Temple Restored

     Pyongyang, October 26 (KCNA) -- The Puyong Temple in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province, was successfully restored to its former glory. A ceremony for the completion of the temple was held on the spot on Oct. 25.
    Read out at the ceremony was a message of thanks leader Kim Jong Il sent to officials and builders for having contributed to the restoration of the temple.
    Kim Un Gi, chief secretary of the South Hwanghae Provincial Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, made a report, which was followed by speeches.
    The reporter and speakers recalled that President Kim Il Sung saw the Puyong Temple in August Juche 37 (1948) and gave an instruction to preserve and manage well the historical relics and remains. Later he taught an orientation and ways of restoring the Puyong Temple, which was severely destroyed by an air raid of the U.S. imperialists, to its original state on the principle of historicism, they said.
    They noted that Kim Jong Il indicated a direction and ways of turning the area around the temple into a place for working people's cultural rest. Officials, builders and working people in the city turned out as one to carry out the behest of the President and instructions of Kim Jong Il and completed such difficult projects as an underwater groundwork for a pavilion in a pond and land levelling, thus successfully completing the restoration of the temple, they said.

WPK Founding Anniversary Commemorated Abroad

     Pyongyang, October 26 (KCNA) -- A meeting, lecture and seminar were held in Lebanon, democratic Congo and Belarus between October 15 and 19 on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 77th anniversary of the formation of the Down-with-Imperialism Union. The vice-chairman of the Socialist Progressive Party of Lebanon, addressing a meeting, said that the Korean people are vigorously advancing, while smashing the anti-DPRK moves of the imperialist allied forces on the forefront of the anti-imperialist struggle under the leadership of the WPK.
    All the progressive countries and people of the world should learn from the heroic fighting spirit of the Korean people and intensify support, cooperation and solidarity with each other in the joint struggle, he pointed out, stressing: We wish the WPK and the Korean people greater victory in the struggle for the development and reunification of the country.
    The chairman of the Group for the Study of Kim Jong Il Juche idea in Democratic Congo said in a lecture that leader Kim Jong Il is carrying forward the revolutionary cause of Juche and that he is leading the party, the army and the people to foil the nuclear racket of the imperialists, achieve great success in the defence of the country and the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and push forward the cause of global independence.
    The chairman of the Belarus Association for the Study of the Juche Idea in a speech referred to the historic significance of the formation of the DIU. He said that the powerful WPK would shine long as a beacon of hope indicating the road of progressive humankind along with the august name of President Kim Il Sung.

Additional Troop Dispatch to Iraq Denounced

     Pyongyang, October 26 (KCNA) -- "National assemblymen" of south Korea denounced the conservative forces for clamouring for the additional troop dispatch to Iraq, according to south Korean KBS. Im Jong Sok, national assemblyman" who had been on a hunger strike for the two consecutive days in protest against the south Korean government's decision on additional troop dispatch, in a statement released on Oct. 20 said that the moves of the hard-liners of the government to build up public opinion to make the additional dispatch of huge combat forces to Iraq an established fact have reached a serious phase and demanded their resignation.
    National assemblyman Sin Ki Nam in an e-mail titled "Stand on the additional troop dispatch to Iraq" on the same day accused the government of using the press to build up public opinion in favor of the dispatch of combat forces, warning that those supporting the additional troop dispatch should be held responsible for it.
    Meanwhile, several student organizations of south Korea including the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils, the South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification and the Seoul District Federation of University Student Councils in their recent commentaries and statements strongly demanded an immediate withdrawal of the decision on the additional troop dispatch to Iraq.

Greetings to Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

     Pyongyang, October 26 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of its independence. Expressing the belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would continue to grow strong, the message wished him and the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines greater success in their work for the prosperity of the country.

U.S. Reckless Blockade against DPRK under Fire

     Pyongyang, October 26 (KCNA) -- The U.S. staged a naval control exercise against DPRK ships in waters off Australia in September and a joint exercise involving 11 countries in London in early October with an aim to check flights of DPRK airliners. Joint exercises of similar forms with the same purpose including the joint drill slated to be staged in the Mediterranean Sea in late October are expected to go on in the future.
    In this regard Minju Joson today in a signed commentary says:
    The U.S. claims that the purpose of such exercises is to prevent the worldwide spread of "weapons of mass destruction ". But this is nothing but sophism to cover up its sinister political and military design against the DPRK.
    It is the U.S. tactics to increase pressure upon the DPRK to force it to meekly yield to Washington's brigandish demand over the nuclear issue.
    The U.S. aerial and naval blockade against the DPRK is an act of infringing upon the sovereignty of an independent state and a wanton violation of and challenge to international law. The U.S. escalated pressure upon the DPRK will only compel the DPRK to strengthen its countermeasures for self-defense.
    If the U.S. sincerely wants the settlement of the nuclear issue, it should refrain from irresponsible actions that may drive the situation to an uncontrollable phase. .

KCNA Slams Japanese Dietmen's Visit to Yasukuni Shrine

     Pyongyang, October 26 (KCNA) -- 19 Japanese Dietmen including the chairman of the Executive Council of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan and their 49 aides recently visited the Yasukuni Shrine. This visit of a huge group of Dietmen to the shrine despite strong protest at home and abroad was a blatant challenge to the Asians including the Korean people who still have bitter grudge against the Japanese imperialists' past aggression.
    Japan has not yet redeemed its past history of bloody aggression committed against Asian countries.
    Japanese politicians' visit to the shrine is not a mere visit to "pay homage to the wardead" but a dangerous political crime as it is aimed to praise and incite militarism and ultranationalism.
    As is well known, the Yasukuni Shrine is a symbol of Japanese militarism as ill-famed fascist war criminals of the Second World War such as Tojo are entombed there.
    That is why Asian people, victims of Japan's past aggression, bitterly condemn Japanese politicians' unceasing visits to the shrine as an unpardonable mockery of them.
    Since its defeat in the war, Japan has persistently revived militarism under the patronage of the United States. The remains of war criminals including Tojo who was prosecuted and sentenced to death at the Fareastern Military Tribunal have been secretly preserved in the shrine and politicians have visited it like stray cats. Now the visit to the shrine has been put on an organized and regular basis.
    This is clearly evidenced by the fact that the Japanese chief executive who had been criticized for his visits to the shrine recently declared that he would continue to visit the shrine, touching off resentment and protest of the Asian countries.
    The visits to the shrine by Japanese cabinet members and dietmen and other politicians are a vivid expression of the strong tendency of the Japanese society to veer to the Right and the Japanese reactionaries' wild ambition for militarization and overseas invasion.
    The Japanese authorities and politicians never forget to pay lip-service to "peace" and "international contribution" in the international arena. But, in actuality, they are pursuing militarism and ultranationalism. This is little short of their intention to evade their responsibility to redress Japan's past and rush headlong into reinvasion.
    Japan would be well advised to behave itself, clearly mindful that its militarist reinvasion leads to its self-destruction.

KCNA Report on U.S. Cancellation of Plan to Send Congress Delegation to DPRK

     Pyongyang, October 26 (KCNA) -- The Korean Central News Agency released the following report today: Curt Weldon, vice-chairman of the Armed Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, recently proposed to visit the DPRK from October 28 to 31 leading a delegation of members of the House.
    The relevant institution of our country consented to the proposal and has prepared an itinerary in such a way as to let the delegation visit the nuclear facility in Nyongbyon as desired by the delegation so that it might watch on the spot the completed reprocessing and the switchover made in the use of plutonium obtained in its course.
    Weldon, however, informed our side on Oct. 24 that the projected visit of the delegation was cancelled due to the opposition of the White House.
    How this attitude of the White House openly blocking even the visit of Congressmen should be interpreted?
    This, of course, is an internal affair of the United States which we have nothing to do with. But it is the view of our relevant field on this matter that this has happened because the Congress delegation will have an opportunity to see for itself the nuclear facility in Nyongbyon.
    We wonder if the administration is not getting nervous about the possibility of the state of our nuclear activity being confirmed by the delegation. Is there any need to do so?
    An action was taken to block even the visit of Congressmen though a formal agreement was reached with other country on its date. This is American-style democracy. This makes us view the present U.S. administration not democratic but dictatorial.

Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il Inspects KPA Unit 370

     Pyongyang, October 26 (KCNA) --Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, inspected KPA Unit 370 on the forefront. After learning about the performance of its duty, he went to the servicemen's hall to acquaint himself with the political work brisk at the unit, looking round various visual information materials.
    He stressed the need to pay primary attention to the ideological education to make all the servicepersons men strong in ideology and faith.
    Looking round the materials on the exploits of heroes and exemplary servicepersons of the unit, he highly praised the officers and men of the unit for the excellent performance of their duties.
    While watching the servicepersons under training, he expressed great satisfaction over the fact that all the servicepersons have grown up to be a-match-for-a hundred combatants possessed of high combat technique and capacity.
    He congratulated them upon their successful training and put forward the important tasks that would serve as guidelines in increasing the combat power of the unit.
    He said the combat power and politico-ideological might of the army have remarkably increased, adding that as this matchless huge army that has grown to be an invincible army in the rigorous revolutionary struggle remains the standard-bearer, core unit and main force of the Songun revolution, the socialist cause and the cause of the building of a great prosperous powerful nation would be accomplished with credit.
    He looked round an education room, a bedroom, a washroom, an outdoor resting place and other places of the unit to take deep care of the service and living of the servicepersons.
    He met servicepersons of the company of the unit to give them a warm pep talk and enjoy an art performance given by them.
    He gave servicepersons of the unit a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle as gifts and had a photo session with them.
    He was accompanied by KPA Generals Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong and First Vice-Department Directors of the WPK Central Committee Ri Yong Chol and Choe Chun Hwang.

Gift to Kim Jong Il from Thai Delegation

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a gift from a delegation of the Thailand-DPRK Parliament Friendship Group on a visit to the DPRK. The gift was handed to Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on Friday by Picharn Piboonwattanawong, member of the parliament and president of the Thailand-DPRK Parliament Friendship Group, who is heading the delegation.

Withdrawal of Decision on Additional Troop Dispatch to Iraq Urged

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification reportedly made public a statement entitled "Government, immediately withdraw its sycophantic and treacherous decision on troop dispatch and apologize to the people" on October 18. The government's decision on additional troop dispatch to Iraq is a sycophantic and treacherous criminal act sympathetic to the war of aggression, defying the people's opinion opposed to the troop dispatch, 80 percent, the statement said. It is also an anti-national act betraying the people and averting their spirit of loving peace and justice.
    The statement charged that the decision constitutes an approval of the U.S. nuclear war in the Korean peninsula aimed at the DPRK and an act of driving all fellow countrymen to a swamp of nuclear holocaust.
    The organization will fight for withdrawal of the decision with might and main together with the people, stressed the statement.

Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's Immortal Work Observed

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today dedicates a signed article to the 13th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's famous work "On Having a Correct Viewpoint and Understanding of the Juche Philosophy". The work published on Oct. 25, Juche 79 (1990) comprehensively clarifies the issues of intrinsic nature of man and his existence as a social being, co-relations of three transformations and co-relations among the three aspects of social life and other matters arising in correctly understanding the Juche philosophy.
    The article says:
    Kim Jong Il's ideological and theoretical exploits lie in that he firmly upheld the purity of the Juche idea as the popular masses-centred philosophy and clarified the revolutionary view and stand to be maintained in thinking and study of the philosophical problem.
    He in the work resolutely repudiated the evolutionist viewpoint of explaining the intrinsic nature of man in the light of the difference in the level of development of biological existence and the diversity and complexity of combination structure and mode and clarified that it is the social attribute formed and developed socially and historically under any circumstances.
    He clarified the essential difference between a social being and natural being and scientifically proved that man is a unique social being.
    He scientifically substantiated the law of unification and struggle of opposite objects, co-relations among the three transformations and co-relations among the three aspects of social life on the basis of the practical experience of the development of the Korean revolution, thus lucidly explaining the validity and advantages of the Juche philosophy instrumental in revolutionary practice.

Withdrawal of Decision on Additional Troop Dispatch to Iraq Demanded

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- The south Korean authorities should cogitate about the grave consequences to be entailed by their traitorous decision on additional troop dispatch to Iraq and unconditionally withdraw the improper anti-national decision, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary. The commentary dismisses the decision as a despicable sycophantic and traitorous action little short of selling out the sovereignty and the interests of the country and the nation to meet the interests of foreign aggressors, yielding to them, bereft of any elementary political independence and national dignity.
    It continues:
    The theory of "state interests" is sycophantic and traitorous logic calling for depending on outsiders as it is nothing but sophism to justify the decision on the additional troop dispatch.
    South Korea's dispatch of troops to Iraq would bring it nothing good but cause only casualties and losses. Through this south Korea seeks to please the U.S. by joining in its moves of aggression and occupation to help it meet its greedy interests.
    This is a revelation of the way of thinking depending on outsiders peculiar to south Korea bereft of national identity.
    The hypocrisy of the authorities' talk about the "state interests" is clearly proved by the fact that they are trying to justify the decision with the veil of "world peace" and link it to the "peaceful settlement" of the nuclear issue between the DPRK and the U.S.
    It is preposterous for south Korea to talk about peace while supporting and joining in the shameful war of aggression opposed by the world and rejected even by the UN. It is foolhardy for them to link the troop dispatch to the "peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue". It is illogical to support and join in the war of aggression launched by the outsiders to prevent a war to be launched by outsiders. The troop dispatch to Iraq would neither help ensure peace on the Korean peninsula nor protect the well-being of the nation. On the contrary, it would encourage the U.S. in its hostile policy toward the DPRK and its moves to provoke a war against the country. The south Korean authorities should clearly understand that their dispatch of more troops to Iraq to support the outsiders in their acts of aggression will be a thrice-cursed traitorous act of fanning the U.S. war hysteria and its brigandish unilateralism and bringing a war to the Korean peninsula. If south Korea finally and additionally sends troops to Iraq it would be little short of repeating the disgraceful history in the past when it dispatched troops to Vietnam and adding to the crimes it committed against history and the nation in the past.

Japanese Reactionaries' Wild Ambition for Overseas Aggression Flayed

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today in a signed commentary denounces the Japanese reactionaries for working with bloodshot eyes to realize their militarist ambition for overseas aggression. Their recent attitude and moves as regards the visit to the "Yasukuni Shrine" clearly show how desperately they are working to lay a legal springboard from which to realize militarism and overseas aggression, the commentary says, and goes on:
    They are keen to legalize the visit to the shrine and put it on a regular basis in a bid to cover up the injustice and reactionary nature of militarism and create an atmosphere favorable for their overseas aggression.
    It is an important political aim sought by the Japanese authorities at present to round off the preparations for overseas aggression at an early date.
    The Japanese reactionaries are employing all possible means and moving heaven and earth to carry it out. This is evidenced by Japan's response to the U.S. demand for troop dispatch to Iraq.
    Japan's militarist overseas aggression would lead to self-destruction, the commentary warns, urging the Japanese reactionaries to clearly face up to the trend of the times and the reality with reason and behave themselves.

Sports and Cultural Festival for National Reunification and Peace Opens

     Jeju, October 24 (KCNA Correspondent) -- The sports and cultural festival for national reunification and peace was opened on Jeju Island, south Korea, on Oct. 24. Present at the opening ceremony were members of the north side's delegation led by Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the National Reconciliation Council who is chairman of the north side's preparatory committee for the festival, Ri Chang Dong, minister of Culture and Tourism of south Korea, the co-chairmen of the south side's organizing committee for the festival, other officials and southerners.
    U Kun Min, governor of Jeju Island, made a welcoming address, which was followed by congratulatory speeches.
    Kim Yong Dae said that holding the festival on Jeju Island is another proud fruit of the historic Pyongyang meeting of the top leaders of the north and the south and the June 15 joint declaration.
    He called upon all the fellow countrymen to pool their efforts and wisdom to implement the joint declaration to the letter, taking hold on it as a landmark for reunification common to the nation as its validity and vitality have been clearly proved in practice and it brought about such a proud reality today.
    Then the floor was taken by Kim Won Ung, representative of the People's Party for Reform who is co-chairman of the south side's organizing committee for the festival.
    A rainbow appeared from Mt. Paektu to Mt. Halla, he said.
    This rainbow represents a dream to build a beautiful country and our standing at this place means a promise to go on hand in hand free from foreign domination and a promise to stand against a war and hand a beautiful country down to posterity.
    Then representatives of the sportspersons in the north and the south entered the festival ground, holding torches lit on Mt. Paektu, a holy mountain of the nation, and Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, and kindled the flame of the festival.
    An art performance was given in congratulation of the opening of the festival.
    At the end of the opening ceremony a north-south women's football game took place.
    The women's eleven of the north side won the match 4:0.
    On the same day a Pyongyang art and handicraft exhibition was held as part of the festival.
    That day Korean wrestlers of the north and south were divided into "peace" and "reunification" teams and had a competition.
    There were also swinging and seesawing demonstrations of the north side's players. The festival continues.

"Agreement" on Transfer of U.S. Military Base Concluded under Coercion

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- It was brought to light that the United States illegally concluded the "Agreement on the Transfer of the U.S. Army Base in Ryongsan" in 1990 and, after that, deliberately put pressure on the south Korean "government" to "legalize" it. South Korean Yonhap News disclosed the truth on the basis of a document of the then "Security Planning Board" titled "Necessary measures for the implementation of the agreement on the transfer of the U.S. army base in Ryongsan," obtained from An Yong Gun, a "national assemblyman" from the New United Party.
    According to the document dated May, 1991, the "South Korea-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement" stipulated that the agreement would come into force only when it was signed by Pan Ki Mun, director of the American Affairs Bureau of the south Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the deputy commander of the U.S. forces in south Korea, who were the representatives of both sides at the joint committee of the SOFA. But the U.S. let the south Korean minister of National Defense and the commander of the U.S. forces in south Korea, not responsible for the conclusion of the agreement, sign it, disregarding such procedure in order to avoid the trouble that might surface in the course of consultation. When there was a strong assertion within the south Korean "government" that the agreement was illegal and invalid as it bore no signature of the south Korean side's representative the U.S. instructed the deputy commander of the U.S. forces in south Korea to force Pan Ki Mun to sign the unilaterally drafted paper which said that he recognized the legality of the agreement in May 1991.
    This U.S. arrogant act is touching off bitter indignation among the south Korean people.

Anniversary of Chinese People's Volunteers' Entry into Korean Front Observed

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- Papers here today observe the anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers' entry into the Korean front (October 25, 1950). Rodong Sinmun in a signed article says:
    The CPV rushed to the Korean front under the banner of "Resisting America and aiding Korea, safeguarding the home and defending the motherland". They fought heroic battles against the imperialist aggressor forces in the same trenches with the Korean People's Army. The militant friendship and cooperative relations were fully demonstrated and consolidated between the two armies and peoples during the Korean war.
    The peoples of the two countries created the tradition of sharing feelings and helping each other during the common struggle against the Japanese imperialists and many Korean sons and daughters directly participated in the Chinese revolutionary civil war and performed heroic feats.
    The DPRK-China friendship, which has a long history and tradition, has grown stronger day after day despite ordeals and storms. And the history of this friendship is given steady continuity in the new century, too.
    Today the Chinese people are achieving successes in the dynamic drive to turn China into a modern socialist country, guided by the main idea of the "three represents", under the leadership of the Communist Party of China with Hu Jintao as its general secretary.
    It is the invariable policy of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government to boost the friendship with China generation after generation. The long-standing DPRK-China friendship will grow stronger thanks to the joint efforts of the two parties, governments and peoples.
    Minju Joson in an article says that the feats performed by the martyrs of the CPV during the great Fatherland Liberation War of the Korean people will shine forever together with the history of the daily developing DPRK-China friendship.

U.S. Obstructions to DPRK Denounced

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- The United States caused many difficulties to the Korean people by suspending the supply of heavy fuel oil to the DPRK, said Monica Gail Moorehead, member of the leadership of the Workers' World Party of the United States of America, at a lecture given before the participants in the conference of the party on Oct. 11. She visited the DPRK earlier. This U.S. action compelled the DPRK to resume the nuclear program to meet the country's energy need, she said, adding that the Bush administration's assertion that the DPRK is going to attack the U.S. and other countries of the world does not stand to reason.
    She introduced the reality in the DPRK, noting that the DPRK government is granting its people social benefits despite manifold difficulties.
    Recalling that the U.S. killed millions of Koreans in cold blood and reduced Korea into debris during the last Korean war and is now keen to launch a new war to invade the DPRK, she contended that but for the U.S. obstructions Korea would have long been reunified.

DPRK Delegate Speaks at UN General Assembly Session

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea affirms that it will in the future, too, fulfil its international duty for promotion of children's welfare and building of a world for children as a signatory to the children's rights convention. The DPRK delegate said this in a speech when agenda item 113 "Protection and Promotion of Children's Rights" was discussed at the meeting of the Third Committee of the 58th Session of the UN General Assembly on Oct. 20. It is necessary to establish a policy of giving importance to children and arrange credible institutional mechanisms for its implementation with a view to ensuring the existence, protection and development of children, he said, and went on:
    In this regard, it is important to pay public concern to children's rights, give priority to investment in guarantee of vital rights, public health and education of children and consistently improve the quality and method of education of children in particular.
    It is essential to jointly strive to create an international environment favorable to the existence, protection and development of children. It is necessary for international organizations and donation countries to allot more funds to the existence and protection of children and actively cooperate with member nations in their efforts to implement the children's rights convention.
    He expressed thanks to the UN Children's Fund, the UNESCO, the UN Population Fund and other international organizations for their sincere material and technical aid to the work for protection and promotion of children's rights in the DPRK.

Greetings to Austrian Federal President

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Thomas Klestil, federal president of Austria, on Oct. 24 on the occasion of the national day of Austria. Expressing the belief that the relations between the DPRK and Austria would develop in the mutual interests in the future, too, the message wished him success in his work for prosperity of the country.

Wreaths Laid before Friendship Tower

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- Wreaths were laid before the Friendship Tower today to mark the 53rd anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers' entry into the Korean front. Present at the wreath-laying ceremony were Secretary Kim Yun Hyok of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Vice-Department Director Kim Thae Jong of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Vice-Minister Kim Sang Ik of the People's Armed Forces, Vice-Minister Kung Sok Ung of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned.
    Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wu Donghe and his embassy officials were on hand.
    Lining up at the Friendship Tower were guards of honor of the Korean People's Army. Amidst the playing of the wreath-laying music a wreath was placed at the Friendship Tower in the joint name of the WPK Central Committee and the SPA Presidium and the Cabinet of the DPRK.
    Then followed wreaths in the name of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of People's Security, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Culture, in the joint name of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the DPRK-China Friendship Association Central Committee and in the joint name of the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK and the Pyongyang City People's Committee.
    Also laid there were bunches of flowers from working people in the city.
    The participants observed a moment's silence in memory of the martyrs of the CPV.
    Laid at the cemetery of martyrs of the CPV at Hyongjesan District on the same day were wreaths from the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK, the Pyongyang City People's Committee, the Hyongjesan District, Pyongyang, Committee of the WPK, the Hyongjesan District People's Committee and a KPA unit.
    Wreaths were also placed at cemeteries of CPV martyrs in Hoechang and Kaesong.
    This day the Chinese embassy here and the Central Committee of the Association of Chinese Residents in Korea placed wreaths at the Friendship Tower and the cemetery of martyrs of the CPV in Hyongjesan District, Pyongyang.
    On the same day, the Chinese consulate general in Chongjin laid a wreath at the cemetery of martyrs of the CPV in Onsong.

Spokesman for DPRK FM on U.S.-Proposed Written Assurances of Non-Aggression

     Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry today gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA as regards the U.S. recent expression of its intention to provide the DPRK with written assurances of non-aggression: We have maintained the consistent stand to settle the nuclear issue on the principle of simultaneous actions after advancing a proposal for a package solution whose ultimate goal is to realize the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
    The fairest way of ultimately seeking a peaceful solution to the nuclear problem is to build confidence through simultaneous actions now that the DPRK and the U.S. are in the hostile relationship due to the more than half a century-long extreme mistrust and confrontation between the two sides.
    The nuclear issue between the two countries will be settled simply if the DPRK's proposal for a package solution based on the principle of simultaneous actions is realized.
    Simple and clear is our request.
    What we want is for both sides to drop guns and establish normal state relationship to co-exist peacefully.
    The unilateral demand that one of the two belligerent parties forces the other party to drop guns and come out first with its hands up can never be met.
    President Bush was reported to have proposed to resume the six-way talks when the recent APEC summit was under way in Thailand, saying that he can provide the DPRK with written assurances of non-aggression.
    We are ready to consider Bush's remarks on the "written assurances of non-aggression" if they are based on the intention to co-exist with the DPRK and aimed to play a positive role in realizing the proposal for a package solution on the principle of simultaneous actions.
    This stance is prompted by the expectation that the DPRK and the U.S. can build confidence and lay a foundation of co-existence in the course of solving issues one after another on the principle of simultaneous actions.
    We have already informed the U.S. side of it through the channel of New York contact and are now in the process of ascertaining the real intention of the U.S.
    The U.S. side reiterated its stance to attach importance to the New York contact and pursue it.
    It is premature to talk about the six-way talks under the present situation unless the will to accept the principle of simultaneous actions is confirmed.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il inspecciona la Unidad No. 894 del EPC

     Pyongyang, 25 de octubre (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 salio a la primera linea del frente para inspeccionar la Unidad No. 894 del EPC que recibio el titulo de Septimo Regimiento de O Jung Hup. En la sala de mando operacional el Comandante Supremo se entero detalladamente del estado de cumplimiento del deber de la Unidad.
    Se mostro muy satisfecho por los grandes exitos que lograron todos los oficiales y soldados de la Unidad en sus perseverantes esfuerzos por materializar cabalmente la linea militar autodefensiva del PTC, evaluo altamente sus proezas e indico las tareas programaticas para fortalecer por todos los medios la combatividad de la Unidad.
    En la casa de militares el Dirigente, al ver los registros de trayectoria de la Unidad y los datos de lucha de los heroes, la elogio diciendo que habia realizado brillantes proezas en la sagrada lucha por defender las conquistas del socialismo.
    El Comandante Supremo, al recorrer la sala de estudio de ciencia militar acondicionada especificamente, recalco la necesidad de preparar firmemente a los militares como valerosos combatientes listos a pelear a solas contra cien enemigos.
    Seguidamente, recorrio la sala de educacion, el dormitorio, el comedor, la sala de elaboracion de alimentos, el deposito de alimentos subsidiarios, el invernadero de verduras y otros lugares de la Unidad para prodigar cordial atencion a la vida de los militares.
    Y vio una funcion artistica de los militares de una compania subordinada directamente a la Unidad y se fotografio junto a los oficiales y soldados de esta.
    Le acompanaron los generales de ejercito del EPC Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae y Pak Jae Gyong y los primeros subjefes de departamento del CC del PTC, Ri Yong Chol y Choe Chun Hwang.

Kim Jong Il recibe presente de una delegacion de Tailandia

     Pyongyang, 25 de octubre (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio presente de la delegacion del grupo de parlamentarios de amistad Tailandia-Corea de visita en nuestro pais. El parlamentario M. P. Picharn Piboonwattanawong, presidente de dicho grupo se lo entrego el dia 24 a traves de Choe Thae Bok, presidente de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.

Inaugurado Festival Deportivo y Cultural por la Reunificacion Nacional y la Paz

     Jeju, 24 de octubre (Corresponsal de ATCC) -- Quedo inaugurado el dia 24 en la isla Jeju de Corea del Sur el Festival Deportivo y Cultural por la Reunificacion Nacional y la Paz. Participaron los miembros de la delegacion de la parte Norte presidida por Kim Yong Dae, presidente del Consejo por la Reconciliacion Nacional y del comite preparatorio del festival, Ri Chang Dong, ministro de Cultura y Turismo de Corea del Sur, los copresidentes del Comite Organizador del Festival de la parte Sur, personalidades de distintos sectores y habitantes surcoreanos.
    U Kun Min, gobernador de la isla Jeju pronuncio un discurso de bienvenida y otros hicieron discursos de felicitacion.
    Al hacer uso de la palabra, Kim Yong Dae dijo que el Festival Deportivo y Cultural por la Reunificacion Nacional y la Paz en la isla Jeju es un fruto orgulloso del historico encuentro en Pyongyang de los maximos dirigentes del Norte y del Sur y la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio.
    Subrayo que todos los coreanos deben tomar como jalon comun de la nacion para la reunificacion esta Declaracion cuya justeza y vitalidad fueron comprobadas claramente a traves de la practica y que produjo la orgullosa realidad de hoy, y ejecutarla cabalmente con la fuerza y la inteligencia unidas de toda la nacion.
    Kim Won Ung, representante del Partido Popular por la Reforma y copresidente del Comite Organizador del Festival de la parte Sur, hizo uso de la palabra.
    El dijo:
    Se tendio un arco iris del monte Paektu al Halla que simboliza el sueno de construir un pais hermoso. Nuestro encuentro aqui es la promesa de no soltar las manos tomadas entre si, de no volver a vivir bajo la dominacion de las fuerzas extranjeras, de oponerse a la guerra y legar el pais hermoso a las generaciones venideras.
    Acto seguido, en el lugar del festival entraron los representantes de deportistas del Norte y el Sur con los fuegos sagrados prendidos en el Paektu, sagrado monte de la nacion coreana y en el Halla de la isla Jeju y prendieron fuego a la torre de antorcha.
    Hubo una funcion artistica de saludo a la apertura del festival.
    Al termino del acto de apertura tuvo lugar el partido de futbol femenino entre el Norte y el Sur de Corea. Las norcoreanas vencieron con 4:0 a las surcoreanas.
    El mismo dia, como un eslabon del festival esta montada la exposicion de bellas artes, bordados y productos de artes menores de Pyongyang.
    Tuvieron lugar tambien la competencia de Sirum (lucha coreana) entre los jugadores de ambas partes divididos en dos equipos: "Paz" y "Reunificacion" y la representacion ejemplar del juego de columpio y salto sobre el balancin de los norcoreanos.
    El festival continua.

RPDC cumplira su deber internacional como pais signatario de un Convenio

     Pyongyang, 25 de octubre (ATCC) -- La Republica Popular Democratica de Corea cumplira en el futuro tambien su deber internacional como pais signatario del Convenio de los Derechos Infantiles en la labor de fomentar el bienestar infantil y construir un nuevo mundo para los ninos. Expuso esta posicion el delegado de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, el dia 20, en su discurso pronunciado durante el debate de la agenda No.113 "Fomento y proteccion de derechos infantiles" en la reunion de la 3a comision del 58 periodo de sesiones de la Asamblea General de la ONU.
    Apunto que para propiciar la supervivencia, proteccion y progreso de los ninos se debe trazar la politica de aprecio a la infancia y preparar confiables aparatos institucionales para llevarla a la practica.
    Con respecto a este objetivo preciso que es preciso elevar la atencion social a los derechos infantiles y dar prioridad a la inversion en la labor de asegurar los derechos de existencia, salud y educacion de los ninos y, mejorar incesantemente la calidad y metodologia de la educacion infantil.
    Al subrayar que es imprescindible hacer esfuerzos comunes por crear el ambiente mundial favorable a la supervivencia, proteccion y progreso de los infantes, senalo que es necesario que las organizaciones internacionales y los paises donantes asignen mas fondos a las actividades para la existencia y proteccion de los ninos y cooperen activamente con los paises miembros que se esfuerzan por cumplir dicho convenio.
    Al finalizar su discurso agradecio a las organizaciones internacionales en particular al Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia (UNICEF), la Organizacion de la ONU para la Educacion, la Ciencia y la Cultura (UNESCO) y el Fondo de la ONU para la Poblacion, por su sincera asistencia material y tecnica al fomento y proteccion de los derechos infantiles en la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.