"Seven Lyra" Prize Awarded to Kim Jong Il

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- "Seven Lyra" Prize was awarded to leader Kim Jong Il at an inaugural ceremony of the "Seven Lyra" Music and Dance Olympics held in Budapest on Dec. 14. The prize was conveyed to the DPRK ambassador to the country by the founder of the "Seven Lyra" Music and Dance Olympics.
    Written on the prize are words "'Seven Lyra' Prize for 2003. Tribute to the Korean Music and Dance Culture. 'Seven Lyra' Music and Dance Olympics".

Ugandan President on Relations with DPRK

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il is showing deep concern to the development of relations with African countries, true to the noble intention of President Kim Il Sung, for which the Ugandan people are deeply grateful, said Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni when he received DPRK Ambassador to Uganda Kim Pong Gi on December 21. He extended warm congratulations to Kim Jong Il on the significant anniversary of his assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army.
    Under the outstanding leadership of Kim Jong Il, the Korean People's Army has grown into powerful armed forces, said the president.
    Supporting the principled stand of the DPRK regarding the nuclear issue, the president hoped that the north and south of Korea would unite and reunify the country independently by the formula of federation, free from foreign interference.

Functions in Foreign Countries

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Meetings and lectures were held in Rinz of Austria, Khoms and Azizia of Libya and Kampala of Uganda between December 7 and 10 on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army. At a meeting an official of the Rinz City Office Muller highly praised the revolutionary exploits of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, showing with the help of slides pictures of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, Kim Il Sung Square, Kim Il Sung's native home in Mangyongdae and other revolutionary sites and monumental edifices he had taken during his visit to the DPRK.
    He said that in the DPRK the leader, the party and the masses are in single-hearted unity and Songun politics has been embodied successfully. Addressing a meeting, the rector of the Khoms House of Culture said that holding Kim Jong Il in high esteem as supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, the DPRK is making a long drive and that the Korean people are blessed with great leaders.
    Lectures on the subject "Songun politics of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il" and "Songun politics is true politics for the country and the nation" were given.

Evening Gala of Ministry of People's Armed Forces Held

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- An evening gala of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces was held at Jonsung Square on Tuesday to celebrate the 12th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army. Amid the solemn playing of the immortal revolutionary hymn "Song of General Kim Jong Il," servicepersons of the three services of the KPA began dancing at the square. They extended greatest glory and warmest thanks to Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il, dancing to the tunes of the songs "Glory to dear leader Comrade Kim Jong Il," "Dear leader is with us", "Song of three prides" and others.
    Senior officials of the ministry joined them to add to the festive atmosphere.
    Present at the gala were Jo Myong Rok, director of the General Political Department of the KPA, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces, and others.

Reception Given by Indian Ambassador

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- A reception was hosted by Indian Ambassador here Rich Pal Singh at Yanggakdo International Hotel on Tuesday evening on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and the Republic of India. Present on invitation were DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, Ryom Sun Gil, chairman of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea who is chairman of the DPRK-India Friendship Association, Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, other officials concerned and diplomatic envoys of various countries here.
    Staff members of the Indian embassy here were present there.
    Speeches were made there.

Foreign Diplomats Visit Korean Revolution Museum

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- The Korean Revolution Museum was visited by diplomatic envoys of various countries and representatives of international organizations here Tuesday, a day before the 12th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army and the 86th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese war hero. The visitors looked round with keen interest relics and mementoes showing immortal exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Suk in the nation-building and the brilliant revolutionary history of Kim Jong Il.
    At the end of the visit they made entries in the visitor's book.
    Palestinian Ambassador Shaher Mohammed Abdlah wrote that he came to know well about the great feats of Kim Jong Suk who brought a future to Korea and expressed belief that under the wise guidance of Kim Jong Il the Korean people would achieve greater progress and prosperity.
    Vietnamese Ambassador Do Thi Hoa in her entry expressed belief that the fraternal Korean people, who built socialist Korea under the wise leadership of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, would certainly build a great prosperous powerful nation and reunify the country independently and peacefully, noting that she came to know better about exploits performed by the three generals of Mt. Paektu on behalf of the Korean revolution.

Women's Celebration Meeting Held

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Members of the Korean Democratic Women's Union held a meeting to sing songs of loyalty under the title "Let us become loyalists devotedly defending General Kim Jong Il, supreme commander of the Korean People's Army" in Pyongyang on Dec. 23 on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of his assumption of the supreme commandership of the KPA and the 86th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese war hero. They raised the curtain with a prologue and chorus "We will win victory, flying the banner of the supreme commander." The performers sang of the reality that with Kim Jong Il assuming the supreme commandership of the revolutionary armed forces, the dignity of the country and the nation has been exalted and the prosperity of the socialist motherland and the happiness of the people are guaranteed.
    They also put on the stage a duet and chorus "we will realize her wish with rifles in hands", a poem and story-telling "A story about greenery" and other numbers, evincing their resolution to learn from the spirit of devotedly defending the leader and the noble traits of Kim Jong Suk and thus become women revolutionaries in the era of Songun.
    Present at the meeting were Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Pak Sun Hui, chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Korean Democratic Women's Union, and other officials concerned and union members in the city.

KCNA Blasts Japan's Move to Establish MD

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- The Japanese government reportedly made a final decision on Dec. 19 at the National Security Meeting and ministerial meeting to introduce the Missile Defense System (MD). According to this, Japan will introduce MD developed by the U.S. and include the fund for it in the draft budget for the fiscal 2004 and will push ahead with increased zeal the deployment of MD to be completed by 2007.
    On Dec. 15 the Japanese government decided to allocate 90 to 100 billion yen for the development of MD in the fiscal 2004.
    This decision of Japan brought to light before the international community its sinister intention to realize its ambition to turn the country into a military giant and launch overseas aggression.
    Japan's move to establish MD can not but arouse protest and denunciation of the people in Northeast Asia including the Korean peninsula as it is a very serious development that escalates tensions in the region and the arms race.
    The Japanese reactionaries claim that MD is the only means for protecting the lives and properties of the people. But this is nothing but sophism to cover up its aggressive and offensive nature.
    Japan has systematically stepped up its move to develop a large carrier rocket under the pretext of "space development."
    In 1969 it created a space development group and in 1989 it decided to intensify research into missile technology as part of its plan to increase the defence capacity. In 1984 it decided to develop perfect prototype rocket easily convertible into an inter-continental ballistic missile and in 1994 launched H-2 large carrier rocket.
    This year it put spy satellites into orbit with the help of H-2A.
    On August 6 it decided to create an integrated unit for missile defense to introduce MD. On November 24 it decided to reexamine the three principles for arms sale, a hurdle in the way of the joint production of interceptor missiles with the U.S.
    Japan's decision to introduce the U.S-developed MD while zealously pushing ahead with the development of its own MD is a revelation of its crafty intention to introduce MD at an early date and strengthen its military nexus with the U.S. and escalate its moves to reinvade Asia with the backing of the U.S.
    What matters is that the Japan is pushing forward its MD plan under the absurd pretext of "missile threat" from the DPRK.
    As the DPRK clarified more than once, the DPRK's missiles are means for self-defence as they are aimed to defend the security and dignity of the country from the hostile forces' moves to stifle it and therefore they do not pose any threat to Japan.
    Japan's introduction of MD has entered the phase of its implementation under the pretext of the "threat" from the DPRK.
    This is aimed, in the final analysis, to realize its intention to convert the country into a military giant and its ambition for expansion overseas.
    The DPRK's production and deployment of missiles for self-defence in face of the U.S. nuclear threat are fundamentally different in their nature from Japan's MD move, which is a serious violation of the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration.
    It is as clear as noonday that the DPRK is the primary target of Japan's MD.
    The people and army of the DPRK are following with high revolutionary vigilance Japan's MD scheme and will increase its self-defence capacity to cope with it.

KCNA Assails S. Korean Authorities' Repressive Campaign

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- The south Korean authorities are persistently resorting to fascist suppression and north-south confrontation by the force of the "Security Law", a leftover of the era of military dictatorship. They are cracking down upon pro-reunification organizations on charges of being "pro-north" and "benefiting the enemy" and raising a whirlwind of suppression against the students' movement and the struggle of workers and peasants for vital rights, branding them as "illegal collective actions."
    As a result, in one year since the present "government" appeared in south Korea, it arrested at least 8,260 people or over 600 more than the number of those arrested in the period of the preceding regime and nearly 800 figures including those who contributed to the realization of the historic Pyongyang meeting and the publication of the June 15 joint declaration were thrown behind bars on charges of the violation of the SL.
    In four months after the present authorities took office they cracked down upon strikes of more than 60 labour movement organizations by force of arms. Even tear gas has reappeared in this fascist suppression.
    Such suppression is an anti-national and anti-reunification act as the present south Korean authorities are more desperately invoking the SL, a product of antagonism and confrontation, and negating the June 15 joint declaration.
    This only stokes disillusion with the present "government" and lashes the south Korean people into fury.
    Fascism can never be a way out.
    The south Korean authorities should face up to reality today when the nation desires reconciliation, cooperation and independent reunification, and stop at once the crackdown upon the pro-reunification organizations and people.

Function against Troop Dispatch Held in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- A function demanding the withdrawal of the plan for troop dispatch to Iraq was reportedly held in Seoul on Dec. 20 under the sponsorship of the People's Action against Troop Dispatch. The function included an anti-war peace concert, a forum of citizens hand-in-hand in Kwanghwamun and a rally of people hand-in-hand. A resolution was read out at the function.
    The resolution strongly urged the "government" authorities to immediately withdraw the decision on the troop dispatch and the "National Assembly" to refuse to ratify the "motion on the troop dispatch." It declared a decisive struggle for implementing the resolution.
    At the end of the function its participants staged a hand-in-hand demonstration toward the building of the "government", chanting "Dissolve plant-like National Assembly", "No troop dispatch" and other slogans.
    As the police authorities encircled the building with its forces and buses for suppression, angry participants marched towards the Sejong Cultural Center and held a candlelight meeting in its front.
    They warned that if the "motion on troop dispatch" passes through the "National Assembly," they would mete out a stern judgement to those assemblymen who supported the troop dispatch through the next year's "general election."
    The People's Action decided to hold a big rally in front of the "National Assembly" building on Dec. 23 and enter into an indefinite hunger strike.

Dissolution of GNP Called for

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Ri Hoe Chang told a press conference on December 15 that he would bear full responsibility for the scandal of "presidential election funds." After that Choe Pyong Ryol and other members of the GNP are letting loose loud-mouthed protestations that the illicit money dealing was a matter related to Ri only and they had nothing to do with it.
    Commenting on this Minju Joson today says:
    The financial scandal last year was a crime committed not by an individual but planned and promoted in an organized way by the GNP. Choe Pyong Ryol and his group, however, are trying to gloss it over by creating the impression that they are not linked with it. But this is the last-ditch effort of those who are driven to a tight corner.
    The south Koreans are lifting up louder voices demanding the disbandment of the GNP after the exposure of the scandal of "presidential election funds." Its dissolution is a matter of time.
    This party is a group of thieves which has gathered lump sums of money in all elections. It is clear that south Korea cannot get rid of corruption and irregularities as long as such group of thieves as the GNP is allowed to ride high and mighty.
    Choe Pyong Ryol and Ri Hoe Chang are the same poisonous herbs that have grown out of the root of the GNP. Poisonous herbs must be rooted out so as to prevent their harm.

Kim Jong Il Lauded As Champion of Justice

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Humankind has long looked for a just and peaceful world. Justice prevails over injustice as progressive humankind is led by Kim Jong Il, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article. It goes on:
    As the Cold War came to an end towards the end of the 20th century and the world greeted a new century the U.S. brigandish logic that its strength and will precisely mean justice was advocated and a violent wind raged to block independence and progress. It was against this backdrop that the DPRK in the East waged a war minus gunfire to defend justice under the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il, great illustrious commander.
    His endless journey for Songun leadership was a long journey for championing justice as it was aimed to protect not only the destiny of Korea but that of humankind and global peace.
    It is thanks to his Songun politics that justice and peace have been won on the international arena and the human cause of independence has made successful progress despite ordeals.
    Progressive humankind will certainly win over injustice, bring about a shining victory of justice and achieve the historic cause of building a just new world as they acclaimed Kim Jong Il as the sun of the 21st century.

Congratulations to Prime Minister of Uzbekistan

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a congratulatory message to Shavkat Mirziyaev upon his appointment as prime minister of Uzbekistan. The message expressed belief that the good friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to favorably develop and wished him success in his responsible work.

Film Show Held for Foreign Diplomats

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- A film show was held at the Taedonggang Club for the Diplomatic Corps for economic and trade councillors corps here on December 24, the 12th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army and the 86th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese war hero. Present there were Ri Ryong Nam, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, and officials concerned.
    The participants enjoyed the Korean documentary film "Bringing about a Great Turn with the Songun Revolutionary Leadership."

Plan for Scientific Cooperation Signed between DPRK and Mongolia

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- A 2004-2005 plan for scientific cooperation was signed between academies of sciences of the DPRK and Mongolia in Ulan Bator on Dec. 19. Present at the signing ceremony were members of a delegation of the Academy of Sciences led by Vice-President Pak Sung Chae from the DPRK side and Vice-President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences T. Galbater and other officials concerned from the opposite side.

FM Spokesman Castigates U.S. for Pulling up DPRK over Religion and Drug Issues

     Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry today gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA as regards the fact that the U.S. pulled up the DPRK again over religion and drug issues: On December 18 the U.S. State Department in its "annual report on international religious freedom" listed the DPRK and other countries as nations of special concern as if it were a world religious judge. On December 19 the U.S. Congressional Research Service issued a report on drug trafficking in which it said effective measures for blockade of the DPRK drug trafficking should be taken.
    The U.S. stereotyped jargon about the fictitious suppression of religion and drug trafficking in the DPRK is a political burlesque which is not worth serious discussion as it is part of the U.S. mean anti-DPRK smear campaign to tarnish the image of the DPRK and justify international "isolation and blockade" against it at any cost.
    The U.S. is persistently conducting the anti-DPRK smear campaign, talking about dialogue without any precondition, which clearly proves that the U.S. policy to isolate and stifle the DPRK internationally remains unchanged.
    During the last Korean war the U.S. troops dropped bombs on churches in the DPRK and destroyed all of them and mercilessly killed tens of thousands of church-goers. This was the most tragic incident recorded in the religious activities in the DPRK.
    Such being the case, the U.S. is now talking about the lack of "religious freedom" in the DPRK. This is a height of folly.
    It is known to the world that freedom of religious belief is fully guaranteed by law in the DPRK and struggle against such crimes against humanity as drug trafficking is being intensified.
    The U.S. is completely mistaken if it thinks that the DPRK will be frightened by such third-rate reports.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il recibe premio "Sevenlyra"

     Pyongyang, 24 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Al Dirigente Kim Jong Il fue concedido el premio "Sevenlyra" en el acto de apertura de la Olimpiada de Musicas y danzas celebrado el dia 14 en Budapest, capital de Hungria. El fundador de dicha Olimpiada lo entrego al embajador coreano en su pais.
    En el premio se leia: "2003, Premio 'Sevenlyra', por consideracion a la cultura de musica y coreografica de Corea, Olimpiada de Musicas y Danzas 'Sevenlyra'".

Infinito amor bordado en largo camino del Songun

     Pyongyang, 24 de diciembre (ATCC) -- El Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea Kim Jong Il sigue tomando un largo camino del Songun (priorizacion militar). Este camino sigue hasta diciembre que va a expirar.
    Tan solo en los ultimos dias, al visitar casi diariamente las unidades del EPC, presto gran atencion a la vida de soldados ofreciendoles el cordial amor y beneficios.
    A la madrugada del 23 de enero, tras velar toda la noche trabajando, diciendo que queria ver a los soldados, visito un puesto de la primera linea del frente a pesar del dia frio y tambien el Dia Primero de Ano Lunar y el primero de mayo fue primero a los militares para felicitarlos.
    Tambien en la estacion veraniega, no cesaba de visitarlos para enterarse de los detalles de su vida: si los soldados que estan de guardia no tienen algunas incomodidades, si no hay humedad en el dormitorio durante la temporada de lluvia, como se cocinan los alimentos subsidiarios, de que calidad es el agua del bano, etc.
    Recientemente, durante la visita a una unidad del EPC hizo conocimiento de las condiciones del dormitorio, el estado de preparaciones para el invierno y el problema de agua potable de los militares y se mostro muy satisfecho de que los miembros dirigentes de esta unidad, con el amor calido a sus soldados, prepararon mejores instalaciones de cultura, educacion e intendencia y asi ofrecieron excelentes condiciones de vida a estos, y dijo cordialmente que deben prestar especial atencion a la vida de los valiosos militares quienes se abniegan a la defensa de la patria.
    Tal largo camino del Songun hizo del EPC un ejercito invencible donde forma un cuerpo integral el Comandante Supremo y los militares.

Velada del MINFAP

     Pyongyang, 24 de diciembre (ATCC) -- En celebracion del 12 aniversario del nombramiento del Dirigente Kim Jong Il como Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea tuvo lugar el dia 23 en la Plaza Jonsung la velada del Ministerio de las Fuerzas Armadas Populares. En medio de la interpretacion del inmortal himno revolucionario "Cancion del General Kim Jong Il" los oficiales y soldados de las fuerzas terrestres, navales y aereas comenzaron a bailar.
    Todos los participantes bailaron al compas de "Gloria al querido camarada Dirigente", "El querido Dirigente siempre con nosotros", "Cancion de 3 orgullos" y otras canciones expresando la maxima gloria y el mas cordial agradecimiento al Comandante Supremo.
    Los funcionarios dirigentes del citado ministerio ejecutaron danzas junto con soldados fomentando mas un ambiente festivo de esta velada.
    Asistieron al acto el jefe de la Direccion Politica General Jo Myong Rok y el jefe del Estado Mayor General Kim Yong Chun, del EPC, el ministro de las Fuerzas Armadas Populares Kim Il Chol, etc.