Kim Jong Il Receives Russian Foreign Minister

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, Monday received Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov on a visit to the DPRK. On hand were First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Sok Ju and Russian Ambassador e.p. to the DPRK Andrei Gennadievich Karlov.
    Sergei Lavrov conveyed a personal letter from Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin to Kim Jong Il and presented him with his own gift.
    Kim Jong Il thanked for this and had a conversation with him in a cordial atmosphere.

Former "Sekigun" Members Request Help in Their Return to Japan

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The Korean Central News Agency released a report Monday, which says: Former members of the Japanese "Sekigun", who came to the DPRK by the plane Yodo of the Japan Airlines in April 1970 to escape from the political suppression by the Japanese authorities while waging a movement for peace against war in Japan and have since led a life of political exile here, sent to the DPRK government a letter requesting help in their return to Japan.
    They in the letter clearly manifested their stand to retune to Japan because there is no need for them to stay in the DPRK any longer, most of their family members having already gone to Japan, and they formerly requested the DPRK government to help them directly meet officials concerned of the Japanese government and discuss the matter of their return.
    The DPRK has no objection to their wish to return home.
    The Yodo issue is an internal affair of the Japanese themselves which should be directly discussed and settled between the Japanese government side and former members of the "Sekigun."
    Therefore, the Yodo issue will be fully solved if the Japanese side meet with them and take them away after taking necessary business-like procedures through discussion.

Month of Solidarity with Korean People Opens

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The opening ceremony of a month of solidarity with the Korean people was held in Democratic Congo on June 25 under the sponsorship of the Democratic Congo-Korea Friendship and Solidarity Association on the occasion of the month of joint struggle against the U.S. (June 25-July 27). Otete Gaston Mboyo, chairman of the National Committee of the Genuine Lumumbist Patriotic Party of Democratic Congo and chairman of the Democratic Congo-Korea Friendship and Solidarity Association, made a speech, which was followed by speeches of public figures including the chairman of the Working Citizens' Association and the general secretary of the People's Rally for Socialism. Noting that the Korean war broke out due to the premeditated armed invasion by the United States, they exposed and denounced the aggressive acts committed by the U.S. imperialists against the DPRK ever since the ceasefire. They hit at the interference of outside forces in the matter of Korean reunification and moves of the south Korean flunkeyist traitorous forces against reunification.
    A statement was adopted at the ceremony which noted that the U.S. was still bringing the situation to the extreme pitch of strain on the Korean peninsula under the pretext of the nuclear issue. The U.S. should no more obstruct the reunification of the Korean peninsula, squarely facing up to the trend of the times in which the fervor for reconciliation and cooperation, unity and reunification is rising to the highest tide between the north and the south of Korea, it said.
    The south Korean authorities should clearly know that the prospect of the development of the inter-Korean relations and independent development of the nation depends on their getting rid of cooperation with outside forces and realizing national cooperation in the spirit of "By the Korean nation itself", the statement said.
    It extended firm support and solidarity to the Korean people in their struggle to open up the door of reunification by the efforts of the Korean nation itself according to the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration without any interference of outside forces.

Special Writings Carried in Internet

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The Society for Cooperation among Koreans in Germany issued special writings in the Internet homepage on June 28 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the demise of President Kim Il Sung. Seen in the homepage are a photograph of the President with a sunny smile on his face and a photograph of him standing against the background of the old home in Mangyongdae.
    Also included in the writings are articles titled "President Kim Il Sung Lays the Foundation of Songun Politics", "President Kim Il Sung Lays the Eternal Foundation of Socialist Korea", "The Immortal Great Man" and "Anecdotes of the Great Man".

Months of Maritime Sports Open

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The months of maritime sports (July and August) opened in different parts of the DPRK. School youth and children in Pyongyang had an opening ceremony of the months at the indoor swimming pool of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace on July 4. Present at the ceremony were Kim Jin Ha, secretary of the Pyongyang City Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned and school youth and children in the city.
    Kim Song Chol, first secretary of the Pyongyang City Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, made an opening speech to be followed by speeches.
    Speakers recalled that thanks to the loving care shown by leader Kim Jong Il for the school youth and children to successfully bring up them as strong pillars of the country well prepared mentally, morally and physically the months of maritime sports were instituted and swimming beaches built in scenic spots on the east and west coasts and modern wading pools and natatoriums are found in different parts of the country.
    They called on all the school youth and children to conduct diverse sports activities by making the best use of the maritime sports facilities built under the care of the Workers' Party of Korea and be good at study and in their organizational life and thus fully prepare themselves as reliable successors to the revolutionary cause of Juche intensely loyal to Kim Jong Il.
    The ceremony was followed by an exhibition swimming contest.
    Similar ceremonies took place in every province, city and county.

Greetings to President of Cape Verde

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on July 1 sent a message of greetings to Pedro Pires, president of Cape Verde, on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of its independence and the proclamation of the republic. The message wished the president greater success in his responsible work for the prosperity of the country and expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger.

Greetings to Venezuelan President

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on July 3 sent a message of greetings to Hugo Chavez Frias, president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, on the occasion of its independence day. Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms in the future, the message wished the president greater success in his work for the stability and prosperity of the country.

Paek Nam Sun Meets Russian Foreign Minister

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov who paid a courtesy call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on July 4. Present there were Kung Sok Ung, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, officials concerned, the party of the Russian foreign minister, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Gennadievich Karlov and staff members of the embassy.
    They had a friendly conversation.

Reception Given in Honor of Russian Foreign Minister

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government hosted a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on July 4 in honor of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov on a visit to the DPRK. Present there on invitation were the Russian foreign minister and his party, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Gennadievich Karlov and staff members of the embassy.
    If both the DPRK and Russia value the trust each other and make joint efforts in the spirit of joint declarations and new inter-state treaty, the friendship and cooperation between the two countries will grow in strength, said DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun in his speech. It will make a tangible contribution to peace and stability in Northeast Asia and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, he added.
    He sincerely wished the leadership and people of Russia greater achievements in building a powerful Russia
    The Russian foreign minister in his speech said the contacts and talks held in Pyongyang attested to the solidity of the traditional friendly relations between the two countries, adding: The treaty of friendship, good-neighborhood and cooperation between Russia and the DPRK adopted in 2000 has been implemented in a multifaceted manner according to the agreements reached at the highest level in recent years. Underscoring the particular importance of joint efforts and cooperation, he said this was proved by the result of the recent 3rd six-party talks.
    He stated Russia hailed the will of the Korean nation to achieve reconciliation and their efforts to create an atmosphere favorable for the settlement of the nuclear issue.

Greetings to Belorussian President

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Aleksandr Lukashenko, president of the Republic of Belarus, on July 1 on the occasion of the national day and the 60th anniversary of the liberation of his country from the fascist Germany. Extending warm congratulations to the president and people of Belarus on this occasion, the message wished him greater success in his responsible work for the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people.
    The message expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would more favorably expand and develop in conformity with the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

Greetings to President of Malawi

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Bingu Wa Mutarika, president of the Republic of Malawi, on July 2 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the independence of his country. The massage extended warm congratulations to the president, the government and people of Malawi on this occasion.
    Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the future, the message wished him great success in his work for the progress and prosperity of the country.

Greetings to President of Comoros

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Azali Assumani, president of the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros, on July 2 on the occasion of the day of its independence. The message sent warm greetings to the president, government and people on the day.
    Expressing belief that the ties of friendship between the two countries will further develop, the message wished the president greater success in his work for national unity and the prosperity of the country.

Eternal Memory of President Kim Il Sung

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- July 8 is the tenth anniversary of the death of President Kim Il Sung. The last decade since his passing away is a historical period of perpetuating his memory.
    In this period the Kumsusan Memorial Palace made its appearance as the sacred temple of Juche where Kim Il Sung lies in state.
    The palace reflects the Korean people's faith and will to always revere him.
    The palace is characterized by a hall where he lies in state, a hall where his statue is standing, rooms where the car he used in his last years and orders he received from other countries are on display, a nearly 1,000-meter-long corridor, a square covering nearly 100,000 square meters, a granite fence extending hundreds of meters, a stone gate, an arboretum covering a hundred hectares, etc.
    The Juche year was instituted with 1912, Kim Il Sung's birth year, as the first year, and April 15, his birth date, was named the Day of the Sun. The constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was amended to hold him in high esteem as the eternal president of the DPRK and his ideas and exploits have been defended and his behests implemented successfully, ensuring the continuity of his history.
    Highlighted in streets, institutions and enterprises throughout the country are pictures of Kim Il Sung with a broad smile on his face and slogans reading "The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung will always be with us".
    Also seen in every corner of the country are such slogans reflecting the Korean people's unshakable faith as "Long live the revolutionary ideas of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung!" "Let us hold the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung in high esteem for ages!" "Let us usher in an era of the country's prosperity, true to the great Comrade Kim Il Sung's ideas and cause!"
    A great progress has been made in the cause of national reunification, a life-long desire of Kim Il Sung. A historic inter-Korean summit meeting took place in Pyongyang in 2000 and the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration was made public and all the Koreans are pooling efforts for the country's reunification under the motto of "By our nation itself".
    The Chongnyu Bridge, Kumnung Tunnel No. 2, the Monument to Party Founding, Youth Hero Motorway, Anbyon Youth Power Station, Kaechon-Lake Thaesong Waterway, Kwangmyongsong Saltern and many other monumental edifices have been built. And a nationwide land rezoning has been carried on successfully, more than 1,600 modern villages constructed in rural communities and minor power plants with the capacity of hundreds of thousands of kilowatts built.
    The song "Our Leader Will Always Be with Us", the epic "Comrade Kim Il Sung, Our Eternal Leader", the full-length novel "Immortality" and many other masterpieces created in this period portray the Korean people's invariable will to carry forward the cause of Juche , holding high the red flag of the revolution associated with the life of the President.

Kumsusan Memorial Palace

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- Ten years have passed since the Korean people were determined to accomplish President Kim Il Sung's cause without fail under the slogan "The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung will always be with us." After the demise of Kim Il Sung, the Korean people had been in deep sorrow.
    Under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, with a strong sense of morality and obligation, however, they built the Kumsusan Assembly Hall where the President had worked as the memorial palace where he lies in state.
    From that time the Kumsusan Memorial Palace has been visited by an endless stream of Korean people eagerly missing him and by south and overseas Koreans and progressive people from many countries.
    Over the last nine years since the opening of the palace, the visitors to the palace total some 7,535,760.
    Among them are some 41,060 south and overseas Koreans and 43,120 foreigners including nearly 120 state, government and party leaders.
    Over 40,410 visitors have made entries in the 980-odd visitor's books.
    The entries made in different languages by people with different political view, religious belief and customs reflect their ardent reverence for and trust in the President and their oath to remain true to his cause. They also express their deep thanks and eulogy to leader Kim Jong Il for the memorial palace.

"Collection of Legends about Kumsusan Memorial Palace" (Vol. 3)@Published

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The Literature and Art Publishing House of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has published the book "Collection of Legends about Kumsusan Memorial Palace" (Vol.3) on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the demise of President Kim Il Sung. Printed on the first page of the book is a picture of the President with a broad smile on his face. It gives 25 legends associated with the Kumsusan Memorial Palace where he lies in state, illustrated by his photographs and other pictures.
    Among the legends are "Heaven for All People," "Slippers of the President," "Swans Flying to the Sacred Temple of the Sun" which are based on real stories.
    The legend "Woman He Met Again after 60 Years" tells that he received the aged woman related with the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle at the Kumsusan Assembly Hall and that he showed deep care for her to straighten her bent body. The legend "Elixir of Life" is based on the story that he sent a competent medical team to cure Bruno Kreisky, a prominent public figure of Austria, at death's door.
    Some legends including "The Sacred Ground Chosen by Heaven" and "Stones of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace" deal with mysterious stories regarding the construction of the memorial palace. Among them are a story that as soon as leader Kim Jong Il chose the site of the palace, the sun gave out radiant rays through the clouded sky and a story that when the construction of the palace started, high-quality stone materials which had never been seen in Korea were discovered in different parts of the country.

"Accounts of Remembering President Kim Il Sung" Vol. 1 Off@Press

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The Workers' Party of Korea Publishing House brought out the book "Accounts of Remembering President Kim Il Sung" Vol. 1. Printed in the first part of the book is a photograph of the smiling President, historical photographs showing the President receiving officials of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) and Korean residents in Japan on visits to the socialist homeland and his propositions about the work of Chongryon.
    The book carries 16 reminiscences including "Chongryon, patriotic legacy of President Kim Il Sung, was thus formed," "Fatherly love made national education flourish" and "Picturing to ourselves the President's image at university classroom."
    They recount stories about the fact that the President formed Chongryon, clearly indicated the way for it to follow in each period and at every stage, guaranteed the Koreans in Japan democratic national rights and led them to the struggle for national reunification and patriotism.
    Among them are stories about what profound care the President showed for the Korean businessmen in Japan so that they might enjoy a worthwhile life and happiness on the road of patriotism, what loving care he bestowed upon the media and the Kumgangsan Opera Troupe of Chongryon and stories reflecting the firm resolution of the officials of Chongryon and compatriots in Japan to hold the President in high esteem for all ages and remain loyal to Kim Jong Il's leadership to fulfill the last instruction of the President.
    Under the titles of "Stories told by President Kim Il Sung" and "Pride of Chongryon" the book carries 16 anecdotes dealing with just part of touching stories told by the President and information about the progress made by Chongryon as the Juche-oriented overseas compatriots organization of the DPRK.
    "Important chronological history of President Kim Il Sung's guidance to Chongryon" is edited in the last part of the book as an appendix.

Russian Foreign Minister Interviewed

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov had an interview with reporters at the airport Monday before his departure. Present there were mediapersons in Pyongyang and Russian reporters.
    The Russian foreign minister said that discussed at the talks and conversations held during his visit to the DPRK were issues of the relations between Moscow and Pyongyang and mutual cooperation. Both sides paid particular attention to the issue of settling the nuclear issue of the Korean peninsula peacefully and politically, he noted.
    He said that he was received by leader Kim Jong Il.
    Kim Jong Il expressed thanks to the Russian leadership for a personal letter sent by President Putin carrying his determination and will to further consolidate and develop the relations between the two countries on the basis of the treaty of friendship and cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, he stressed.
    He noted that during his visit to Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies he was moved to know that pupils of the School of Foreign Languages of the university proved successful at the 11th International Pupil Russian Olympic Contest.
    He said both sides at the talks affirmed their will to further develop the bilateral relations on the basis of the treaty of friendship, good neighborhood and cooperation between Russia and the DPRK and the agreement reached between the leaders of the two countries.
    Then he answered the questions put by mediapersons.

Russian Foreign Minister Returns Home

     Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov left here for home Monday after visiting the DPRK on the invitation of his DPRK counterpart Paek Nam Sun. The Russian foreign minister and his party were seen off at the airport by Kung Sok Ung, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, officials concerned, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Gennadievich Karlov and staff members of the embassy.
    Prior to his departure, the Russian foreign minister visited Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies on Monday.
    Being briefed on the successes achieved by the university in its educational work with modern educational equipment and facilities, he looked round several lecture rooms and enjoyed an art performance given by students.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Yong Nam envia mensaje al presidente Chavez

     Pyongyang, 5 de julio (ATCC) -- El presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Kim Yong Nam, envio el dia 3 un mensaje de felicitacion a Hugo Chavez Frias, presidente de la Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela con motivo del Dia de la Independencia de este pais. El remitente expresa la conviccion de que las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion entre los dos paises continuaran desarrollandose favorablemente en lo adelante y desea al destinatario mayores exitos en su labor para la estabilidad y la prosperidad del pais.

Miembros de ex-"Sekigun" piden a gobierno de RPDC ayuda -Informacion de ATCC-

     Pyongyang, 5 de julio (ATCC) -- La Agencia Telegrafica Central de Corea hizo publica el dia 5 la siguiente informacion: Los miembros del ex-"Sekigun", al cabo de desplegar el movimiento antibelico por la paz en Japon llegaron en abril de 1970 a bordo del avion de pasajeros "Yodo" de la Compania aeronautica de Japon a nuestro pais para evitar la represion politica de las autoridades japonesas y ahora llevan aqui la vida de exilio politico.
    Ellos enviaron al gobierno de la RPDC una carta pidiendole ayuda para su regreso a Japon.
    En la misiva los remitentes patentizan su posicion de regresar a Japon senalando que no sienten la necesidad de quedar por mas tiempo en la RPDC porque la mayoria de sus familiares ya repatriaron a Japon y pidieron oficialmente al gobierno de la RPDC una cooperacion para que tengan contacto directo con los interesados del gobierno japones para discutir el problema de su repatriacion.
    No nos oponemos a tal voluntad de regresar a su patria.
    El problema del avion "Yodo" es un asunto interno de los japoneses que ha de ser consultado y solucionado directamente entre el gobierno japones y dichos miembros.
    Si la parte japonesa contacta directamente con ellos y se los lleva a su patria a traves del tramite de consulta practica necesaria, el problema del avion "Yodo" vera su solucion completa.

Casa del Sol - Palacio Memorial Kumsusan

     Pyongyang, 5 de julio (ATCC) -- Han transcurrido 10 anos desde cuando el pueblo coreano tomo la decision de cumplir hasta el fin con la causa del Presidente Kim Il Sung manteniendo en alto la consigna de conviccion "El gran Lider, camarada Kim Il Sung estara para siembre con nosotros". El pueblo coreano sufrio gran tristeza durante el duelo nacional por el fallecimiento del Presidente. Pero, bajo la orientacion del Dirigente Kim Jong Il, personificacion de la noble obligacion moral, acondiciono en el nivel supremo el Palacio de las Convenciones Kumsusan donde trabajaba el Presidente como Palacio Memorial y coloco el cuerpo de este, Sol de la nacion coreana y la humanidad.
    Desde entonces, al Palacio Memorial Kumsusan - casa del Sol concurren sin cesar los habitantes norcoreanos quienes le anoran como gran padre nacional, los coreanos del Sur y en ultramar y los pueblos progresistas de los cinco continentes del mundo, en busca de la luz de la independencia y la felicidad.
    Aumenta de dia en dia el numero de los visitantes. Durante estos 9 anos que datan de su inauguracion lo visitaron mas de 7 millones 535 mil 760 personas.
    Entre los visitantes figuran mas de 41 mil 60 coreanos del Sur y en ultramar, y mas de 43 mil 120 extranjeros incluyendo cerca de 120 jefes de Estado, de Gobierno y de partidos politicos para no hablar de los habitantes del Norte.
    Lo visitan en promedio anual mas de 837 mil 300 personas sin distincion de paises, naciones, idiomas, costumbres, criterios politicos, creencias, clases y capas.
    Los visitantes rinden tributo al Presidente ante su sublime imagen, toman decisiones y dejan palabras en el libro de visitas.
    En mas de 980 tomos de tal libro escribieron sus impresiones mas de 40 mil 410 personas.
    En sus impresiones los visitantes expresan la infinita veneracion y confianza en el Presidente, la firme decision de apoyar hasta el fin su proposito, el caluroso agradecimiento y elogio al Dirigente Kim Jong Il quien preparo la casa del Sol a la que admira todo el mundo
    El Palacio Memorial Kumsusan en que se conserva el cuerpo del Presidente, gran revolucionario, gran hombre y Sol de la humanidad, es la eterna casa del Sol y el supremo lugar sagrado del planeta a que concurren todos los hombres con gran piedad.