Preparatory Committee Inaugurated in Mongolia

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- An inaugural ceremony of a preparatory committee for the "Month of Celebrating the Sun of the 21st Century" was held by the Federation of Peace and Friendship Organization of Mongolia on Jan. 28. Ch. Surenjav, chairman of the Mongolia-Korea Friendship Society, was elected chairman of the preparatory committee at the ceremony.
    The committee set the period from February to April "Month of Celebrating the Sun of the 21st Century" and adopted a decision of holding colorful political and cultural functions in this period and discussed an action program.

Celebration Meetings Held in Democratic Congo

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Meetings were held on Jan.23 and 26 on the occasion of the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il under the sponsorship of the Genuine Lumumbist Patriotic Party of Democratic Congo and the People's Rally for Socialism of Democratic Congo.
    Present there were Otete Gaston Mboyo, chairman of the National Committee of the Genuine Lumumbist Patriotic Party of Democratic Congo, and his party members and Jean Baptiste Nkoy, general secretary of the People's Rally for Socialism of Democratic Congo, and his party members.
    Reports and speeches were made at the meetings.
    The reporters and speakers said that Kim Jong Il is the most experienced and greatest politician in the international community today. They stressed that he has further developed in depth the Juche idea and made great contributions to the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence.
    They highly praised him for having smashed every nuclear racket of the U.S. with his Songun politics and thus performed shining exploits in building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and achieving the cause of national reunification.
    They extended firm support to the Korean people in their struggle to attain higher goals on the three fronts of politics and ideology, anti-imperialism and military affairs and economy and science.

Women's Solidarity Formed in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- A "women's solidarity for the replacement of corrupt politicians through the general election"under the "citizens' solidarity for the upcoming 2004 general election" was inaugurated in Seoul on Jan. 29, according to south Korean KBS. A declaration was released at the inaugural ceremony.
    The declaration said that the housewives would never remain silent any longer but come out in a struggle for political reforms under the present situation in which the political instability leads to family unrest.
    The declaration stressed that for this, the organization would take an active part in the movement of the citizens' solidarity to defeat the corrupt national assemblymen.

Chairman of 12th -Term Hanchongryon Elected

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Paek Jong Ho, chairman of the General Student Council of University of Foreign Studies, was elected chairman of the 12th -Term South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) at an extraordinary meeting of deputies to Hanchongryon held at Yonsei University in Seoul on Jan. 31, according to the south Korean KBS and MBC. At the press conference held at the end of the meeting, he said Hanchongryon would conduct diverse activities in the future including actions against the Grand National Party. Students would struggle as befitting members of Hanchongryon by inheriting the history of the student movement, he stressed.

Preparatory Committee Formed in Bangladesh

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- A preparatory committee for celebrating February 16, the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il, and commemorating the Day of the Sun and July 8, the day of the demise of President Kim Il Sung, was formed in Bangladesh on Jan. 28. The committee was made up of leaders of several political parties and prominent figures of the Bangladesh Institute of the Juche Idea, the Bangladesh-Korea Friendship Association and public organizations.
    Rashed Khan Menon, chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, was elected chairman of the preparatory committee.
    The 1st meeting of the committee discussed the issues of holding a celebration meeting, seminar, film show, photo exhibition and other colorful functions on the occasion of the Day of the Sun and February 16, setting the period from June 15 to July 15 this year as a "month of earnestly longing for the great leader of the Korean people Comrade Kim Il Sung" and holding various functions in this period.
    It also decided to put various functions on an annual basis.

Evening for Acquittal of Patriots in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- An "Evening of support" for acquittal of patriotic champions of reunification was reportedly held in Seoul on Jan.28. Members of 40 civic and public organizations were present at the gathering sponsored by the Measure Committee for Acquittal of Ri Jong Rin and Min Kyong U.
    At the gathering the speakers called for abolishing the Security Law and realizing national cooperation under the banner of the June 15 joint declaration.
    Ri Jong Rin, honorary chairman of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification, who is under investigation without detention on charges of violating the SL, condemned security authorities' suppression and asserted that the government authorities should take the lead in abolishing the SL, if they want to implement the joint declaration and realize the long-cherished desire of the nation.
    At the gathering a letter written in prison by Min Kyong U, director of the secretariat of the Reunification Solidarity, was read out.
    The gathering was followed by a performance of different organisations condemning the security authorities' suppression.

Anti-Imperialist and Anti-War Struggle Called for

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- It is a common task and strategic commitment of humankind to intensify the anti-imperialist and anti-war struggle for peace in order to check and frustrate the imperialists' moves for aggression and war, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article. It goes on:
    The dominationist moves of the imperialist aggression forces at present have reached their height. Under this situation the people can never realize their desire and demand for independence nor achieve the peaceful development of the world in the new century unless their blatant aggression and interference are checked.
    The anti-war struggle is the main form of the struggle for world peace at present and its principal target is the United States.
    The U.S. imperialists are the chieftain of aggression and war and the principal disturber of peace in the 21st century.
    It is impossible to avert a war and achieve the world peace without a struggle against the U.S. imperialists.
    The world remains so disturbed and peace and order are harassed due to the U.S. imperialists' moves for aggression and war.
    Few countries desirous of independence are free from the U.S. threat of military intervention and aggression.
    Only when all the anti-imperialist, independent peace-loving forces of the world fight against the U.S. imperialists' moves for aggression and war is it possible to avert a war and ensure world peace.
    The people of all countries of the world should lift their anti-war, anti-U.S. voices and bind Yankees hands and foot to keep them from starting a war.
    Wrong is the logic that one may exert little effort and others should make greater efforts in the struggle for peace. Remaining indifferent to others shedding blood is little short of inviting the danger of aggression to oneself.
    If any country ceases to struggle for peace or vacillates in the struggle or budges from it, this will result in weakening the struggle for peace against war and causing its setback. There will be lasting peace when the moves of the U.S. imperialists for aggression and war are checked and they are dismembered in all parts of the world.

Rodong Sinmun on Revolutionary Idea of President Kim Il Sung

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries a signed article titled "Characteristic features of revolutionary idea of the great Comrade Kim Il Sung" on the threshold of the 30th anniversary of the proclamation of the programme of modeling the whole Party and society on the Juche idea. The characteristic features of the revolutionary idea of Kim Il Sung are that the revolutionary theories and leadership methods are integrally systematized on the basis of the great Juche idea with it as the essence, the article says, and goes on:
    His revolutionary idea is an entirely new and original idea which is distinguished from the preceding revolutionary ideas of the working class in its content and composition.
    The primary features of his revolutionary idea are that the Juche idea is its essence. This means in one word that it has the Juche idea as its ideological, theoretical and methodological basis. All the principles, propositions and the whole system and contents of his revolutionary idea are unfolded and systematized on the basis of the Juche idea.
    The fundamental features of his idea are also that the revolutionary theories and leadership methods are systematized in an integral way on the basis of the Juche idea.
    The revolutionary theories of Juche are comprehensively elucidated from a new angle and systematized in an integral way on the basis of the Juche idea.
    The revolutionary theories of Juche proceed from the Juche idea and are run through with it, which means that they are revolutionary theories which indicate all the theories and strategies and tactics on the revolution and construction with the popular masses, the masters of the revolution, in their center.
    The leadership methods of Juche propound all the theories and methods of leadership including the essence and principles of revolutionary leadership, the leadership system and art for enhancing the position and role of the popular masses in the revolution and construction, proceeding from the Juche idea. The essential features of the leadership methods of Juche lie in they consummate the revolutionary leadership methods of effecting social changes by enhancing to the maximum the position and role of the popular masses, the master and driving force of the revolution and construction.
    The revolutionary idea of Kim Il Sung has intrinsic features which distinguish it from the preceding revolutionary theories not only in contents but also in composition. It constitutes the system of idea, theory and method and it is the system of the idea, theory and method of Juche all the components of which are systematized in an integral way on the basis of the Juche idea.
    The invincible might of his revolutionary idea is firmly guaranteed by its essence and the integrity, profundity and original composition of its ideological and theoretical contents based on it.
    His revolutionary idea is throwing brighter light thanks to leader Kim Jong Il. The Songun idea of Juche set forth by Kim Jong Il in compliance with the conditions of the present times and lawful requirements of the developing revolution is an idea that has its roots in the revolutionary idea of Kim Il Sung and has been created in the course of the struggle to apply it and it is also the invincible militant banner for the final victory of his idea.

Plenary Meetings of DPRK Public Organizations Held

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- The 28th Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, the 43rd Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the Korean Democratic Women's Union, the 51st Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea and the 46th Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea were held here on Feb. 2 and 3. The plenary meetings discussed tasks of the organizations to carry through the tasks set forth in this year's joint editorial.
    Noting that the general task this year is to conduct a revolutionary offensive on the three fronts of politics and ideology, anti-imperialism and military affairs and economy and science to attain a higher goal in building a great prosperous powerful nation, the plenary meetings called for conducting a general offensive on all fronts in the mode of Songun politics. The meetings also called on all the officials to make a breakthrough always in the van of the ranks as the officers of the Korean People's Army do.
    The plenary meetings called upon the organizations to fulfill their missions and roles sufficiently and underscored the need to turn the organizations into the revolutionary organizations resembling the KPA in loyalty, sense of organization and discipline.
    Decisions were adopted at the meetings.
    Meanwhile, the Central Committee of the Korean General Federation of Science and Technology held its 34th Plenary Meeting on Feb. 3 and called on scientists and technicians to vigorously propel the building of a great prosperous powerful nation with new scientific achievements and adopted an executive plan.

Profound Reverence for Kim Jong Il Expressed Worldwide

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- World progressives are extending highest glory to leader Kim Jong Il and singing praises of his immortal exploits. This is clearly proved by the unbounded reverence of the world people for Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of his assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army.
    He received congratulatory messages and letters and floral baskets from the Guinean and Palestinian presidents, the chairman of the Communist Party of Tajikistan and other state and party leaders, political parties, organizations and public figures of different countries. The Academy of Security, National Defence, Law and Orders of the Russian Federation awarded to him the titles of its academician and professor and their certificates, its badge and its highest order and certificate.
    Over 200 celebrations took place in at least 50 countries. At the celebrations public figures of different countries highly praised Kim Jong Il for having strengthened the Korean People's Army into a matchless army strong in ideology and faith.
    At least 100 press media in over 40 countries including Russia, India, Egypt and Mexico carried his portrait and special write-ups on his Songun leadership exploits with the titles "Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il builds up invincible military strength", "The Songun policy of the DPRK enjoys absolute support of people," "12 years will shine long in history of Korean nation", etc.

Japan Hit for Its Hostile Policy towards DPRK

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Japan's passage of the "amendment to the law on foreign exchange" through its Lower House is a shameless move to legislate for its ambition for reconquest of the Korean peninsula. The Solidarity for Implementing the South-North Joint Declaration said this in a statement on Jan. 30.
    The statement recalled that the Japanese chief executive's recent remarks that Tok Islet belongs to Japan are touching off bitterer anti-Japanese sentiment among the Korean people.
    What is more serious is that such misbehavior of Japan is a militaristic move to serve the purpose of the U.S. hostile policy towards the DPRK, it said, and went on:
    We bitterly condemn the Japanese militarists for taking the lead in the implementation of the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK in a bid to realize their vaulting ambition for aggression.
    Japan should drop at once its hostile policy towards the DPRK aimed to stage a comeback to the Korean peninsula and apologize to the Koreans for its folly.

Lunar January 15th, Korean Folk Holiday

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- February 5 this year is the 15th day of lunar January. From olden times, the Korean people have grandly celebrated this folk holiday. This day people, with hope for good fortune and bumper harvest in the new year, have used to hold colorful interesting amusements.
    Among them are viewing the first full moon, playing with torch and toy-pinwheel, tending fruit trees, ladling dragon's egg from well, flying kite and tug-of-war.
    The play with torch in the evening has been promoted to strengthen the unity of people and encourage them to display bravery.
    People prepare holiday foods including boiled rice mixed with four other grains and sweet rice dish to share them with neighbours.

Reception Given at Cuban Embassy

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Cuban Military Attache here Giraldo Abreu Morales hosted a reception at the embassy yesterday evening on the occasion of the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il. Present on invitation were generals and officers of the Korean People's Army and officials concerned. Cuban Ambassador Esteban Lobaina Romero and embassy officials were on hand. Speeches were made there.

13th Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks Opened

     Seoul, February 4 (KCNA-Correspondent) -- The 13th North-South Ministerial Talks were opened in Seoul today. Present at the talks from the north side were the members of the delegation led by Kim Ryong Song, chief councilor of the DPRK Cabinet, and suite members and from the south side were the members of the delegation with Jong Se Hyon, minister of Unification, as chief delegate and suite members.
    The head of the north side and the chief delegate of the south side made keynote addresses at the talks.
    The head of the north side in his address said that last year the south side has not remained true to the basic idea of "By our nation itself" that requires the maintenance of independence as the life and soul in the inter-Korean relations, but abandoned the idea of "By our nation itself" that calls for national cooperation as the mode of existence and that there was no real cooperation between the north and the south last year.
    Noting that the current ministerial talks which may judge the prospect of inter-Korean relations this year are of greater importance than ever before, he clarified the following principled stand and immediate practical proposals of the north side for an epochal advance in the inter-Korean relations in the New Year:
    Firstly, the north and the south should display the dignity of the nation, regarding our nation-first spirit as the common mental pillar.
    Secondly, the authorities of the two sides should independently develop the north-south relations through cooperation.
    What is important in cooperation between the authorities of both sides at present is to take joint actions in preventing the danger of war and defending peace.
    As already reported, we decided to resume the six-way talks on Feb. 25 and officially made it public yesterday.
    The soon-to-be-resumed six-way talks are the results of our consistent stand and initiative efforts to settle the nuclear issue peacefully.
    We consider that if the south side truly wants a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue it will support our just proposal so as to be realized and work hard to make the United States respond to it.
    Thirdly, the authorities of both sides should promote inter-Korean economic cooperation in a responsible manner from the stand of national cooperation.
    In conclusion the head of the north side said that all the fellow countrymen hope that the authorities of both sides will independently advance the inter-Korean relations through national cooperation in the basic spirit of the June 15 joint declaration.
    He stressed that the first talks of this year should bring about the results of giving hope and conviction to the fellow countrymen.
    The talks continue.

KAPPC Spokesman on Slump in Tour of Mt. Kumgang

     Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee (KAPPC) today in a statement issued as regards the unprecedented slump in the tour of Mt. Kumgang warned that if the tour is suspended, the U.S. and the south Korean authorities would be held wholly accountable for the consequences to be entailed by it. The statement said:
    @The tour of Mt. Kumgang now underway between the KAPPC and south Korean Hyundai Asan is a symbol of the inter-Korean economic cooperation. The start of the tour helped wipe out the long-standing mistrust and misunderstanding between the north and the south and laid a foundation of reconciliation and cooperation between them and in this course they witnessed such landmark events as the historic Pyongyang meeting and the publication of the June 15 joint declaration.
    The tour of Mt. Kumgang that had gotten brisk amid people's interest and support after it started thanks to the nation's noble patriotic idea and will for reunification has reached such a state of depression that its prospect remains unpredictable.
    Ever since the beginning of the tour, a joint undertaking between compatriots, the U.S. has disturbed it overtly and covertly, displeased with it. The U.S. has left no means untried to hamstring the payment for the tour, a publicly recognized international practice, grumbling about "its diversion to a military purpose."
    In fact, the U.S. was chiefly responsible for the death of the pioneer of the tour of Mt. Kumgang as it instigated the south Korean ultra-right conservative forces to kick up a "racket of special inspection of the remittance to the north." As a matter of fact, the south Korean authorities should have taken measures to revitalize the tour to meet the demands and interests of various circles in south Korea in protest against the U.S. hindrance to the inter-Korean economic cooperation. The north can not keep the road of tour open any longer now that the payment for the tour is being steadily delayed due to the south Korean authorities' indifference and tourists are no longer available due to the suspension of the tour by sea.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il inspecciona la Unidad No 614 del EPC

     Pyongyang, 4 de febrero (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea inspecciono la Unidad No 614 del EPC. Le acompanaron Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae y Pak Jae Gyong, generales de ejercito del EPC y Ri Yong Chol, miembro de la Comision Militar Central y primer subjefe de departamento del CC, del PTC.
    El Dirigente recorrio primeramente una planta eolica construida en esta Unidad.
    Tras escuchar explicacion acerca de la planta, recorrio el exterior y el interior de esta para tener conocimiento detallado del estado de construccion y produccion de electricidad.
    El Dirigente se mostro muy satisfecho de que los militares de esta Unidad y los cientificos y tecnicos del Instituto Universitario Politecnico Kim Chaek, dando pruebas de toda su inteligencia y pasion, terminaron magnificamente en un corto tiempo la construccion de la planta eolica de gran capacidad generadora, y evaluo altamente sus logros.
    El Dirigente senalo que hay que normalizar en alto nivel la produccion de electricidad de esta planta para contribuir activamente a la electrificacion de la Unidad y areas perifericas, y presento tareas programaticas que sirven de guia en la administracion y la gestion de la central.
    Acto seguido, el Dirigente, guiado por el jefe de la Unidad, visito la sala de historia de la Unidad.
    El Dirigente menciono que anteriormente, de esta y otras Unidades salieron muchos comandantes sobresalientes quienes forman ahora el firme armazon del EPC, y enfatizo que este orgulloso exito muestra elocuentemente la justeza e inagotable vitalidad de la orientacion del PTC de convertir todo el EPC en un ejercito de cuadros.
    Luego, el Comandante Supremo se fotografio junto a los oficiales y soldados de la Unidad.
    Seguidamente, inspecciono una compania subordinada a esta.
    Al recorrer la sala de educacion, dormitorio, comedor, bano, deposito diario y otras instalaciones de cultura, educacion e intendencia, el Comandante Supremo presto profunda atencion a la labor y la vida de los militares.
    El Dirigente expreso la conviccion de que los militares de esta compania defenderan la linea avanzada del frente como un baluarte inexpugnable, les dio binoculos y fusil automatico y se tiro fotografia junto a estos.

Fiesta folclorica - el 15 de enero lunar

     Pyongyang, 4 de febrero (ATCC) -- Desde la antiguedad el pueblo coreano celebro significativamente como fiesta folclorica el 15 de enero del ano lunar que cae en el 5 de febrero de ano solar. Esta fiesta la pasan los habitantes con varios actos interesantes como la acogida de la luna, lucha con antorchas, etc., en senal de la aspiracion a acoger la rica cosecha y la fortuna del Ano Nuevo.
    La lucha con antorchas bajo la luz de la luna invernal la practicaron ampliamente al fomentar la fuerza de unidad, la valentia y la voluntad.
    Entre los juegos folcloricos para esta fiesta figuran la cometa, el molinete, la lucha de cuerda, etc.
    Los hombres preparan manjares de fiesta tales como ogokbap, yakbap, bosam, etc. para pasar alegremente la fiesta y recordarla durante largo tiempo.

Aderezo de sabor especial

     Pyongyang, 4 de febrero (ATCC) En los ultimos tiempos, los cientificos coreanos de la industria alimentaria elaboraron un nuevo aderezo de sabor especial, que esta compuesto del mezclo de mostaza con vinagre, sal, harinas de arroz glutinoso descascado, azucar y aceite comestible. Se utiliza en el procesamiento del propio plato nacional fideo, y los platos de carne, legumbres y otros.
    Por su valor nutritivo y su efecto medicinal, sirve de un alimento para larga vida.
    Tiene sabor picante mas especial que los anteriores. Este producto esta embalado por plastico y lo pueden guardar durante largo tiempo sin alguna variacion del color o sabor.
    Goza de buena reputacion en el sector de procesamiento alimentario y en redes de servicio gastronomico publico.

Agregado militar de Cuba ofrece un banquete

     Pyongyang, 4 de febrero (ATCC) -- Con motivo del dia de nacimiento del Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Giraldo Abreu Morales, agregado militar de la Embajada de la Republica de Cuba en la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, ofrecio el dia 3 por la noche un banquete. Fueron invitados generales y oficiales del Ejercito Popular de Corea y otros funcionarios interesados.
    Estuvieron presentes el embajador cubano Esteban Lobaina Romero y otros miembros de esta sede diplomatica.
    En la ocasion pronunciaron discursos.