Certificate of Honorary Citizenship Awarded to Kim Jong Il

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- A certificate of honorary citizenship of Rafael Lara Grajales, Puebla, Mexico, was awarded to leader Kim Jong Il. The certificate reads: "The Rafael Lara Grajales City Office, Puebla State, has the pleasure to present the certificate of honorary citizenship to HE Kim Jong Il, the great leader of the Korean people, who has made a great contribution to the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the Mexican people and the Korean people. April 9, 2004. Mayor of Rafael Lara Grajales City Antonio Esperon Mora."
    The certificate was conveyed with due ceremony at the city office on April 13.
    The mayor, addressing the ceremony, said that it is the greatest honor for the city to have Kim Jong Il as an honorary citizen, adding that he is the great leader who has glorified Korea as the best country for the people in the world and a world-famous man.

Statements Issued on Day of Sun

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- Prominent figures of Bangladesh issued statements to the press on April 10 and 12 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. Rashed Khan Menon, chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, said that President Kim Il Sung was a great thinker who indicated the road ahead of humankind with an outstanding idea and a seasoned politician in the 20th century who realized the centuries-old desire of the Korean people to live in a new world free from exploitation and oppression.
    Whenever the U.S. imperialists hatched new plots to bring the DPRK to its knees, they fought against them, have always supported the principled stand of the DPRK government for the reunification of the Korean peninsula and will as ever support the just cause of the Korean people, he noted.
    Nurul Anowar, secretary general of the Bangladesh Union of Agricultural Workers, said that it is a due duty of the world revolutionary people to protect socialism of Korea from imperialist invasion and recalled that the progressive people of Bangladesh have conducted solidarity activities against the U.S. imperialists' moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK and thus fully supported the struggle of the Korean people.
    Hoping that Korea would be reunified under the banner of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, he expressed the conviction that the energetic activities of leader Kim Jong Il would bring a new victory and honor to the Korean people and the world revolutionary people.

Sister City Ties Established between DPRK and Mexico

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- An agreement on opening the sister city ties between Sariwon, the DPRK, and Rafael Lara Grajales, Puebla State, Mexico, was signed in Rafael Lara Grajales on April 13. It was inked by DPRK Ambassador to Mexico Ri Kang Se and Mayor of Rafael Lara Grajales Antonio Esperon Mora.

Peruvian National Meeting Held

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- A Peruvian national meeting took place at the building of the Peruvian Teachers' Unique Trade Union on April 12 to commemorate the Day of the Sun. At the meeting speakers said that President Kim Il Sung was the greatest man in the 20th century who founded the immortal Juche idea, led the socialist revolution and construction in Korea to a victory and made great contributions to the development of the socialist movement of the world and global independence.
    They said his cause has been creditably carried forward by leader Kim Jong Il and spoke highly of his greatness.
    The meeting adopted a letter to him.
    Present were leading officials of political parties and organisations and officials of the Juche idea study organisations and organisations for friendship with the Korean people.
    Present on invitation was the DPRK ambassador to Peru.

S. Korean Labour Organizations on Victory in Election

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- The (south) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in a statement on April 15 said that the Democratic Workers' Party owes its victory in the "general election" to all the people on this land including workers, peasants, the populace, intellectuals, youth and students, according to a press report. The statement said that the significance of the victory in the election to the 17th-term "National Assembly" lies in that it made a big rupture in the conservative forces' monopoly over the NA and the alliance dominated by them and provided a chance of turning the NA torn with political strife among corrupt forces amidst the politics-business nexus into a platform for new politics for the workers and peasants.
    Meanwhile, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions in a commentary on April 16 said that the Democratic Workers' Party advanced into the NA through the election, thus realizing the people's desire to build political forces representing the labour movement and the progressive camp in south Korea

Youth and Students Called Upon to Consolidate Victory in "General Election"

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- The director of the Youth and Students Department of the Central Committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea issued a statement on April 19 on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the April 19 Popular Uprising,according to the Internet site of Kuguk Jonson. The popular uprising which was triggered off by the struggle of youth and students was a vivid expression of their unquenchable desire and will for new politics, life and system, he said, adding that it recorded a brilliant page in the history of the movement for democracy against fascism as it was the first victory in the struggle to destroy the stronghold of dictatorship.
    In the struggle for the victory in the election to the 17th-term "National Assembly" the youth and students displayed the same spirit as was done during the April 19 popular uprising and made great contributions to meting out a stern judgement to the conservative forces who worked hard to revive fascism on this land and enforce a corrupt and dark rule as they did through the preceding election and resolutely foiling their plot to bring the NA under their control, he noted.
    He called on all patriotic youth and students to consolidate the victory in the election and carry on their dynamic advance for independence against the U.S. to bring about new politics, system and life.

Friendship Meeting with Syrian Embassy Officials

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- A friendship meeting with staff members of the Syrian embassy here was held at Korea-Syria Friendship Pyongyang Junghwa Middle School on April 20 on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of Syria's independence. Present on invitation were Muhammad Adib Alhani, charge d'affaires ad interim and staff members of the Syrian embassy here.
    Present were Jon Hyon Chan, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is vice-chairman of the Korea-Syria Friendship Association, officials concerned and teachers and students of the school.
    The participants heard an explanation about the monument to President Kim Il Sung's on-the-spot instructions standing at the compound of the school.
    After looking round the class room, laboratory and practice room visited by Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il, they saw an art performance given by its students and talked to one another about the need to boost the friendly relations between the two countries.

Photo Exhibition Held at Cuban Embassy

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- Giraldo Abreu Morales, military attache of the Cuban embassy here, arranged a photo exhibition at the embassy on April 20 on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the Cuban people's victory in the Playa Giron Battle. Present on invitation were officers of the Korean People's Army and officials concerned.
    Ambassador Esteban Lobaina Romero and staff members of the embassy were present there.
    The participants looked round photos on the Playa Giron Battle in which the Cuban people achieved a historic victory under the leadership of Fidel Castro Ruz and photos showing their struggle for protecting the revolutionary gains and socialism.
    They went round with deep emotion the "Friendship Room" devoted to the historic photos of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il meeting Fidel Castro Ruz for the first time at Pyongyang Airport upon the latter's arrival there and other photos on the President's visit to the Cuban embassy here.
    They talked to one another on the need to boost the friendly relations between the two armies and peoples.

DPRK Wrestler Wins Asian Title

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- Ri Yong Chol, wrestler of the Jangsan Sports Group of the DPRK, won a gold medal in the 60 kg division at the Asian Freestyle Wrestling Championships for 2004 held in Iran from April 16 to 18. He defeated the south Korean rival 11-1 in the semi-final after coming first in the preliminary matches.
    At the final match, he fought down the Iranian rival 5-2 by bringing the tactical aim of his rival under his control.
    The championships brought together ace wrestlers from 14 countries and regions of Asia.

U.S., Chief Criminal of Human Rights Abuses

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- The United States and the ultra-right conservative forces in south Korea are now kicking up dust over a fictitious "human rights problem" in the DPRK. Terming this another anti-DPRK smear campaign, Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article says it is nothing but a manifestation of sinister attempts to cover up their crimes in violating the human rights of the south Korean people and the woeful human rights record in south Korean society. It goes on:
    The people's dignity and sovereignty are wantonly trampled upon in south Korea dominated by the United States.
    The human rights problem in south Korea is directly linked with the U.S. imperialists' policy of subjugation. The successive south Korean regimes which have been no more than tools of the colonial rule of the U.S. have mercilessly trampled underfoot the independent rights of the people by heinous acts of flunkeyist treachery and fascist repressive rule. The working people, therefore, are undergoing misfortunes and sufferings, denied all the rights man should enjoy, from the right of social and political life to the right to existence, the most elementary right in human life.
    The right to genuine political life can be said to be the rudiment of the human rights but the working people in south Korea are barred by law from free participation in political life.
    The south Korean working people are languishing in non-rights and poverty. Such being the case, south Korea has not yet cleared itself of the shameful stigma of "a grave of democracy" and "a barren land of human rights".
    The U.S. is, in fact, the very one which has caused the serious human rights record in south Korea and the U.S. imperialist aggression troops stationed in south Korea are the chief criminal in it.
    The article calls upon the south Korean people to drive away the U.S. imperialist aggression troops forcing political non-rights and monstrous slavery on them and maltreating them like beasts and make the south Korean society independent and democratic.

Japan's Schemings to Repeat History of Aggression Assailed

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- As already reported, the Fukuoka District Court at a trial of the legality of the incumbent Japanese chief executive's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine ruled that his visit was a violation of the constitution. But, dissatisfied with the judgment, he said he would visit the shrine in the future, too, protesting that he could hardly understand why it was against the constitution when he paid the visit according to his individual faith. In this regard, Rodong Sinmun in an article today notes that the Japanese reactionaries are going to instill the conscience of aggression deeply into the Japanese and get support from them by highly honoring and respecting the war criminals through the visit to the shrine and thereby realize their wild ambition for overseas aggression at any cost.
    The article goes on:
    The present Japanese ruling quarters are the most reactionary and ultra-right conservative defenders and revivers of militarism among the successive forces in power in Japan. Typical proof of this is that they have sped up the creation of institutional devices for the conversion of Japan into a military power and overseas aggression with greater zeal than ever before, enacted various war-related laws in disregard of the "peace constitution" and dispatched "SDF" troops to combat zones for military operations.
    It is very ill-boding that the Japanese reactionaries are scheming to put the visit to the shrine on a regular, formal and mass basis. This is, in essence, the building of the foundation of militaristic idea for overseas aggression and agitation of a war. The fiercer the wind of the visit to the shrine, the wilder the moves for militarization, building of a military power and overseas aggression.
    The danger of a war by Japan is daily growing and peace and security are facing a grave threat in Asia. The Asian people should put up a stiff fight to block the Japanese reactionaries' visit to the Yasukuni Shrine and their moves for overseas aggression.

Wreaths Laid before Statue and Grave of Kang Pan Sok

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- Wreaths were laid before the statue of Kang Pan Sok, an indomitable revolutionary fighter and an outstanding leader of the women's movement in Korea, in the Chilgol Revolutionary Site in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, and her grave in Mangyongdae today on the occasion of the 112th anniversary of her birth. Wreaths sent by 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, were seen standing before her statue and grave.
    Attending the wreath-laying ceremonies were Jon Pyong Ho, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, Kim Kuk Thae, Kim Ki Nam, Ro Tu Chol, Ri Jong San and Kim Ryong Yon, officials of the Party and power organs, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions and servicepersons of the KPA and working people in the city.
    Wreaths in the name of the Central Committee of the WPK and the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK and the DPRK Cabinet were laid before her statue and grave amid the playing of the wreath-laying music.
    Placed there then were wreaths in the name of the working people's organizations, ministries, national institutions, military schools of the KPA, party and power bodies, educational institutions and farms in the city.
    The participants paid silent tribute to her, looking back on her brilliant life and revolutionary exploits.

Symbolic of Close Friendship

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- The exhibition stand of the Indonesian embassy in Pyongyang is attracting close attention of the visitors to the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Exhibition where the 6th Kimilsungia Festival is going on. The stand reflects deep reverence of the embassy officials and people of Indonesia for President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il.
    Hanging in the center of the stand wall is a photograph of President Kim Il Sung, together with President Sukarno, looking round the Bogor Botanical Garden during his state visit to Indonesia in April Juche 54 (1965). Below it there is figure 40, which is symbolic of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The figure is flanked by a photograph of Kim Il Sung, who provided friendship between the two countries, being with Sukarno and a photograph of leader Kim Jong Il, who has further developed the bilateral friendship, had taken with President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
    The two photographs are again flanked by pictures of the Arch of Triumph in Korea and Borobudur Temple in Indonesia, symbolizing the eternal friendship between the two nations.
    Exhibited in the centre of the stand are ten Kimilsungia pots surrounded by sixteen Kimjongilia pots. The stand is also decorated with rare plants.

Chilgol Revolutionary Site

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- The Chilgol Revolutionary Site in Pyongyang has been visited by an endless stream of Korean servicemen and people, overseas compatriots and foreigners. In Chilgol Kang Pan Sok, an indomitable revolutionary fighter and prominent leader of the Korean women's emancipation movement, was born and spent her childhood. In the revolutionary site is also a house where President Kim Il Sung stayed during his Changdok School days after coming back to the fatherland by making a 250-mile journey for learning alone at the age of 11.
    Kang Pan Sok was wife and comrade-in-arms of Kim Hyong Jik, an outstanding leader of the anti-Japanese national liberation movement, mother of Kim Il Sung, a great revolutionary, and the chairwoman of the Anti-Japanese Women's Association, the first revolutionary organization of women in Korea.
    She dedicated her whole life to the liberation of the country, the happiness of the people and the emancipation of the women in defiance of all difficulties and danger.
    On the occasion of her 112th birth anniversary (April 21, 1892), Pak Kyong Ae, a section chief of the Chilgol Revolutionary Museum, had an interview with KCNA. According to her, the visitors to the revolutionary site over the past five decades total more than 12,272,000, some 52,000 overseas compatriots belonging to about 400 organizations and 18,000 odd foreigners included.
    The visitors make a bow to her statue standing in front of her old home.
    Kim Chung Song, an officer of the Korean People's Army, said after visiting the revolutionary site:
    The Korean people's pride of having had great leaders and brilliant commanders through generations is unthinkable without Kang Pan Sok, mother of Korea.
    We servicemen will always remain infinitely faithful to leader Kim Jong Il, as the first and second generations of the Korean revolution did to President Kim Il Sung, true to the noble intention of Kang Pan Sok.
    Jong Mun San, chief secretary of the Cabinet, said the great image of Kang Pan Sok would always be kept in the mind of the people and that the Korean people would fully demonstrate the honor of Kim Il Sung's Korea by making a rapid progress in the building of a great prosperous powerful nation under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.

Yang Hyong Sop Meets Indian Ambassador e.p. to DPRK

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, met and conversed with Rich Pal Singh, Indian ambassador e.p. to the DPRK who paid a farewell call on him, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.

Delegation of South Korean Red Cross Visits C.C., Red Cross Society of DPRK

     Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the south Korean Red Cross led by its President Ri Yun Gu visited the Central Committee of the Red Cross Society of the DPRK today. Jang Jae On, chairman of the Central Committee of the Red Cross Society of the DPRK, and officials concerned greeted and conversed with the members of the delegation with compatriotic feelings.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il recibe titulo de ciudadano honorario de Mexico

     Pyongyang, 21 de abril (ATCC) -- Al Dirigente Kim Jong Il le otorgo el titulo de ciudadano honorario la ciudad de Rafael Lara Grajales del Estado de Puebla de Mexico. En el diploma se leia: "El Ayuntamiento de la ciudad de Rafael Lara Grajales del Estado de Puebla otorga este certificado de ciudadano honorario a Su Excelencia Kim Jong Il, gran Lider del pueblo coreano, quien hizo un gran aporte al desarrollo de las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion entre el pueblo mexicano y el coreano. El 9 de abril de 2004, Antonio Esperon Mora, alcalde de Rafael Lara Grajales."
    En la ceremonia de entrega del documento celebrada el dia 13 en el mismo Ayuntamiento, el alcalde dijo que tener a Su Excelencia Kim Jong Il, gran Dirigente del pueblo coreano, como ciudadano honorario constituye maximo honor de la ciudad y enfatizo que este es el gran dirigente y hombre muy prestigioso en el mundo, quien hace brillar a Corea como un pais mas favorable al pueblo en el orbe.

Exhibicion de fotos en la Embajada de Cuba

     Pyongyang, 21 de abril (ATCC) -- El agregado militar de la Embajada de la Republica de Cuba en la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Giraldo Abreu Morales, ofrecio el dia 20 en la sede diplomatica una exhibicion de fotos en conmemoracion del 43 aniversario del triunfo del pueblo cubano en la batalla de Playa Giron,. Fueron invitados los oficiales del Ejercito Popular de Corea y otros funcionarios correspondientes.
    Estuvieron presentes el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario, Esteban Lobaina Romero, y otros miembros de la sede diplomatica.
    Los participantes vieron las fotos alusivas a la batalla de Playa Giron en la cual el pueblo cubano logro un triunfo historico bajo la direccion del estimado companero, Fidel Castro Ruz, y las otras que demuestran aspectos de lucha del pueblo cubano por salvaguardar las conquistas de la revolucion y el socialismo.
    Tambien recorrieron con gran emocion la "Sala de amistad", donde estan exhibidas las fotos que demuestran un aspecto historico del primer encuentro en el aeropuerto de Pyongyang entre el Presidente Kim Il Sung, el Dirigente Kim Jong Il y el mandatario cubano arribando a Corea, y las otras alusivas a la visita del Presidente a la Embajada de Cuba en nuestro pais.
    Acto seguido, los participantes estrecharon el sentimiento de amistad departiendose sobre el tema de desarrollar aun mas las relaciones de amistad entre los ejercitos y los pueblos de los dos paises.

Peru: mitin central por el Dia del Sol

     Pyongyang, 21 de abril (ATCC) -- El mitin central del Peru en conmemoracion del Dia del Sol (cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung) tuvo lugar el dia 12 en la sede del Unico Sindicato Nacional Peruano de Pedagogos. En la ocasion los oradores senalaron que el estimado camarada Kim Il Sung es el mas gran hombre del siglo 20 quien creo la inmortal idea Juche, condujo a la victoria la revolucion y la construccion socialistas en Corea e hizo un gran aporte al desarrollo del movimiento socialista y a la realizacion de la causa de la independencia en el mundo.
    Destacaron que la causa del Presidente Kim Il Sung la lleva adelante el Dirigente Kim Jong Il, y alabaron altamente la noble personalidad de este. .
    En el acto se aprobo una carta dirigida al Dirigente.
    Estuvieron presentes los funcionarios responsables de partidos politicos y entidades, funcionarios de las organizaciones de estudio de la Idea Juche y de amistad con el pueblo coreano e invitado el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de Corea en Peru.