Congratulatory Message to Leader Kim Jong Il from Putin

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Chairman Kim Jong Il of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today received a congratulatory message from Russian President V. Putin on the occasion of his birthday. The message extends sincere congratulations to Kim Jong Il.
    It says:
    Russia highly appreciates your role for the strengthened good-neighborly and cooperative relations with our country, the continued pursuance of the policy of inter-Korean reconciliation and approach and the socio-economic growth in the DPRK.
    I wish you good health and fresh success in your activities for the well-being of your people, the increased traditional Russo-Korean friendly relations and the peaceful settlement of the Korean issue.

Congratulatory Message to Leader Kim Jong Il from NDFSK Central Committee

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il today received a message from the Central Committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) congratulating him on his birthday. In the message the Central Committee of the NDFSK sincerely extends the highest glory and the warmest congratulations to Kim Jong Il, the sun of the nation and the lodestar of national reunification, with boundless reverence and single heart of loyalty on his birthday.
    The birth of Kim Jong Il as the son of the guerrillas of Mt. Paektu on February 16, a historic day when a new spring of national liberation was imminent, was a great jubilee in which the Korean nation and humankind greeted a great successor to the Juche cause and a great event that surely promised the eternal prosperity of Korea of shining sun and star and a rosy future of the era of Juche, it says.
    The message recalls that Kim Jong Il who embarked upon the road of the revolution in his early years has led the socialist cause of Juche and the human cause of independence along the straight road of victory for scores of years with his brilliant wisdom and rare guidance to perform immortal great achievements on behalf of the country and the nation, the times and history.
    He put forward the unique political mode of Songun and built the army into an invincible army of Mt. Paektu and converted the northern half of Korea into an indestructible fortress with his tireless Songun leadership to emerge victorious in the confrontation with the U.S. imperialists who are trying to isolate and stifle the north and defend the sovereignty and dignity of the nation with credit, it notes.
    The vanguard fighters in the south of Korea will imbue the patriotic people from all walks of life with the idea that General Kim Jong Il is the best and with the Songun policy-first spirit this year marking the 35th anniversary of the NDFSK so that all the south Koreans may fully support the Songun policy for the love of the country, the nation, and the people and develop the anti-American struggle for independence into an all-people movement and build the Korean nation's confrontation with the U.S. without fail, it adds.

Floral Basket to Leader Kim Jong Il

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a floral basket from Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the occasion of his birthday. The floral basket was handed to the DPRK ambassador to Uganda by a secretary of the president on February 12.
    On the occasion the secretary of the president said President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni asked him to convey the floral basket and his warm congratulations to Kim Jong Il on the occasion of his birthday.
    He went on to say:
    The birthday of His Excellency Kim Jong Il is the national holiday of the Korean people and, at the same time, the holiday of the Ugandan people.
    The president and the government of Uganda wholeheartedly wish Kim Jong Il good health and the Korean people greater success in their efforts for the prosperity of the country under his wise guidance.

Birthday of Kim Jong Il Celebrated

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- The Korean people are significantly celebrating February 16, the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il, as a greatest national holiday. The whole country is now in a festive mood and colorful functions are taking place across the country.
    A meeting was held to celebrate Feb. 16 at the sacred camp of Mt. Paektu, a holy land of the revolution, where Kim Jong Il was born and servicemen of the Korean People's Army, working people of all strata and school youth and children are taking a vow of loyalty to uphold his revolutionary Songun leadership to the end.
    Kimjongilias are in full bloom likely to express reverence for the peerlessly great man at all exhibition places in Pyongyang, capital city, and localities and different units as well as the venue of the 8th Kimjongilia Festival which is open amid the great concern of the people at home and abroad.
    Taking place in the capital and all provinces are symposiums and seminars on the greatness of the ideological and theoretical exploits and unique Songun policy of Kim Jong Il who developed and enriched the revolutionary idea of President Kim Il Sung into a guiding idea in the era of independence.
    Participants in celebrations of public organizations to uphold his Songun policy with one mind hardened their determination to prepare themselves to be revolutionary comrades of Songun and fighters devotedly defending the leader who share life and death with him.
    Colorful cultural functions such as a national photo exhibition, national art show and ten-day film show celebrating Feb. 16 are being held.
    Celebration art performances and concerts were given by the Mansudae Art Troupe, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Phibada Opera Troupe and other professional art groups and a performance by overseas Korean artistes.
    A performance was given by art circle members of ministries and national institutions and music and dance performances were given by art groups of factories and co-op farms, working people and school youth and children.
    Holiday mood was escalated by the 13th Peaktusan Cup International Figure-skating Festival participated by world famous figure-skating masters, a demonstration performance of synchronized swimming, sports contests for Paektusan Cup, the 10th People's Sports Contests (winter games) and other sports events.

Congratulatory Message to Kim Jong Il from Chongryon CSC

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il today received a congratulatory message from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) on the occasion of his birthday. The message sincerely extends to him the highest glory and warmest congratulations representing the boundless loyalty and reverence of all the Chongryon officials and Koreans in Japan.
    It recalls that he has developed, enriched and systematized the Juche idea of President Kim Il Sung as a great guiding idea of the times, built up the singlehearted unity of the whole country under the banner of Kimilsungism as firm as a rock and opened a rosy future for the building of a great prosperous powerful nation in the DPRK.
    He is an outstanding politician, a great brilliant commander of the century with clairvoyant wisdom and rare strategy, the great sun of the country, the nation and the world progressives and the destiny and future of Chongryon and Koreans in Japan, it stresses.
    It expresses a firm determination to make the 20th Congress of Chongryon slated for upcoming May a significant congress of singlehearted unity and victors so as to defend and preserve Chongryon, a valuable patriotic heritage of the President and bring about a fresh surge in the patriotic movement in the new century.

Japan Hit for "Amendment to Law on Foreign Exchange"

     Tokyo, February 14 (KCNA-KNS) -- Vice-Chairman Nam Sung U of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) issued a statement on February 13 as regards the recent passage of the "amendment to the law on foreign exchange" through the Diet of Japan. The statement dismisses the recent revision of the "law on foreign exchange" for the worse as a hostile act aimed to intensify anti-DPRK campaign reactionary conservatives of Japan have hitherto mounted, an anachronistic misbehavior swimming against the current of history towards independence, peace, reconciliation and cooperation and a grave act of fabricating a new legal mechanism geared to put down just business activities of Koreans in Japan and violate human rights, right to existence and humanitarianism.
    It must not go unnoticed that the Japanese reactionary forces are trying to rig up "bill on the ban of port call of specific ships" in the wake of the revision of the "law on foreign exchange" in a bid to block Mangyongbong-92 and other ships of the DPRK from entering ports of Japan and prevent free travels of Koreans in Japan to the DPRK, it notes.
    It urges Japan to admit the injustice of the revision of the law for the worse and stop pursuing the hostile policy toward the DPRK and suppressing Koreans in Japan.

Greetings to Foreign Minister of Moldova

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of greetings to Andrei Stratan on his appointment as foreign minister of Moldova. The message wished him success in his new work, expressing the belief that friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms in the interests of the two peoples. .

Public Presentation of Experience in Cultivation of Kimjongilia

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- A public presentation of experience in cultivating Kimjongilia took place at the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Exhibition on February 15. Present there were botanical researchers and gardeners of ministries, national institutions, armed forces organs and provinces.
    Experience gained in increasing the rate of habitation of Kimjongilia tissue culture saplings, cultivating them according processes and cultivating them by use of additional lighting in greenhouses with the lack of sunshine was made public.
    The speakers elaborated on signal technical results and experience gained in introducing the advanced experience and applying it to practice.

Visit to 8th Kimjongilia Festival Hall

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- The 8th Kimjongilia Festival Hall was visited by military attaches of foreign embassies, the State Academic Moiseyev Dance Company of Russia and overseas compatriots on Feb. 15. After the visit, Abdullah Hamidi Benam, military attache of Iranian embassy, said that boundless reverence of the Koreans and the world progressive people for leader Kim Jong Il is overflowing the festival hall.
    Elena Scherbakova, director of the Russian dance company, wrote in the visitor's book that Kimjongilia shows the warm reverence of the Korean people for their leader and to celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong Il is a big happiness of the Korean people as well as the Russian people.
    Ri Chol Jae, head of the congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China, wrote in the visitor's book that immortal Kimjongilia will more beautifully bloom all over the world.

Celebration Performances Given

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) ? A celebration performance of the Korean People's Army Merited Chorus was given at the Mansudae Art Theater on February 15 in the run-up to the auspicious February holiday. Put on the stage were choruses including "Song of General Kim Jong Il", "Dear General, Where Are You", "Arms of Mt.Paektu Will Reply", "Let Us Hold High the Red Flag".
    Appreciating the performance were senior officials of the Party, the state and the army, chairpersons of friendly parties, leading officials of the party, armed forces and power bodies, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions and servicemen of the KPA and working people in the city.
    Present on invitation were foreign diplomatic envoys and staff-members of foreign embassies here.
    Meanwhile, a music and dance performance was given by the Korean People's Army Song and Dance Ensemble at the April 25 House of Culture, a performance by art circle members of the Korean Democratic Women's Union at the Women's Hall and a performance by the Ministry of People's Security Song and Dance Ensemble at the Ponghwa Art Theater.

Synchronized Swimming Demonstration Performance for Feb. 16

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- A synchronized swimming demonstration performance took place at the Swimming Pool of the Changgwang Health Complex on February 15 to celebrate Feb. 16. At the swimming pool in festive mood hundreds of performers carrying immortal Kimjongilias in their hands depicted letters "February 16" and a floral basket of best wishes carrying the mind of servicemen and people for warm congratulations amidst the playing of the melody "Best Wish for Good Health to Comrade Supreme Commander."
    In "Songun Nillili,""Let us leave traces of worthy life" and other numbers demonstrating high technique of synchronized swimming the performers showed such skills as quick rise and turn to the tune of joyous melodies, acclaimed by the spectators.

13th International Figure-skating Festival for Paektusan Cup Closes

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) ? The 13th International Figure-skating Festival for "Paektusan Cup" which opened on February 14 to celebrate the February holiday closed today. A closing ceremony was held at the Ice Rink.
    Present at the ceremony were Vice-President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyong Sop, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jung Rin and other officials concerned, foreign figure skaters and foreigners.
    Festival cups were awarded to Russian skaters Maria Bupiruskaya, Janachohlova, and Sergei Novycky, Chinese skaters Qi Jia and Sun Xu, Uzbekistan skater Anastasia Dimazetinova, French skater Stanick Jeannette, Canadian skaters Megan Wing and Aron Lowe and Korean skaters Kim Kyong Sun and Kim Su Il who displayed high techniques at the festival.
    Vice-chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Committee Jong In Chol, chairman of the Organizing Committee of the festival, in a closing address expressed the belief that the participants in the festival will meet again to significantly decorate the most auspicious February holiday common to humankind in the idea of independence, peace and friendship and develop the festival into an authoritative international event.
    @The ceremony was followed by a demonstration performance of Korean and foreign figure skaters. .

Joint Meeting of Korean Children's Union Organisations Held

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- A joint meeting of the Korean Children's Union organisations took place at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on February 16 in celebration of the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il. It was attended by representatives of Children's Union organisations in provinces, Children's Union members in Pyongyang and children who are joining the union.
    A celebration poem "We are reserves of Songun revolution" carrying the loyal heart of 3 million KCU members who are following only Kim Jong Il with firm belief in him was recited at the meeting.
    A joining ceremony of the KCU was held at the meeting.
    The children joining the KCU made a solemn oath before the flag of the KCU at the call of anti-Japanese revolutionary veteran Kim Ryong Yon.
    Cadres, anti-Japanese revolutionary veterans, war veterans, youth league officials, persons of distinguished service and parents tied red ties around the necks of the children joining the KCU and put KCU badges on their chests.
    The children made the first salute of the KCU, shouting the slogan "Always ready!" in chorus in reply to the call "Let us be always ready for the respected leader Kim Jong Il!" Then anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter Kim Ok Sun and Dr. Kim Yong San, chief of a department of the Kim Chaek University of Technology made speeches.
    Present there were Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, Kim Jung Rin and officials concerned.

Dancing Parties Held

     Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) --The Ministry of the People's Armed Forces gave a dancing party at the Jonsung Square to celebrate February 16, the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il, on Sunday. The dancing party of officers and men of the three services of the Korean People's Army began amidst the playing of the immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Jong Il", rocking the square. The square turned into a sea of celebrating dance by the participants to the tune of songs such as "Congratulations to February holiday,""Song of best wishes" and other songs.
    Generals of the Korean People's Army joined the dancing soldiers, adding to the atmosphere of the dancing party.
    Present there were Jo Myong Rok, director of the General Political Department of the KPA, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the General Staff and Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces.
    On the same day a dancing party of young vanguard of the Ministry of People's Security took place in the square before the Ponghwa Art Theatre in celebration of February 16.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il recibe mensaje de felicitacion del presidente de Rusia

     Pyongyang, 16 de febrero (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, recibio el dia 16 un mensaje de felicitacion que le dirigiera, con motivo de su cumpleanos, V. Putin, presidente de la Federacion Rusa. Tras expresarle su sincera felicitacion, el remitente senala:
    Rusia evalua altamente el papel que Vd. desempena para fortalecer las relaciones de buena vecindad y de cooperacion con nuestro pais, practicar continuamente la politica de reconciliacion y de acercamiento entre el Norte y el Sur de Corea y lograr el desarrollo socio-economico de la RPDC.
    Le deseo a Vd. buena salud y nuevos exitos en sus actividades para fomentar el bienestar de su pueblo, desarrollar aun mas las tradicionales relaciones de amistad Rusia-Corea y solucionar por via pacifica el problema coreano.

Periodicos conmemoran fiesta de febrero

     Pyongyang, 16 de febrero (ATCC) -- Los periodicos capitalinos dedicaron hoy editoriales al cumpleanos del Dirigente Kim Jong Il. El del periodico Rodong Sinmun senala:
    Es invencible la causa revolucionaria del Songun (priorizacion militar) del Partido del Trabajo de Corea que avanza con el poderio de la unidad monolitica.
    Esta unidad es el ideal politico supremo del Dirigente. La historia de lucha revolucionaria de este es precisamente la de la unidad.
    El centro de la unidad monolitica de Corea es el Dirigente Kim Jong Il; su base ideologica, la idea del Songun y su poderio inagotable, la obligacion moral revolucionaria del ejercito y el pueblo dispuestos a responder hasta el fin al amor y la confianza del Dirigente.
    La unidad monolitica de Corea es el gran ente politico en que todo el ejercito y el pueblo luchan dedicando sin vacilacion su vida para la Direccion de la Revolucion y el ser unido inquebrantable que exalta el poderio teniendo por nucleo y pilar el potente ejercito revolucionario del monte Paektu.
    La unidad en cuestion sirve de medio omnipotente que permite defender firmemente la soberania de la nacion y los intereses supremos del pais y lograr la victoria cierta en el frente del antiimperialismo y los asuntos militares, y de la fuerza motriz para anticipar el radiante porvenir de una gran potencia prospera superando las severas pruebas.
    Ninguna amenaza militar ni taimada y tesonera operacion psicologica de los imperialistas podran impedir la causa del pueblo coreano ni descomponer el regimen coreano ni tampoco burlar la soberania de la nacion coreana.
    Nuestra unidad monolitica sirve de la firme base ideo-politica que permite llevar a buen termino de generacion en generacion la causa del Songun del Partido del Trabajo de Corea.
    Hoy en dia, nuestras filas revolucionarias estan unidas ferreamente con el mismo objeto y la misma aspiracion para llevar a feliz termino la cusa del Songun.
    El PTC se ha fortalecido y desarrollado con vistas al futuro como poderosa agrupacion politica que puede mantener, generacion tras generacion, la idea y la linea del Songun, el ejercito Popular de Corea se ha convertido en el ejercito fiel que tiene al Dirigente como eterno Comandante Supremo y el pueblo coreano, un gran pueblo que toma el largo camino de la revolucion mediante el Songun siguiendo a la Direccion de la Revolucion.
    Podemos decir dignamente que preparamos la firme garantia ideo-politica capaz de continuar la revolucion mediante el Songun, aunque se cambie en cien veces la generacion de la revolucion.
    El del periodico Minju Joson enfatiza que por tener el sol del siglo XXI en la Revolucion Coreana fue solucionado con exito el problema de defender y llevar adelante firmemente la idea y las proezas del Lider.

Efectuada funcion por 16 de febrero

     Pyongyang, 16 de febrero (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar el dia 15 en el Teatro de Arte Mansudae una funcion del Coro Benemerito del Ejercito Popular de Corea en celebracion de la jubilosa fiesta de febrero (cumpleanos del Dirigente Kim Jong Il) En la escena se pusieron las piezas de coro "Cancion del General Kim Jong Il", "Donde esta el querido General", "El fusil del monte Paektu respondera", "Enarbolemos la bandera roja", etc.
    La vieron los cuadros dirigentes del partido, el Estado y el ejercito, presidentes de los partidos amigos, funcionarios directivos de los organos del partido, las fuerzas armadas y el poder, las organizaciones de masas, los ministerios y los organismos centrales, oficiales y soldados del EPC y trabajadores capitalinos.
    Fueron invitados los representantes diplomaticos y otros miembros de las embajadas de varios paises en Corea.
    Por otra parte, el mismo dia tuvieron lugar una funcion de cantos y bailes del Conjunto Artistico del EPC en la Casa Cultural "25 de Abril", una funcion conjunta de grupos artisticos de miembros de la Union de Mujeres Democraticas de Corea en la Casa de Mujeres y una funcion del Conjunto Artistico del Ministerio de Seguridad del Pueblo en el Teatro de Arte Ponghwa.