Greetings to Queen of Denmark

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Margrethe II, queen of Denmark, on April 14 on the occasion of its national day. The message sincerely wished her good health and happiness and the Danish people wellbeing and prosperity.

Reception in Honor of Participants in April Spring Art Festival

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- The Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly hosted a reception at the People's Palace of Culture on Thursday evening in honor of the participants in the 22nd April Spring Friendship Art Festival on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. Present on invitation were foreign delegations and delegates, foreign artistes and overseas Korean artistes participating in the festival.
    On hand were Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the SPA Presidium, Jong Ha Chol, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Jong Ho, chairman of the organizing committee of the festival, Jong Mun San, chief secretary of the Cabinet, Ryang Man Gil, chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, the vice chairmen of the organizing committee of the festival and officials concerned. Speeches were made there.

Congratulations to Sri Lankan Prime Minister

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Mahindra Rajapakse upon his appointment as prime minister of Sri Lanka. Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger, the message wished him greater success in his responsible work.

14th National Festival of Loyalty of Youth and Children Closes

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- The 14th national festival of loyalty of youth and children which opened on February 11 was closed with due ceremony at the Central Youth Hall on April 15. A result of the jury of the festival was released at the ceremony.
    In the festival, divided into political, economic, artistic and sports ones, the Pyongyang city organization placed first in total and the South Hamgyong and South Phyongan Provincial organizations second and third.
    Commendations of the Central Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, a cup and prize banner were awarded to those organizations which proved successful.
    Kim Kyong Ho, first secretary of the Central Committee of the socialist youth league, in a closing address said that the festival served as a significant festival in which all the organizations of the league and youth and children fully showed their faith and rock-firm will to give full play to the wisdom and spirit of the Songun youth vanguard in the worthwhile struggle to build a great prosperous powerful nation under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, holding President Kim Il Sung in high esteem for all ages as the sun of Juche.
    Present at the ceremony were Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and others.

Kim Jong Il's Work Published in Guinea

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il's famous work "The Workers' Party of Korea Is the Party of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung" was brought out in booklet by the National Education Publishing House of Guinea on April 6.

Reception Given for Overseas Koreans

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- A reception arranged by leader Kim Jong Il for overseas Koreans on the occasion of the Day of the Sun, was given at the Mansudae Art Theatre on April 15. Present there were delegations of Koreans in Japan, the General Association of Koreans in China, the Federation of Koreans in the U.S., the International United Confederation of Koreans, the Federation of Koreans in Canada, the Federation of Koreans in Australia, the Society for Cooperation among Koreans in Germany and the Patriotic Woodland of Chongryon (General Association of Korean Residents in Japan) and other overseas Koreans on a visit to the socialist homeland.
    Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, in a speech said that the whole life of President Kim Il Sung shine brightly as a history of a peerlessly great man who devoted himself only to the country's prosperity, people's happiness and the human cause of independence.
    The immortal revolutionary exploits of the President are being successfully carried forward by Kim Jong Il, who is identical with the President in ideology, leadership, will, grit, personality and virtue, he noted.
    He expressed expectation that all the overseas Koreans would as ever hold the President in high esteem forever as the sun of Juche, build up their organizations under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, and actively contribute to the sacred cause of patriotism for the prosperity of the socialist homeland and reunification of the country.
    Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman of the Chongryon Central Standing Committee who is head of the delegation of Koreans in Japan, in a speech said that, enjoying the benevolent reception on the Day of the Sun, he longed for the President more ardently and looked back on the noble life of the President devoted to the overseas Koreans.
    He said that all the Koreans overseas are glorifying the dignity and honor of being overseas citizens of Songun Korea, enjoying great love generation after generation under the loving care of Kim Jong Il, illustrious commander of Mt. Paektu and the bright sun in the 21st century.
    All the overseas Koreans will firmly defend and preserve the patriotic tradition and heritage provided by the President, keeping in mind more deeply the confidence that eternal victory is in store for them on the road of Juche following the great sun, and strengthen all the organizations of overseas Koreans as overseas compatriots organizations of Juche type,he stressed.
    An art performance was given there.

DPRK Orders and Medals Awarded to Foreign Figures

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- A ceremony was held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall yesterday to confer orders and medals of the DPRK on visiting foreign figures on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. At the ceremony Friendship Orders Second Class were awarded to Sakae Araki, deputy secretary general of the International Institute of the Juche Idea, Fujio Hanawa, secretary general of the Japanese National Liaison Council of Societies for the Study of Juche Idea, N. Sarantuya, executive chairman of the Mongolian Mt Paektu Association, and Songchit Pullarp, chairman of the Organization for the Study of Juche Idea of Thailand, who have supported the Korean people in their efforts for the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation of Juche and independent reunification of the country and actively studied and disseminated the immortal Juche idea and conducted the movement for friendship and solidarity with humble reverence for President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il. And the Friendship Medals were conferred on 8 figures.
    Present at the ceremony were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Kim Yong Il, vice-chairman of the Korean Social Scientists Association, officials concerned and Vishwanath, director general of the International Institute of the Juche Idea, and members of delegations of foreign organizations for the study of Juche idea.

U.S. Moves to Establish MD under Fire

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Kadish, director of the Missile Defence Agency of the U.S. Defence Department, at a recent sub-committee meeting of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee called for pushing forward the establishment of the Missile Defence System (MD), saying that "governments and companies around the world are expressing greater interests in participating in the widening effort to develop defenses against ballistic missiles. " Commenting on this Minju Joson today says that the U.S. MD moves aimed to establish the sphere of military domination over the world would only spark off a new arms race and strain the situation.
    The news analyst goes on:
    It is clearly proved by the recent situation of the Korean peninsula.
    The U.S. is now shipping update war means into the Korean peninsula and surrounding areas under the pretext of "missile defence" in a bid to stifle the DPRK by force of arms and put its Asia strategy into practice.
    These moves are laying a big stumbling block in the way of seeking a peaceful negotiated settlement of the nuclear issue and are placing the Korean peninsula on the tense situation on the eve of the outbreak of the second Korean war.
    There is no guarantee that this would not become another source of threatening Northeast Asian and global peace and security beyond the boundary of the Korean peninsula.
    All the peace-loving people of the world should see through the aggressive and dangerous nature of the Bush group”Ēs reckless moves to establish the MD and keep sharper vigilance against the U.S., the commentary concludes.

Evening Gala and Art Performance Held

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- An evening gala was held by youth and students in Pyongyang and an art performance was given by schoolchildren to commemorate the Day of the Sun. Evening gala of youth and students in Pyongyang took place at Kim Il Sung Square. Senior officials of the Party, state and army and chairpersons of the friendly parties took the platform.
    Present on invitation were overseas compatriots on a visit to the socialist homeland, diplomatic envoys and staff members of the foreign embassies here and foreign guests.
    The participants danced to the tune of such songs as "We Sing of Our Homeland Holding Leader in High Esteem," "We Visit Mangyongdae," "Our General Is Best" and "My Country Is a Large Family of Songun," turning the square into the sea of dancers.
    Overseas compatriots and foreign guests joined the dancers, adding to the festive mood.
    And evening galas of youth and students were held in every province, city and county yesterday.
    A performance was given by the art circle members of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace at the palace and a performance of the 43rd National Art Festival of Schoolchildren was held at the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Palace.
    They were appreciated by senior Party and state officials, chairpersons of the friendly parties and overseas compatriots on a visit to the socialist homeland.
    Present on invitation were diplomatic envoys and staff members of the foreign embassies here and foreign guests.
    The performers proudly sang of their great joy of significantly commemorating the April holiday, a jubilee common to the humankind, and their ardent yearning and unbounded reverence for President Kim Il Sung who took a warm care of the children, calling them "king" of the country.

Joint Meeting with Members of Delegations of Juche Idea Study Groups Held

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- A joint friendly meeting of members of the delegations of the Juche idea study groups was held in Pyongyang on Thursday to commemorate the Day of the Sun. Present there were Vishwanath, director general of the International Institute of the Juche Idea (IIJI), and his party, the delegation of the Secretariat of the IIJI headed by its Deputy Secretary General Sakae Araki, members of the delegations of the Juche idea study groups of different countries on a visit to the DPRK and Kim Yong Il, vice-chairman of the Korean Social Scientists' Association, and other officials concerned.
    Vishwanath in his speech said that April 15, 1912, was the day when the eternal sun of the humankind was born and President Kim Il Sung provided the today of Songun politics that guarantees the socialist cause and the bright future of the global cause of independence.
    Saying that they are disciples of the President, the sun of Juche, and leader Kim Jong Il, he called upon all the participants to remain loyal to the cause of Juche to the end with the pride and self-confidence of being the followers of the Juche idea.
    Kim Yong Il in his speech said that the immortal revolutionary feats of the President will shine forever and the Korean people will dynamically struggle for the accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche, upholding the Songun politics of Kim Jong Il.
    Then the participants significantly commemorated the Day of the Sun, a holiday common to the humankind, singing songs and dancing.

Day of Sun Commemorated in Korea

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- The Korean people and schoolchildren and students have significantly commemorated the Day of the Sun in Juche 93 (2004), 10 years after the cause of perpetuating the memory of the President started in Korea. On the occasion, working people from all walks of life, servicepersons of the Korean People's Army and schoolchildren and students visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, the supreme temple of Juche, to pay tribute to President Kim Il Sung and laid floral baskets and bouquets before his statues on Mansu Hill in capital and at provincial seats, revolutionary battle sites and historical sites before taking the oath of pledge.
    The Korean Revolution Museum where President's immortal revolutionary history and fighting exploits are on display and the sixth Kimilsungia Festival were visited by an endless stream of people.
    Colorful commemorative functions were held in different places.
    Artistes of the Mansudae Art Troupe, the Pyongyang Circus, the Ensemble of the Ministry of the People's Security and other art groups and members of the art agitation squads of institutions and enterprises gave performances at different places of the capital including Mangyongdae, a sacred place of the revolution, the plaza of the Arch of Triumph, the fun fair on Mt. Taesong and the plaza of the Three Revolution Exhibition, adding to the festive mood.
    Working people in Jagang, North Hamgyong and Kangwon Provinces and Kaesong City and members of the Democratic Women's Union of Korea in Hamhung City presented peculiar large choruses.
    Working people and schoolchildren and students in Ryanggang, North Phyongan, North Hwanghae and South Hamgyong Provinces held song-presentation meetings, oath-taking gatherings, virtue story-telling sessions, etc.
    Meanwhile, colorful art performances, sports and amusement games and evening galas took place in all provinces, cities and counties, at factories, enterprises, cooperative farms and schools in commemoration of the Day of the Sun.

Kim Jong Il Sends Greetings to Syrian President

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, today sent a message of greetings to Bashar al-Assad, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Baath Arab Socialist Party and president of Syria, on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of its independence. The message extended warm congratulations to the president and the friendly Syrian government and people on the occasion.
    It said that the Syrian Arab people have made many achievements in different fields to achieve the prosperity of the country under the correct leadership of the Baath Arab Socialist Party since its independence, an event of turning significance in the modern history of Syria.
    The Korean people extend full support and firm solidarity to the president and the Syrian Arab people in their just struggle to defend the sovereignty of the country and the dignity of the nation and seek a fair and comprehensive solution to the Mid-east issue, meeting the outsiders' challenge to prevent Syria from making progress, the message noted.
    It expressed the conviction that the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would as ever grow stronger and develop and sincerely wished the president good health and happiness.

Kim Yong Nam Sends Greetings to Syrian President

     Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today sent a message of greetings to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the independence of Syria. The message extended warm congratulations to the president and the friendly Syrian government and people on the occasion.
    Over the last 58 years since the independence of the country the Syrian Arab people have made many achievements in their efforts to defend the dignity of the nation and the sovereignty of the country and build a new prosperous society, the message said, and went on:
    The Korean people are sincerely rejoiced over this and extend full support and solidarity to the Syrian Arab people in their just cause to achieve the country's progress and modernization and solve the Mid-east issue fairly and comprehensively.
    The message expressed the belief that the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to grow stronger and sincerely wished the friendly Syrian people greater progress and prosperity.

Kim Jong Il Inspects Unit of KPA Air Force

     Pyongyang, April 16 (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 unit 344 of the KPA air force. Kim Jong Il, conducted by the commander of the unit, looked round the monument to the on-the-spot guidance of President Kim Il Sung and the room devoted to the history of the unit.
    Noting that the unit has covered a road of victory and glory thanks to the President's wise leadership and meticulous care, he said the immortal revolutionary exploits performed by the President in building the country's air force will remain shining along with the history of the matchless air force.
    After acquainting himself with the unit's performance of its duty, he watched the training of airmen and technical servicemen in the technical lecture hall.
    He dropped in at the flight preparation room to learn about the airmen's combat readiness. He praised them for reliably defending the sky over the country, pleased to learn that they are always ready to go into action and fully prepared to courageously beat back any enemy attack.
    He took deep care of their service and living as their father would do, going round an education room, a bedroom, a mess hall, a kitchen, a washroom, a store and other places of the unit.
    He had a photo session with the servicepersons of the unit, expressing expectation and conviction that they would firmly defend the Korean revolution and socialist country with arms.
    He was accompanied by KPA Generals Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong, Col. General O Kum Chol, commander of the KPA air force, and Ri Yong Chol, member of the Central Military Commission of the WPK and first deputy department director of its Central Committee

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il envia mensaje de felicitacion al presidente de Siria

     Pyongyang, 16 de abril (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, envio el dia 16 un mensaje de felicitacion a Su Majestad Bashar al-Assad, secretario general del Comite Central del Partido Socialista del Resurgimiento Arabe (BAAS) y presidente de la Republica Arabe de Siria (RAS) con motivo del 58 aniversario de la independencia de este pais. El remitente envia calurosa felicitacion al destinatario, al amistoso gobierno y pueblo de la RAS y continua:
    Despues de la independencia que tiene significacion de viraje en la historia contemporanea del pais, el pueblo arabe de Siria, bajo la acertada direccion del BAAS, ha logrado muchos exitos en las labores de distintos dominios para la prosperidad del pais.
    El pueblo coreano expresa irrestricto apoyo y firme solidaridad con la justa lucha del pueblo arabe de Siria por defender la soberania del pais y la dignidad de la nacion frente a los desafios de las fuerzas extranjeras con el fin de detener el avance de Siria y por resolver el problema del Oriente Medio de manera imparcial y comprensiva.
    Convencido de que las tradicionales relaciones de amistad y cooperacion entre los dos paises seguiran fortaleciendose y desarrollandose en el futuro tambien, le deseo de todo corazon a usted buena salud y felicidad.

Guinea: obra de Kim Jong Il en folleto

     Pyongyang, 16 de abril (ATCC) -- La Editorial de Educacion Nacional de Guinea dio a luz el dia 6 en folleto la imperecedera obra clasica del Dirigente Kim Jong Il "El Partido del Trabajo de Corea es el partido del gran Lider camarada Kim Il Sung".

RPDC conmemora significativamente el Dia del Sol

     Pyongyang, 16 de abril (ATCC) -- Los jovenes, ninos escolares y otros habitantes coreanos conmemoraron significativamente el Dia del Sol (cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung) del 93 (2004) de la Era Juche, la decima fiesta desde cuando comenzo la causa de eternizar al lider. En ocasion de esa efemeride, los trabajadores de distintos estratos, oficiales y soldados del Ejercito Popular de Corea, jovenes y ninos escolares acudieron al Palacio Memorial Kumsusan, maximo lugar sagrado del Juche para rendir tributo al Presidente Kim Il Sung, depositaron cestos y ramos de flores ante sus estatuas de bronce en la capitalina colina Mansu, las cabeceras de toda las provincias y los lugares historicos de combate y de revolucion y tomaron juramento de fidelidad.
    No cesaron de visitar el Museo de la Revolucion Coreana donde estan sintetizadas la imperecedera historia revolucionaria y hazanas de lucha del Presidente y el escenario del VI Festival de Kimilsungias.
    En distintas partes tuvieron lugar variados actos de conmemoracion.
    En Mangyongdae, lugar sagrado de la revolucion, la Plaza del Arco Triunfal, el Parque de Recreacion del Monte Taesong, la plaza de la Exposicion Permanente de Tres Revoluciones y otros lugares de la capital, los artistas del Conjunto Artistico Mansudae, el Conjunto Circense de Pyongyang, el Conjunto Artistico del Ministerio de Seguridad del Pueblo y otras entidades artisticas y los miembros de grupos de propaganda artistica de los organos y empresas efectuaron sus funciones aumentando mas el ambiente festivo.
    Los trabajadores de las provincias de Jagang, Hamgyong del Norte y Kangwon y la ciudad de Kaesong y las miembros de la Union de Mujeres en la ciudad de Hamhung ofrecieron tipicas funciones de gran coro.
    Los trabajadores, jovenes y ninos escolares de las provincias de Ryanggang, Phyong-an del Norte, Hwanghae del Norte y Hamgyong del Sur efectuaron varios actos, entre otros, acto de juramento y charla referente a las virtudes del Presidente.
    Por otra parte, en todas las provincias, ciudades, distritos, fabricas, empresas, granjas cooperativas y escuelas celebraron funciones artisticas,
    competencias deportivas, juegos de recreo y veladas en conmemoracion de esa efemeride.