2nd Session of 11th SPA to Convene

     Pyongyang, March 5 (KCNA) -- A decision of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly on convening a session of the SPA was made public. According to the decision dated March 3, the 2nd session of the 11th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK will be convened in Pyongyang on March 25, Juche 93 (2004).

Friendship Association and Study Centre Formed in Russia

     Pyongyang, March 5 (KCNA) -- The Ulyanovsk Regional Russia-DPRK Friendship Association Named after Jong Il Peak and the Ulyanovsk Centre for Scientific Study of the Juche Idea and Songun Politics were inaugurated in Russia on Feb. 19, the significant 30th anniversary of the proclamation of the programme for modeling the whole society on the Juche idea by leader Kim Jong Il. The association and the centre in the city, the birthplace of Lenin, group the first secretary of the Ulyanovsk Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and other figures and scientists of the region.
    Prior to the inauguration, they significantly organized a meeting for observing the 30th anniversary of the proclamation of the programme for modeling the whole society on the Juche idea in the DPRK where they highly praised Kim Jong Il for his greatness and immortal feats.
    Then they warmly supported the proposal for inaugurating the association and the centre and adopted resolutions related to the inauguration and a letter to Kim Jong Il.
    The first secretary of the Ulyanovsk Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation who was elected chairman of the Council of the friendship association sent the letter to Kim Jong Il, representing the unanimous sentiment of the participants of the meeting.
    The first secretary in the letter said that they, inhabitants of the birthplace of the great Lenin, were firmly convinced that socialism would grow stronger, the defence capability and sovereignty of the DPRK would be consolidated, Korea reunified and global peace ensured thanks to the Juche idea and Songun politics of Kim Jong Il, the great general. His Juche idea and Songun politics are very important for them, the letter added.

U.S. Anti-DPRK War Moves Denounced

     Pyongyang, March 5 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in an article cites facts to disclose the evermore dangerous moves of the U.S. to unleash a war in the Korean peninsula. The article says:
    The U.S. bellicose forces are now asserting that the forward deployment of their aggressor forces in and around south Korea is aimed to fill up the "vacuum of combat power," pursuant to the redeployment of the U.S. forces in Iraq and describing it as a "pre-emptive measure" to deter the "military provocation by north Korea."
    This is, however, sophism to cover up and justify the essence and dangerous nature of the U.S. policy to invade the DPRK and nothing but a red herring.
    The U.S. is escalating its sanctions, blockade, military pressure and psychological warfare against the DPRK. It has become ever more undisguised in its moves to speed up the preparations for a war of aggression against the DPRK, massing its troops in and around south Korea.
    The U.S. warlike forces seek to make the second Korean war the biggest of the wars of aggression they have fought so far and an indiscriminate war involving all their forces. It is a very dangerous development that the U.S. imperialists announced the "new operation plan 5026" recently to replace their "operation plan 5030." The situation on the Korean peninsula is growing tenser due to the U.S. frantic moves to provoke a new war.
    The U.S. much talk about the "nuclear and missile threat" from the DPRK is a prelude to a war as it is intended to provoke a new Korean war by force of arms.
    The DPRK's armed forces serve as a treasured sword of justice to defend its sovereignty from the enemy's aggression.
    The Bush's bellicose forces are well advised to properly understand the might and will of the DPRK and abandon their reckless attempt at a military adventure against the DPRK.

Materials on Massacre of Civilians Opened to Public

     Pyongyang, March 5 (KCNA) -- The All-People Committee for Probing the Truth behind the Massacre of Civilians before and after the War and Retrieving Their Honour Monday opened to the public the U.S. top secret documents recording the police crime of massacring civilians during the last Korean war, according to the March second issue of the south Korean newspaper Hangyore. Recorded in a top secret document of the U.S. State Department in 1950 and another top secret document sent by the U.S. embassy in Seoul to the U.S. Far Eastern Command in Japan is that the south Korean police fired to death 34 prisoners of the Seoul Prison on charges of being "pro-communists" in the area under the control of the British army regiment 29 stationed in Seoul on December 16 of the same year.
    Included in the documents are the content that eye-witnesses testified that among 34 people killed 2 were supposed to be women and 2 children aging 8 and 13, which adds to the proof that it was an indiscriminate murder by the police.

Russian Ensemble Gives Performance

     Pyongyang, March 5 (KCNA) -- A performance was given by the State Academy Ensemble of the Ministry of Interior of Russia at the Ponghwa Art Theatre Thursday. It was appreciated by senior officials of the Ministry of People's Security, security men in Pyongyang, officials concerned, the Russian ambassador to the DPRK and staff members of his embassy.
    The curtain rose with a chorus of the immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Il Sung," which was followed by numbers depicting the heroic mettle and courageous fight of the Russian army and people in defending the motherland from aggressors such as choruses "Fight for Justice", "Forward" and "Song of the Soviet Army".
    The performers left deep impressions on the audience by presenting with gay melodies, flawless ensemble and strongly appealing and lively virtuosity in such dance pieces as "Dance of Soldiers" and "Yablochko".
    @No less fascinating were the Russian songs "The Evening in the Suburbs of Moscow", "Kalinka" and "Troika" well known to the Koreans as well as world's famous songs.
    They well sang in solo and chorus the immortal famous songs "Dear General, Where Are You" and "General of Korea".
    @A chorus of the immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Jong Il" closed the performance overflowing with friendly feelings between Korea and Russia.
    The performance continues.

Greetings to Ghanaian President

     Pyongyang, March 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to John Agyekum Kufuor, president of Ghana, on Mar. 3 on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of its independence. Expressing belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in conformity with the desire of the two peoples, the message wished him greater success in his responsible work to consolidate the stability of the country and achieve its progress and prosperity

North-South Economic Meeting Held

     Seoul, March 5 (KCNA Correspondent) -- The 8th meeting of the North-South Committee for the Promotion of Economic Cooperation was held in Seoul from March 2 to 5. Present there from the north side were members of its delegation led by Choe Yong Gon, vice-minister of Construction and Building-Materials Industries who is the north side's chairman of the committee, and suite members.
    At the meeting the north side had a discussion with the south side after advancing reasonable proposals to energetically push ahead with the overall economic cooperation between the two sides this year, proceeding from the stand of promoting national cooperation including the issue of vigorously accelerating the project of reconnecting rail and road links between the two sides and building the Kaesong Industrial Zone as a model zone of high international competitive edge.
    The north side put forward a series of realistic proposals for cooperation including the issue of building a power plant in the Kaesong Industrial Zone but they failed to get a due response from the south side.
    At the meeting both sides adopted an agreement after having a discussion on the issues of economic cooperation to pave the way for achieving the common prosperity of the nation in the basic spirit of the June 15 joint declaration.
    The agreement says:
    Firstly, the north and the south agreed to push forward the development of the Kaesong Industrial Zone to ensure that enterprises start operation soon after the completion of 10,000-phyong site in the demonstration industrial zone within the first half of this year. They also agreed to positively step up the infrastructural construction in the one million-phyong development area at the first-phase and cooperate with each other in the efforts to enable enterprises to move to the area on a phased basis, depending on the completion of the site from next year.
    To this end, they agreed to settle such issues as institution and proclamation of regulations on enforcing laws in the Kaesong Industrial Zone and the organization and operation of an industrial zone management body within March and exert efforts to timely ensure the power supply, communications, etc. in a commercial way in order to help enterprises smoothly start production.
    Secondly, they agreed to open to traffic a trial train service in the feasible railway sections between Onjong-ri and Jojin on the east coast and between Kaesong and Munsan on the west coast at the first phase within this year and finish the projects of paving the roads on the east and west coasts at the earliest possible date.
    To this end, they agreed to discuss issues of cooperating in the provision of designs, equipment and materials needed for the construction of railway stations and other projects on both lines within the framework of providing those necessary for the start of he service.
    Thirdly, they agreed to actively cooperate with each other in the efforts to decide at an early date on the program for the development of Mt. Kumgang tourist area and specify provisions and build other institutional mechanism so as to reenergize the tourism of the mountain.
    Fourthly, as an economic cooperation consultation office is expected to open along with the industrial zone development office for the purpose of expanding direct deals in the Kaesong Industrial Zone within the first half of this year, they agreed to start their operation after going through consultation and procedures and actively cooperate with each other to revamp the non-governmental-level economic cooperation.
    Fifthly, they agreed to adopt an agreement on the flood control along the River Rimjin by way of exchanging documents and start the survey of it from April according to the agreement.
    Sixthly, they agreed to realize the visit to the north by the south side's economic study group and the visit to the south by the north side's working economic study group as early as possible, depending on an agreement.
    Seventhly, they agreed to hold the 9th meeting of the committee in Pyongyang from June 2 to 5.
    They agreed to hold the 4th meeting of the Panel for the Reconnection of Rail and Road Links and the 3rd meeting of the Panel for Flood Control along the River Rimjin in Kaesong in the latter half of March and the 3rd meeting of the Panel for the Settlement of Accounts in Phaju in mid-March.

Regulations on Management of Foreign Currency in Kaesong Industrial Zone Adopted

     Pyongyang, March 5 (KCNA) -- The Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK adopted a decision on regulations on the management of foreign currency in the Kaesong Industrial Zone on February 25. The 18 article-regulations are intended to establish a strict order in managing foreign currency in the zone and thus contribute to a smooth circulation of foreign currency there.
    The regulations are applicable to enterprises and individuals using foreign currency in the zone.
    According to the regulations, the Industrial Zone Management Body shall take charge of the management of foreign currency in the zone while the Central Industrial Zone Guidance Body shall take charge of income in foreign currency in the DPRK.
    The zone shall circulate convertible foreign currency in cash and apply the exchange rate of circulating fund according to the international financial market rate fixed after the Industrial Zone Management Body's discussion with the Central Industrial Zone Guidance Body.
    An enterprise shall open a foreign currency account with a bank established in the zone and any enterprise willing to open an account with banks in south Korea or in a foreign country shall send a written notification to the Industrial Zone Management Body.
    The regulations also specify the secrecy of deposits, calculation of interest, presentation of documents on the income or expenditure of foreign currency, possession of foreign currency by individuals, carrying in and out foreign currency, its remittance, sanctions, etc.

Regulations on Advertisement in Kaesong Industrial Zone Adopted

     Pyongyang, March 5 (KCNA) -- The Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK adopted a decision on regulations on advertisement in the Kaesong Industrial Zone on February 25. The 22-article regulations are aimed to establish a strict order in advertising in the zone and contribute to providing conveniences for business activities there.
    According to the regulations, any enterprise, individual and economic body is free to make advertisements in the zone and may conduct advertising business when necessary.
    An advertiser shall employ technical personnel and set up equipment needed for planning, designing, manufacturing and installing ad boards and manage business.
    Regulations ban any ad hamstringing the process of improving the north-south relations, decadent and fraudulent ads, ads for commodities whose production, sale and supply are prohibited and banned services and those ads unreasonably comparing or slandering other enterprises or commodities or services.
    Ads shall be made in Korean language. An advertiser may use international official languages or other languages when necessary.
    Setting up ad boards outside is subject to the approval by the Industrial Zone Management Body. Their erection is prohibited in revolutionary historic sites and the areas where historic relics and scenic spots are under protection, natural environmental reservation area, special sanctuaries and in the places where those things may cause trouble or inconvenience to the use of city public facilities, transportation means and the traffic.
    The regulations also specify the Advertisement Management Body, means for advertising, ad contract, change in ad boards outside and the level of their cultured practice, commission, sanctions, etc.

U.S. Condemned for Pulling Up DPRK over Drug Issue

     Pyongyang, March 5 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to the question raised by KCNA today as regards the U.S. renewed smear campaign against the DPRK over the "drug issue". The U.S. State Department in an "annual report on drug control" on March 1 preposterously asserted that the DPRK is considering drug trafficking as a "state policy".
    This mud-slinging is a product of the U.S. policy of isolating and stifling DPRK. It is no more than a foolish plot to tarnish the image of the dignified DPRK.
    The DPRK, a state guided by the man-centered Juche idea, bans by law the use, transaction and production of drug which renders people mentally deformed. The import of spiritual stimulants for scientific research is under a strict state control and in this field the DPRK has long maintained a close contact and cooperation with the International Narcotic Control Board in this field.
    The U.S. had better settle the problem of the fin de siecle drug-related crimes rife in the American society before exercising the super- state "authority," which no one granted to it, to slander others.
    The more frequently the U.S. releases annual reports to impair the prestige of others, the more saliently they will reveal its social corruption and weakness.
    The U.S. would be well advised to mind its own business.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il recibe presente del gobierno malayo

     Pyongyang, 5 de marzo (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio presente que le dirigiera el gobierno de Malaysia. El nuevo embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de este pais en Corea, MD. Yusoff Bin MD. Zain, lo entrego el dia 4 a Kim Yong Nam, presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.

Se convocara II sesion de la XI Legislatura de APS de la RPDC

     Pyongyang, 5 de marzo (ATCC) -- Quedo proclamada la resolucion del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea sobre la convocacion de la APS. Segun el documento fechado 3, tendra lugar el 25 de marzo del 93 (2004) de la Era Juche en Pyongyang la segunda sesion de la XI Legislatura de la APS de la RPDC.

Nuevos datos sobre matanza de civiles en el Sur de Corea

     Pyongyang, 5 de marzo (ATCC) -- Segun el numero del dia 2 del periodico surcoreano "Hangyore", el Comite Pannacional para la reposicion y el esclarecimiento de los verdaderos aspectos de masacre de civiles cometida antes y despues de la guerra hizo publico el dia primero los documentos de secreto absoluto de EE.UU. en que estan registrados los crimenes que la policia cometio al asesinar colectivamente a los civiles durante la pasada guerra coreana. Un documento de secreto estricto del Departamento de Estado norteamericano y el otro enviado por la Embajada de EE.UU. en el Sur de Corea a la Comandancia de las Tropas Norteamericanas del Extremo Oriente en Japon, elaborados en 1950, senalan que el 16 de diciembre del mismo ano, los policias surcoreanos, al calificar a los 34 detenidos en la prision de Seul de "elementos procomunistas", los mataron a fusilazo en la zona jurisdiccional del 29 regimiento del ejercito britanico en Seul.
    Los documentos abarcan las palabras de los testigos segun las cuales "entre los 34 asesinados figuran dos mujeres y dos ninos de 8 y 13 anos de edad, lo que da mas seguridad de que se trataba de una masacre indiscriminada perpetrada por la policia.