expone lo siguiente:
    Primero, manifestamos solemnemente al interior y el exterior del pais la firme voluntad de paz de los 70 millones de coreanos de no doblegarse ante las pruebas de toda indole.
    En todo caso, no debe ocurrir la guerra en Corea. Esto es el deseo y la voluntad firmes de toda la nacion coreana. Tomaremos la paz por la tarea primordial de la nacion para allanar el camino de la reunificacion y el futuro de la prosperidad.
    Segundo, con las fuerzas unidas de la nacion, superaremos el peligro de guerra desde afuera.
    Tercero, allanaremos el camino de la paz y la reunificacion mediante la unidad y la cooperacion de la nacion.
    Como hemos solucionado con las fuerzas de la nacion todos los problemas que se presentaban en el camino para superar la division nacional y adelantar la reintegracion, debemos lograr la unidad nacional para defender la seguridad de la nacion y preservar la paz.
    Tambien, nos uniremos firmemente con todos los paises del mundo, todas las fuerzas amantes de la paz.
    Cuarto, nos esforzaremos por lograr la reintegracion nacional y alcanzar la paz duradera sobre esta tierra. Siguiendo el camino indicado por la historica Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio registraremos un nuevo capitulo de la reconciliacion y la unidad nacionales y, con las fuerzas de la nacion, abriremos ciertamente de par en par la puerta de la reunificacion.

Programa de Paduk de Corea ocupa el primer lugar

     Pyongyang, 15 de agosto (ATCC) -- El programa de Paduk del Centro de Informatica Samilpho del Centro de Computacion de Corea ocupo el primer lugar con la copa y el diploma en la Competencia Mundial de Desafiadores de Paduk por Computacion, efectuada recientemente en Japon. En ella participaron los equipos de China, EE.UU., Japon, Gran Bretana y otros paises que se jactan de la superioridad tecnica mundial del ramo.
    Los explotadores coreanos no pudieron participar directamente en la competencia debido a la politica hostil a Corea de los reaccionarios japoneses y sus maniobras obstruccionistas. Pero, el programa de Paduk de Corea ocupo el primer lugar al vencer con 8 victorias de 9 partidos a los programas mejores de varios paises del mundo.
    El programa de Paduk desarrollado por los cientificos jovenes de Corea ocupo el primer lugar tambien en los IV y V Campeonatos Mundiales de Programas de Paduk por la Copa Fost. Las tres victorias sucesivas en las competencias con los equipos mejores del mundo demuestran el alto nivel de desarrollo de la informatica y el alto grado de inteligencia artificial de Corea del Juche.