Preparatory Committee Formed in Mongolia

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- An inaugural ceremony of the Mongolian preparatory committee was held in Ulaan Baatar on March 24 to commemorate the Day of the Sun. Ch. Surenjav, chairman of the Mongolia-Korea Friendship Society, was elected chairman of the preparatory committee at the ceremony.
    The preparatory committee discussed and decided on the action program to commemorate the Day of the Sun.

Mongolian Organizations' Appeal Supported

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- The Peruvian Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea issued a statement on March 22 supporting the appeal of the Mongolian organizations to boundlessly glorify the exploits performed by the three generals of Mt. Paektu. The statement expressed support to the initiative of the Mongolian organizations to hold an international meeting in praise of the Korean heroes President Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Suk and leader Kim Jong Il in the area of the secret camp of Mt. Paektu in 2005 and build a monument to their greatness there. It reiterated the committee's firm solidarity with the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
    On the same day the General Kim Jong Il Peruvian Amicable Institute also issued a statement supporting the appeal of the Mongolian organizations.

Football Match between DPRK and UAE

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) - There was the first game between the soccer teams of the DPRK and the United Arab Emirates for the second round of the Asian regional football preliminaries for the 18th World Football Championship at the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Korea on March 31. The game was seen by soccer fans and a large number of Pyongyang citizens.
    The game, which began at 4 p.m., ended in a scoreless tie after a tough match.
    The second game between the two teams will be held in UAE in November.

Cause of Korean Reunification Supported in Italy

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- The Italian Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea sponsored a national seminar on the theme of "Issue of Korean Reunification Based on the Juche Idea" in Rome on March 26. Present at the seminar were Roberto Gabriele, general secretary of the Movement for Peace and Socialism of Italy, representatives of the Communists Party, the Unified Communist Party and the People's United Democracy-Unity Left Wing, members of the groups for the study of the Juche idea in various parts of the country and personages of all social standings.
    Staff members of the DPRK embassy in Rome were present on invitation.
    Aldo Bernardini, chairman of the Italian Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea, in a speech explained in detail that President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il laid down the three principles of national reunification, the 10-point programme of the great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo and the 5-point policy of great national unity as the programme for Korea's independent reunification and performed immortal exploits in the cause of national reunification.
    Noting that the core of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration is an idea of achieving the reunification of Korea in the idea of "By the Korean nation itself," he said that it meant rejecting flunkeyism and treachery and achieving the sovereignty of the nation.
    Despite the intervention and obstructions by the U.S. and its allies all Koreans in the north and the south and overseas are dynamically advancing the process of reunification, calling in unison for "national reunification" and "national reconciliation", he stressed.
    Maria Fierro, chief of the Rome Group for the Study of the Juche Idea, said in a speech that the Juche idea founded by Kim Il Sung is being developed in depth by Kim Jong Il and its vitality is more strikingly demonstrated thanks to the Songun politics.
    She noted that the Italian organizations for the study of the Juche idea are deeply studying the Juche idea and regarding it as the principle of their activities to support the cause of Korean reunification.
    The general secretary of the Movement for Peace and Socialism, the international secretary of the Communists Party and representatives of other political parties of Italy in their speeches underscored the need to intensify the solidarity movement for positively supporting the cause of Korean reunification.

Ceremony of Declaring People's Demonstration in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- The People for Achieving Peace and Reunification in south Korea reportedly held a ceremony of declaring a people's demonstration against the humiliating negotiation on the transfer of the U.S. military base from Ryongsan on March 26. At the ceremony speakers, referring to the purport of the ceremony, said that it is to check the initialing of a negotiation on the transfer of the U.S. military base from Ryongsan at the 8th Meeting of the Consultative Council for the Future Policy Conception of the south Korea-U.S. Alliance slated for the end of April and its ratification at the National Assembly.
    They said they are opposed to south Korea's bearing of astronomical transfer expense and that it is reasonable to reduce the existing base, not to expand and transfer it to Phyongthaek in order to exert no burden on the people.
    Hong Kun Su, permanent representative of the organization, in a declaration opposed bearing all the expense of transfer and providing a building site in Phyongthaek, saying that the transfer of the U.S. military base from Ryongsan is part of the moves to put into practice the "new operation plan 5026," a new plan for invasion of the north.
    At the ceremony a signature campaign and an information function took place to oppose the transfer.
    Earlier, on March 25 the organization visited the Board of Audit and Inspection and demanded people's inspection of the negotiation on the transfer of the U.S. military base from Ryongsan.

U.S. Aerial Espionage Numbers More than 220

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- The U.S. imperialists' aerial espionage against the DPRK with strategic and tactical reconnaissance planes of different missions in March numbered more than 220, according to military sources. The number of espionage by "U-2" and "RC-135" strategic reconnaissance planes, "E-3" and "E-8C" commanding planes and "P-3" patrol planes was at least 50 in March.
    Espionage on our major military objects in the forefront area was committed by 9 "RC-12", "RC-7B" and other tactical reconnaissance planes on March 11, 12 and 26 each and 8 planes on March 2 and 24 each.
    Such aerial espionage frantically committed by the U.S. imperialists with the whole area of south Korea as an operation theatre clearly proves how urgent our strengthening of self-defensive nuclear deterrent force is.

Chinese Residents in DPRK Help Korean Builders

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- Chinese residents in South Hwanghae Province rendered assistance to a construction site in Haeju City on March 30 carrying with them DPRK-China friendship. They donated materials needed for a construction project in Haeju City aimed to satisfactorily solve the problem of drinking water.
    They visited the construction site and handed over the materials representing their sincerity to the builders, hoping that they would complete the project earlier than scheduled.

Posters for 22nd April Spring Friendship Art Festival Published

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- Posters have been published on the threshold of the 22nd April Spring Friendship Art Festival to open on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. They include posters depicting Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia and pigeons flying over beautiful flowers in full bloom, carrying a slogan "Let's Loudly Sing the Song of Independence, Peace and Friendship!" and vividly portraying smiling artistes holding aloft the logo of the festival.
    There are also posters depicting artistes from many countries of the world enthusiastically singing songs and playing a variety of musical instruments.
    Some posters dealing with elegant dances of artistes and acrobats' skillful performance in the air indicate that colorful numbers will be staged during the festival.

Glorifying Kim Il Sung's Revolutionary Exploits Called for

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- Papers here today editorially call for glorifying the revolutionary exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung as a treasure of eternal value. Rodong Sinmun in an editorial says that Kim Il Sung is a peerlessly great man who provided a precious revolutionary heritage which has enabled the DPRK and the Korean revolution to win one victory after another.
    It goes on:
    The DPRK has won victories over the last decade, weathering out grim tempest of history under the banner of Songun. The greatness of Kim Il Sung's revolutionary exploits was clearly proved in this period. He is, indeed, an eternal leader as he provided a great revolutionary heritage which indicates a bright way for the country and the revolution to follow and leads them to a victory and prosperity even today.
    The Korean revolution has entered a new historical stage of progress where Kim Il Sung's idea and cause are being fully carried to accomplishment in all fields under the banner of Songun.
    The Korean revolution can advance successfully and win victory only when it defends and glorifies his revolutionary exploits based on them.
    It is a fundamental requirement for advancing the Korean revolution along the road of Songun only to glorify his revolutionary heritage.
    His revolutionary idea and exploits are powerfully encouraging the army and the people of the DPRK to advance along the road of the Songun revolution. Fully reflected in his revolutionary exploits are a bright blueprint for the building of a great prosperous powerful nation, a noble example of patriotism to be displayed in the struggle for its materialization and the principle of struggle and creation to be observed generation after generation.
    The Korean people neither vacillate nor hesitate as they have a solid foundation for building a prosperous country that had been bequeathed to them by him. The army and people of the DPRK will in the future, too, bring about the great prosperity of the country with the might of Juche under the uplifted red flag of socialism as desired by him.
    Kim Jong Il's Songun leadership faithfully serves the purpose of successfully materializing Kim Il Sung's idea and cause. The editorial calls on the whole party and army and all the people to singleheartedly uphold Kim Jong Il's Songun leadership.
    Minju Joson editorially notes that thanks to Kim Jong Il, Kim Il Sung's revolutionary life and immortal exploits will shine forever along with the victorious advance of the revolutionary cause of Juche.

President Kim Il Sung and National Anthem

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- The people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea think of President Kim Il Sung whenever the national anthem is played. On August 16, Juche 35(1946), a day after the grand celebration of the first anniversary of the liberation of the country, he called some officials to his office. He said a political function should begin with the playing of the national anthem, but the anniversary had been celebrated without the national anthem. He also said the Korean people seized the power and were building a new country, a national anthem should be created for them. And he explained ideological contents the words of the national anthem should contain and how to compose it.
    When poets and composers finished a song as the national anthem, he found time to read its words and listened to its melody.
    Saying that the melody was not solemn as yet, he told them that the national anthem should make the people picture to themselves the beautiful land of the country and touch their heart. And he indicated how to mend the song.
    An audition for two proposed national anthems was held on June 27, 1947 in the presence of the President.
    After attentively listening to the two songs, he was very satisfied with both of them. Saying that the melody of the first song was more solemn, he recommended it as the national anthem.
    He added that the last part of the song should be repeated so as to raise its ideological and artistic level.
    The national anthem is always kept in the mind of the Korean people as the masterpiece is associated with the distinguished wisdom of the President and his strong sense of patriotism.

New School Year Starts in DPRK

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- The new school year has begun Thursday in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Opening ceremonies were held at all schools throughout the country including Kim Il Sung University, Kim Song Ju Primary School, Pyongyang Middle School No. 1.
    The ceremony places were decorated with streamers welcoming the newcomers and colorful flowers.
    Teachers, pupils, students and parents threw confetti over them when the newcomers were entering schools.
    Reports and speeches were made at the ceremonies.
    The speakers said that leader Kim Jong Il had steadily shown deep care for the development of education though the economic situation of the country was still difficult.
    They called on the pupils and students to study hard to prepare themselves as reliable pillars of the country under the slogan "Let's learn for Korea", true to the lofty intention of Kim Jong Il.
    The ceremonies were followed by first lessons.

Paek Nam Sun Meets New Vietnamese Ambassador

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, foreign minister of the DPRK, met and conversed with Phan Trong Thai, new Vietnamese ambassador e. p. to the DPRK, who paid a courtesy call on him today.

S. Korean Judicial Authorities' Unreasonable Decision Flailed

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- The south Korean judicial authorities at a recent "final trial" of those related to the "remittance to the north" sentenced all of them to one to three years in prison or two to four years of stay of execution, after confirming the original verdict of "guilty" passed on them. A spokesman for the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee in a statement issued on March 31 in this regard said history will certainly punish the anti-reunification group in the name of justice and patriotism and declare not guilty those who were unreasonably charged with "crimes."
    He continued:
    The committee bitterly denounces the recent decision made by the south Korean judicial authorities as a challenge to the historic Pyongyang summit meeting and the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and as an anti-national act of deliberately laying a hurdle in the way of achieving reconciliation and unity between the north and the south.
    The committee makes it clear that the nation does not recognize the recent court decision as it was made by the judicial authorities caving in to the pressure of the ultra-right conservative forces of south Korea.
    It is a publicly recognized fact that the issue of "remittance to the north" can neither be a subject to investigation nor punishment.
    However, the Grand National Party cooked up a system of "special inspection" and kicked off a racket of "trials" through arbitrary practices and pressure. With nothing can it retrieve the consequences entailed by them.
    A businessman who took the lead in the economic cooperation between the north and the south met a tragic death and those who exerted efforts to put an end to the confrontation and mistrust between the fellow countrymen became subject to harsh punishment.
    The reality proves that the judicial authorities of south Korea, who are utterly indifferent to the desire of the fellow countrymen, are a group of man-hunters as they shut their eyes to the thieves and let them lord it over the National Assembly but brandished swords at those who spent a petty amount of money in the dealing between the fellow countrymen.
    Those who go against the trend of the times and the mindset of the people are bound to meet destruction.
    The committee will as ever push forward inter-Korean economic cooperation to achieve national reconciliation and unity and promote co-existence, co-prosperity and common interests of the nation in keeping with the desire and wish of all the Koreans to pave a wide avenue for independent reunification through national cooperation under the banner of the joint declaration.

Gift to Kim Jong Il

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the friendship delegation of the Communist Party of China on a visit to the DPRK. Zeng Xinli, deputy director of the Policy Research Office of the Central Committee of the CPC who is leading the delegation, conveyed the gift to Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, today.

Kim Ki Nam Meets Chinese Party Friendship Delegation

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, today met and had a friendly talk with the friendship delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by Zeng Xinli, deputy director of the Policy Research Office of the Central Committee of the CPC. On hand were officials concerned and the Chinese ambassador e.p. to the DPRK.
    Zeng said that he witnessed achievements the WPK and the Korean people have made in the revolution and construction, inspecting several places during his visit.
    The Chinese and Korean peoples would set store by the friendly relations between the two countries that were forged with blood and consolidate and develop them forever, he said.
    He wished the Korean army and people greater success in their efforts to defend the county and build socialism under the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il.

Kim Jong Il Inspects KPA Unit

     Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, inspected a women's company honored with the title of Twice Three-Revolution Red Flag of KPA unit 1056. He acquainted himself with the company's performance of its duty before watching soldiers' firepower training.
    They strikingly demonstrated the combat capability as one-match-for-a-hundred fighters by fully displaying the combat technique they have acquired through their day-to-day training.
    Seeing them performing their duty quickly and accurately, he expressed great satisfaction over the fact that all commanding officers and soldiers have grown to be stalwart fighters.
    He set forth important tasks which would serve as guidelines in increasing the combat capability of the company.
    He took deep care of the service and living of the soldiers, looking round an education room, a bedroom, a mess hall, a kitchen, a subsidiary food store, a washroom, an outdoor resting place and other places.
    It is very gratifying that the commanding officers and soldiers of the company are remarkably boosting its combat capability in perfect unity while assiduously managing it, he said, underscoring the need to give full play to these proud traits of the revolutionary army.
    This company, which has produced a lot of beautiful stories in the past, has grown to be a collective of laudable women revolutionaries, who are firmly defending the revolutionary cause of Juche with arms, fully armed with the Party's idea, he said, adding that their noble fighting spirit and traits are an example of the Korean women who like to make a revolution and wage a struggle.
    He spared time to see an art performance given by servicepersons of the company.
    He gave them a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle as gifts and had a memorable photo session with them, expressing expectation and conviction that they would perform shining feats in performing the sacred mission to defend the country.

For Spanish-speaking people

Presidente Kim Il Sung e himno nacional

     Pyongyang, el primero de abril (ATCC) -- En todos los rincones de los 5 continentes del mundo resuena el "himno nacional" que contiene el majestuoso ritmo de Corea socialista. Al oir este solemne himno que resuena en los lugares de actos y estadios donde flamea la bandera azul y rojo de la republica el pueblo coreano recuerda con profunda emocion de la respetada imagen del Presidente Kim Il Sung.
    El 16 de agosto del 35 (1946) de la Era Juche fue el dia posterior a la solemne celebracion del primer aniversario de la restauracion de la Patria.
    El presidente llamo a los funcionarios a su despacho para dar detalladas instrucciones referentes al contenido ideologico y el metodo de descripcion de las letras y melodia del himno nacional.
    Las palabras del presidente relativas a la creacion del himno nacional dieron alas a los poetas y compositores quienes dando rienda suelta a la pluma escribieron en un santiamen la obra y la versificaron para completarla.
    Un dia el presidente aun estando atareado gano un tiempo para ver las letras y la melodia y dijo:
    todavia no me parece solemne la melodia hay que elaborarla de manera que al escucharla los oyentes imaginen el territorio coreano de 3 mil ries y tengan un sublime sentimiento, e indico claramente la orientacion de rectificar.
    El 27 de junio de 1947 en presencia del Presidente Kim Il Sung se examinaron dos variantes para el himno nacional.
    El presidente al escucharlas atentamente con profunda conmocion expreso gran satisfaccion y evaluo altamente al decir que aunque las dos canciones son buenas la primera es mas solemne y tiene mas peso que la segunda e hizo definir la primera como himno nacional.
    Tambien hizo repetir la ejecucion de la parte final de la cancion y dio encarecida ensenanza de que esta conviniera a la mision y caracter y la caracteristica general y la calidad ideo-artistica del himno nacional.
    El himno nacional que toda la gente canta con una conciencia inmaculada y espiritu patriotico esta grabado en lo profundo del corazon del pueblo coreano como cancion famosa y obra imperecedera que dieron a luz la gran presciencia y el fervoroso patriotismo del presidente.

RPDC: iniciado nuevo curso escolar

     Pyongyang, el primero de abril (ATCC) -- En Corea se inicio hoy el nuevo curso escolar. Tuvieron lugar al mismo tiempo los actos de inicio del nuevo ano escolar en las escuelas a todos los niveles del pais desde la Universidad Kim Il Sung, la escuela primaria Kim Song Ju, la escuela Chang Dok, la escuela secundaria No. 1 de Pyongyang y otros planteles docentes capitalinos, la escuela secundaria Mubong del distrito de Samjiyon al pie del monte Paektu, la escuela secundaria Phungso del distrito de Onsong en el extremo norte del pais, la escuela primaria Jogang de la ciudad de Kaesong, proxima a la linea de demarcacion hasta las escuelas anexas de las islas de farol de los mares Este y Oeste.
    Los lugares de actos estaban engalanados en colores de fiesta con afiches de bienvenida a los alumnos nuevos y ramos de flores.
    En las ocasiones, los maestros, empleados, alumnos y sus padres felicitaron arrojando confeti a los matriculados nuevos que entraban en la puerta de aprendizaje con las flores en sus pechos.
    Hubo informes e intervenciones.
    Los oradores senalaron que el Dirigente Kim Jong Il, pese a que todo es escaso y dificil presta gran amor y benevolencia para el desarrollo de la labor pedagogica del pais.
    Los alumnos, en acato al gran proposito del Dirigente y con la consigna de "!Aprendamos para Corea!" en alto, deben estudiar asiduamente y prepararse excelentemente como dignos trabajadores futuros del pais, senalaron los oradores.
    Terminados los actos, comenzaron las primeras lecciones del nuevo curso escolar.

Pancartas de XXII Festival Artistico de Amistad Abril en Primavera

     Pyongyang, el primero de abril (ATCC) -- Fueron editadas las pancartas alusivas al XXII Festival Artistico de Amistad Abril en Primavera que tendra lugar con motivo del Dia del Sol (cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung). Entre ellas figuran las pancartas que describen las flores Kimilsungias y Kimjongilias, palomas volando sobre flores, la consigna "!Cantemos altamente la cancion de la independencia, la paz y la amistad!" y los aspectos de los artistas con emblema del festival en alto.
    Tambien hay el afiche que describe a los artistas de numerosos paises del mundo en Pyongyang cantando canciones con pasion y tocando varios instrumentos musicales.
    Otros afiches describen a los artistas bailando con elegantes ritmos y los acrobatas cumpliendo habiles movimientos en el aire.