Past news

Russian Folk Dance Troupe Gives Premiere

    Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- The Russian Moiseyev State Academy folk dance troupe on a visit to the DPRK gave its premiere at the Mansudae Art Theatre yesterday evening. The troupe deeply impressed the Korean people through colorful dance pieces during its two visits to the DPRK last year.
    Put on the stage were dances of Russia and other countries.
    In dance "Guerrillas" dancers depicted the struggle of the Russian army and people with their high artistic skills.
    The Russian artistes delighted the spectators by well representing Korean dances to the tune of joyful melodies.
    The performance that proceeded in an atmosphere of warm Korean-Russian friendship closed with chorus "Our friendship will be everlasting"
    Enjoying it were Secretary Jong Ha Chol and Vice Department Director Ji Jae Ryong of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned, artistes, working people in the city and Russian embassy officials here. The performance continues

Congratulatory Letters and Gifts to Kim Jong Il

Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received congratulatory letters and gifts from Norodom Ranariddh, chairman of the PUNCINPEC Party of Cambodia, Chea Sim, chairman of the Central Committee of the People's Party of Cambodia, and the leader of the People's Liberation Front of Sri Lanka, on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the DPRK. He was presented with gifts by the National Executive Committee of the Workers' Party of Mexico, the Central Committee of the All India Forward Bloc and the People's Liberation Front of Sri Lanka.
The congratulatory letters and gifts were conveyed to officials concerned by the heads of delegations and delegates of the above-said parties on a visit to the DPRK.

Gifts to Kim Jong Il from Foreign Party Delegations and Delegate

Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with gifts by the secretary general of the People's Unity Party of Tunisia, the delegation of the People's Party of Cambodia and the delegation of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) on a visit to the DPRK on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the DPRK. The gifts were conveyed to officials concerned by heads of the delegations and delegate.

KCNA Accuses Japan of Seeking Crafty Political Aim

    Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- The Japanese reactionaries are misbehaving themselves over the abduction issue. In a keynote speech at the six-way talks in Beijing the head of the Japanese delegation said that the issues of missile and abduction should be settled comprehensively along with the nuclear issue.
    This was a clear indication that Japan's desperate attempt to participate in the six-way talks was prompted by a crafty intention to use the talks for meeting its political interests at home, not by the desire to contribute to settling the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula and the pending issues between the DPRK and the United States related to it.
    In fact, Japan is not entitled to participate in the six-way talks to discuss the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula.
    But the DPRK allowed Japan to take part in the talks out of broad magnanimity and tolerance, taking into consideration its face and wish. Japan should have felt grateful for this and done its utmost to help discuss the basic issue at the talks sincerely and fairly. However, Japan soured the climate for the talks, persistently raising the abduction issue contrary to the purport and aim of the talks during the talks.
    Japan's much-harped abduction issue is a matter that had already been settled through the publication of the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration last year and the DPRK has done what it should do in this regard.
    Nevertheless, Japan is working hard to please its master and fish in troubled waters by supporting the U.S. pressure upon the DPRK even in the international arena. This is nothing but a foolish act of political imbeciles ignorant of the trend of the times and the situation.
    If Japan continues working hard to realize its sinister political purpose with the backing of the U.S. while evading its responsibility to liquidate its past as now, the DPRK will be left with no option but to take a strong countermeasure.

Kim Yong Nam Meets Congratulatory Group of Koreans in Japan

Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, met and had a compatriotic talk with a congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan for celebrating the 55th anniversary of the DPRK led by So Man Sul, chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), Chongryon deputies to the SPA including Ryang Su Jong and Kim So Ja, vice-chairpersons of the Chongryon Central Standing Committee, and Chongryon heroes including twice hero of labor Pak Hui Dok, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on September 10. Present there were officials concerned.

Letter to Kim Jong Il from Participants in Joint Meeting

    Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a letter from the participants in the joint meeting of organizations for friendship and solidarity with the Korean people on September 10. It noted:
    The celebration of the 55th anniversary of the DPRK was a significant event, which demonstrated once again to the world the absolute trust of the Korean army and people in Your Excellency and their firm confidence in justness and victory of their cause and their will.
    We joined the Korean people in the celebration of their national day, during which we had a joint meeting to express positive solidarity with them in their righteous cause.
    The participants in the meeting unanimously denounced the nuclear row and moves of the Bush Administration to stifle the DPRK as an intolerable violation of human justice and peace.
    They also expressed firm determination to further intensify the international solidarity movement to support the Korean people's effort for national defense and peaceful reunification, and called upon the world's progressive peoples to make a positive response to it.
    During our visit to your country, we have been greatly encouraged by the unrivalled personality and wisdom of Your Excellency, who pursue the unique Songun policy to firmly defend the dignity and sovereignty of the country and by the ever-victorious mettle of the Korean people and the Korean People's Army who boldly face the arrogant challenge of the United States.
    Availing ourselves of this opportunity, we reaffirm that we will do our utmost to support the just cause of the Korean people led by Your Excellency.

Joint Meeting of Organizations for Friendship and Solidarity with Korean People

    Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- A joint meeting of organizations for friendship and solidarity with the Korean people was held at Yanggakdo International Hotel on September 10. Guy Dupre, secretary general of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea, in a keynote report said that he was very pleased to join the Korean people in celebrating the 55th anniversary of the DPRK. The foundation of the DPRK was a very significant event, he noted.
    The international conference for peace on the Korean peninsula held in Pyongyang vehemently denounced the grave Korea policy of the United States, the very one disturbing justice and peace on the Korean peninsula, he said, calling upon the international community to extend full support and solidarity to the Korean people's struggle, clearly understanding that to support the Korean people in a fierce confrontation with the U.S., true to the Songun policy of leader Kim Jong Il precisely means defending the world's peace and security.
    Anders Kristensen, chairman of the Denmark-DPRK Friendship Association who is secretary general of the Nordic Cooperation Committee for Friendship and Solidarity with the Korean People, and the executive chairman of the Philippines-DPRK Friendship Association, and others spoke at the meeting.
    They expressed the belief that the current joint meeting would mark an important occasion in further intensifying the movement for solidarity with the Korean people, and stressed that the organizations for friendship and solidarity with the Korean people will lift their voices supporting and solidarizing with them who remain true to the Songun policy of Kim Jong Il.
    A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
    An appeal to the world's people who love justice and peace was read out at the meeting.

Yon Hyong Muk Meets Pulikovski

Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- Yon Hyong Muk, vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on September 10 met and had a friendly talk with Konstantin Borisovich Pulikovski, presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Region of the Russian Federation, and his party. The presidential envoy conveyed to Yon Hyong Muk a personal letter to leader Kim Jong Il from Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation.
Present there were First Vice-Minister Kang Sok Ju and Vice-Minister Kung Sok Ung of Foreign Affairs and other officials concerned, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Gennadievich Karlov and embassy officials.

Reception Given for Chongryon Officials

    Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- A reception was given at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on September 10 in honor of officials of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon). Present there were Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, and officials concerned.
    The congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan for celebrating the 55th anniversary of the DPRK led by So Man Sul, chairman of the Central Standing Committee of Chongryon, Chongryon deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly including Ryang Su Jong and Kim So Ja, vice-chairpersons of the Chongryon Central Standing Committee, and Chongryon heroes including twice hero of labor Pak Hui Dok.
    So Man Sul in a speech said that the greatest and most precious wealth for the Chongryon officials and compatriots in Japan is the great and benevolent motherland. They are more keenly feeling the valuableness and gratitude of the country than ever before on the occasion of the anniversary of the Republic, he noted.
    The Chongryon officials and compatriots in Japan have cherished the great truth that leader Kim Jong Il, the country, Chongryon and compatriots in Japan form a harmonious whole, he said, stressing that Chongryon will cover the patriotic path started under the leadership of President Kim Il Sung to the end under the guidance of Kim Jong Il.

U.S. Urged to Terminate Its Military Presence in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- Jitendra Sharma, chairman of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, issued a statement on September 6 58 years after the U.S. troops' occupation of south Korea.
    He said that the U.S. military occupation of south Korea was totally illegal from its start. No sooner had the U.S. troops occupied south Korea on September 8, 1945 than they forcibly dissolved the people's committees organized at the initiative of the patriotic democratic forces of all social strata while enforcing their "military rule", he noted.
    He said that the U.S. continued military presence in south Korea is a wonton violation of the Korean Armistice Agreement and quite contrary to the resolution of the 30th U.N. General Assembly.
    All facts clearly prove that the U.S. imperialists are, indeed, aggressors who are gravely threatening the peace and security on the Korean peninsula and the world and an evil band of outlaws defying the U.N. Charter, international law and world public opinion,he said.
    He noted that if lasting peace is to settle on the Korean peninsula and Korea is to be reunified, the United States should drop its hostile policy toward the DPRK and put an end to its troops' presence in south Korea.
    If the U.S. truly wants a peaceful solution to the Koran issue, it should withdraw its troops and mass destruction weapons including the nuclear weapons from south Korea without delay.

Welcome Committee of Koreans in Russia Inaugurated

Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- A Committee of the Central Association of Korean Nationals in Russia for Welcoming the Reelection of the Great Leader General Kim Jong Il as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK was formed on September 4. The welcome committee discussed and decided on a plan to hold various functions including a meeting and a film show till October 10.
A Committee of the United Confederation of Koreans in the Far Eastern Region for Welcoming the Reelection of General Kim Jong Il as Chairman of the NDC of the DPRK was also inaugurated on September 5.

Performance of Shanghai Ballet Troupe

    Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- The visiting Chinese Shanghai Ballet Troupe performed a ballet drama "White Haired Girl" at the Ponghwa Art Theatre last evening. The ballet drama deeply impressed the spectators as it represented the heroic struggle of the Chinese people for the national and class emancipation during the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and the revolutionary civil war.
    The performers successfully depicted the thematic idea of the work in the form of the modern ballet and brought into bold relief the artistic quality of the work with truthful acting, elegant and refined dance movements and music spiced with national flavor.
    The performance was appreciated by the Chinese ambassador to the DPRK and embassy officials, other diplomatic envoys and embassy officials of different countries and representatives of international organizations here.
    It was also enjoyed by working people in Pyongyang.

Russian Presidential Envoy and His Party Feted

    Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- A reception was given yesterday evening in honor of the presidential envoy of the Russian president to the Far Eastern Region and his party. Yon Hyong Muk, vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK in a speech said that he, upon the authorization of Kim Jong Il, chairman of the NDC of the DPRK, warmly welcomed the presidential envoy on a visit to the DPRK.
    He noted that the Russian friends' joining in the Koreans in celebrating the 55th anniversary of the DPRK offered another occasion of boosting the friendly relations between the DPRK and Russia.
    He highly praised the presidential envoy for having exerted sincere efforts to actively develop the exchange and cooperation between the DPRK and the Far Eastern Region as desired by the heads of the two countries and expressed the belief that he would make a positive contribution to boosting the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in the future too.
    Konstantin Borisovich Pulikovski extended deep thanks to Kim Jong Il, chairman of the DPRK NDC, for inviting him to visit the beautiful DPRK and participate in the 55th celebrations of the DPRK.
    He said that he and his party keenly realized the might of the Korean People's Army and the single-hearted unity of the Party, the army and the popular masses of the DPRK while participating in the celebrations.
    I heard the happy news about Kim Jong Il's reelection as chairman of the NDC of the DPRK at the First Session of the 11th Supreme People's Assembly, he said, adding that President Putin sent a congratulatory message to Kim Jong Il, an expression of his deep respect for the leadership of the DPRK.
    Present at the reception on invitation were the presidential envoy and his party, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Gennadievich Karlov and embassy officials.

Pulikovski and His Party Leave

    Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- Konstantin Borisovich Pulikovski, presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Region of the Russian Federation, and his party left here for home today. They were seen off at the airport by Vice-Chairman Yon Hyong Muk of the National Defence Commission, Vice-Foreign Minister Kung Sok Ung, officials concerned, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Gennadievich Karlov and embassy officials.
    Prior to the departure he and his party visited the photo exhibition to mark the first anniversary of the visit of leader Kim Jong Il to the Far Eastern Region of the Russian Federation and the Taedonggang Beer Factory.
    The presidential envoy made entries in the visitor's books.
    Meanwhile the presidential envoy and his party visited Kim Sung Jo's unit of the Korean People's Army to see its servicepersons in training.

Gifts to Kim Jong Il

Pyongyang, September 10 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received gifts from Guy Dupre, secretary general of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea, the Australian friendship delegation headed by Chairman of the Victoria Branch of the Australia-DPRK Association for Friendship and Cultural Exchange Stephen Gibson and Charles Doerner, chairman of the Luxembourg-Korea Friendship Association on a visit to the DPRK on the occasion of its 55th birthday. He was also presented with gifts by the Denmark-DPRK Friendship Association, the Swiss Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification and the Pyongyang Cultural Interchange Centre in Lausane, Switzerland.
The gifts were handed to officials concerned.

Swedish King on Developing Relations with DPRK

Pyongyang, September 10 (KCNA) -- Carl Gustaf XVI, king of Sweden, expressed the expectation that the relations between Sweden and the DPRK would expand and develop in the interests of the two peoples in the future, referring to the recent brisk exchange between the two countries in various domains, when receiving credentials from new DPRK Ambassador to Sweden Jon In Chan on Sept. 4. He hoped that outstanding issues including the inter-Korean relations and the DPRK-U.S. relations would be settled peacefully through negotiations and wished the Korean people prosperity.

Special Envoy of Nepalese King Pays Congratulatory Visit to DPRK Embassy

Pyongyang, September 10 (KCNA) -- Sardha Prasad Pradan, secretary in charge of personal affairs of the Nepalese royal palace, paid a congratulatory visit to the DPRK embassy on Sept. 5 in the capacity of a special envoy of the king on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the DPRK. The special envoy conveyed to the DPRK ambassador greetings of the king to leader Kim Jong Il.

KCNA Refutes U.S. Brigandish Demand

    Pyongyang, September 10 (KCNA) -- At the six-way talks in Beijing the United States did not show its political willingness to make a switchover in its policy toward the DPRK at all but took a more hard-line stand than before. It asserted that it can discuss the issue of the DPRK's concerns only when the latter takes a practical action to physically dismantle the "nuclear weapons program" in a verifiable and irreversible manner.
    This is a brigandish demand that the DPRK should disarm itself and succumb to the U.S. It is little short of asking its rival to drop his gun first when both sides are leveling guns at each other.
    Such demand of the U.S. in essence, means that the DPRK should waive its right of self-defence to defend its sovereignty which it regards as its life and soul and fall victim to the U.S. barehanded. This is an American-style mode of disarming sovereign states and a method of aggression to swallow up independent countries with ease.
    By nature, verification is applicable only to criminals. The DPRK does not have any obligation to be subject to such verification under law as it has done its utmost for world's peace and stability. Moreover, the U.S. has no justification to bring up this issue as it spawned the nuclear issue between the DPRK and the U.S. and sparked nuclear confrontation between them.
    As the international community recognizes unanimously, it is the U.S. that compelled the DPRK to build up a nuclear deterrent force.
    The U.S. has so far used the verification issue through inspection as a leverage to stifle the DPRK system under the pretext of the Safeguards Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency and is still trying to totally disarm the DPRK under the pretext of this verification.
    This is an unbearable insult to the DPRK and intolerable as it is a wanton encroachment upon the sovereign state. It must be reemphasized that the verification issue might be discussed only after the U.S. drops its hostile policy toward the DPRK and the U.S. total removal of its nuclear threat to the DPRK is confirmed.
    As the DPRK proposed at the six-way talks, the inspection issue will be automatically settled if all the measures are taken on the principle of simultaneous actions according to the DPRK's proposal for a package solution.
    If the U.S. fails to do so, the nuclear issue can never be settled but it will entail irretrievable grave consequences.
    The U.S. would be well advised to stop insisting on such unacceptable brigandish assertion as "verification" of the DPRK, withdraw its hostile policy toward the DPRK, conclude a non-aggression treaty and improve DPRK-U.S. relations at an early date.

DPRK Government Gives Reception

    Pyongyang, September 10 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government gave a reception on September 9 at the People's Palace of Culture on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the DPRK. Present at the reception were senior officials of the Party, the state and the army, chairpersons of the friendly parties, members of the Cabinet, deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly and officials of the party, military and power organs, public organizations, ministries and national institutions.
    Among those present were the congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan, congratulatory groups and delegations of compatriots from other regions and overseas compatriots who came here to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the DPRK.
    Present on invitation were the chief of the Pyongyang Mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea, foreign delegations and delegates on a visit to the DPRK, representatives of international organizations, the delegations and delegates of groups for the study of the Juche idea, friendly and solidarity organizations, diplomatic envoys here and foreign guests.
    Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, said in his speech that the 55 years of the DPRK represent a glorious history in which it has traversed an untrodden road of building a unique socialist state under the banner of the Juche idea and a history of victory in which it has brought about epoch-making changes with the might of the single hearted unity, depending on the army.
    The DPRK was provided with a firm political, ideological and military guarantee for dynamically advancing along the orbit of the Juche without any vacillation in any test of history, he said, adding that this is an immensely precious immortal feat performed by President Kim Il Sung for the future development of the Korean revolution and the bright future of the country and the nation.
    The President's cause of building the state of Juche has been successfully carried forward by leader Kim Jong Il in all fields, he noted, and went on:
    The People's Army and people of the DPRK have vigorously pushed forward the cause of building a great prosperous powerful nation and made progress in the movement for national reunification, winning victory after victory in the political and military confrontation with enemies even under the grave situation prevailing in Korea owing to the imperialists' vicious moves to stifle the DPRK. All these landmark events and miracles are a clear proof of the greatness and might of Kim Jong Il's Songun leadership and Songun policy.
    The President will always be with us as the sun of Juche and the DPRK will eternally prosper as a great prosperous powerful nation of Juche under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, who has led the DPRK along the road of sure victory with his experienced and seasoned leadership, comprehensively carrying forward and developing the idea and the cause of the President.

Meeting of Board of Northeastern Asian Telecommunications Company Held

Pyongyang, September 10 (KCNA) -- The 14th meeting of the Board of the Northeastern Asian Telecommunications Company was held here from September 7 to 10. Present at the meeting were Jingjai Hanchanlash, executive vice-president of the Loxley Public Company Limited of Thailand and chairman of the Board of the Loxley Pacific Company Limited of Thailand, members of the delegation of the Loxley Pacific Company Limited of Thailand and Kim In Chol, vice-chairman of the Board of the Northeastern Asian Telecommunications Company, and members of the board.
Discussed at the meeting were the issues related to the operation of communication facilities of the Northeastern Asian Telecommunications Company.

Greetings to Syrian President

    Pyongyang, September 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, today sent a message of greetings to Bashar Al Assad, president of Syria and general secretary of the Central Committee of the Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party, on his 38th birthday. The message said:
    The Syrian Arab people are now making energetic efforts to build a developed and modern Syria and achieve unification and unity of the Arab nations under your leadership.
    We highly praise this and will in the future, too, invariably support the Syrian Arab people in their just cause to retake the occupied Arab land including the Golan Heights and settle the Mideast issue in a just and comprehensive manner.
    Availing myself of this opportunity, I sincerely wish you good health and happiness, convinced that the good relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries would further develop in conformity with the desire and interests of the two peoples.

Mass Gymnastic Display Held

    Pyongyang, September 10 (KCNA) -- A mass gymnastic display "Songun Korea" was held by schoolchildren here at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium today in celebration of the 55th anniversary of the DPRK. The display was appreciated by senior officials of the Party, the state and the army, chairpersons of the friendly parties, members of the DPRK Cabinet, deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK and working people in the city.
    Present on invitation were delegations and delegates from different countries, delegations and delegates of organizations for the study of the Juche idea and friendship and solidarity organizations on a visit to the DPRK, representatives of international organizations, diplomatic envoys of different countries and foreign guests.
    The mass gymnastic display consisted of several chapters such as "Great, Our Republic", "Our Leader Is Father of Socialist Korea", "Korea, I Will Glorify Thee", "For the Building of Great Prosperous Powerful Nation under the Songun Leadership", "The Country Shining with Independence" and "May Songun Korea Be Eternally Prosperous".

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il felicita a participantes en Congreso de Heroes

    Pyongyang, 10 de septiembre (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, se encontro el dia 9 con los participantes en el Congreso de Heroes de la Epoca del Songun (priorizacion militar) para felicitarlos. El Dirigente llego al Palacio Memorial Kumsusan, lugar de filmacion. Los participantes en el Congreso le dieron una calurosa bienvenida rindiendo la maxima gloria y el mas caluroso agradecimiento al Dirigente quien desplego la gran epoca del Songun, formo el ejercito y el pueblo de Corea como heroes de la epoca y creadores de las proezas prodigandoles esmerada atencion e hizo de nuestra patria un pais de los heroes.
    El Dirigente respondio cordialmente a los participantes quienes llenos de gran emocion lanzaban entusiastas aclamaciones hacia el.
    Estaban presentes tambien Kim Yong Nam, Jo Myong Rok, Pak Pong Ju y otros cuadros directivos del Partido, el Estado y el ejercito, asi como los secretarios responsables de los comites provinciales del PTC y los presidentes de los comites populares provinciales.
    El Dirigente se fotografio junto a los participantes en el Congreso luego de felicitar calurosamente a estos quienes al dar pruebas de su infinita fidelidad al partido y el lider y abnegacion patriotica acumularon las proezas heroicas ante la patria y la revolucion y cumplen brillantemente la causa revolucionaria del Songun del PTC.
    Expreso la esperanza y la conviccion de que los participantes en el congreso viviran y lucharan heroicamente tomando la delantera de la marcha del nuevo siglo y cumpliran asi con su deber y papel de precursores de la epoca.