Ulji Focus Lens-04 Flailed

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland Monday issued information bulletin No. 881 as regards the Ulji Focus Lens-04 joint military exercise to be staged by the U.S. imperialists and the south Korean war hawks. The secretariat in the information bulletin bitterly denounced the projected saber-rattling in the name of the whole nation as it is a vicious challenge to the patient efforts of the peace-loving DPRK and an unpardonable criminal act of going against the aspiration and desire of all the Korean people and the world people for peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula.
    It noted:
    The exercise is, to all intents and purposes, a very dangerous nuclear war drill against the DPRK to carry out the "operation plan 5027-04" aimed at mobilizing task forces with precision guided weapons and ultra-modern equipment and concluding a war against the DPRK through blitz warfare.
    The U.S. imperialists and the south Korean military seek to verify through a computer mock exercise simulating a real war the effectiveness and feasibility of the "operation plan 5027-04" which has been revised and supplemented from a new angle to step up the preparations for a war against the DPRK in real earnest behind the scene of "reduction" of the U.S. forces in south Korea, "transfer of their military bases" and their "relocation".
    The projected war maneuver goes to clearly prove that the U.S. and the south Korean war hawks are persistently pursuing the policy of war against the DPRK.
    The U.S. and the south Korean authorities are well advised to ponder over the catastrophic consequences to be entailed by their war racket against the DPRK and stop at once their reckless military pressure and war moves against it.

Spokesman for NDFSK Issues Statement on 59th Anniv. of Korea's Liberation

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the National Democratic Front of south Korea (NDFSK) made public a statement on Aug. 15 on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the liberation of Korea, according to Kuguk Jonson Internet Site. The statement said that the day of Korea's liberation which brought ecstasy and joy to the land of 3,000-ri freed the Korean nation from the colonial yoke as a stateless nation and threw upon it the rays of resurrection and marked a historical turning-point in carving out its own destiny independently and creatively.
    But this joy at the liberation was dampened by the U.S. imperialists who replaced the Japanese imperialists, and there began the tragedy of national division, the statement said, and went on: The ambition of the U.S. to turn the whole Korean peninsula into its permanent colony, dead-set against Korea's reunification, the greatest long-cherished desire of the Korean nation, has reached its height after the emergence of the Bush administration.
    People from all walks of life should more bravely turn out in the struggle to drive out the Yankees under the banner of the struggle for independence against the U.S., bearing deep in mind the viewpoint that its fighting target remains unchanged as long as the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces stay in this land, no matter how the situation and circumstances may change.
    They should decisively smash the U.S. moves for a nuclear war against the north by the concerted efforts of the nation under the banner of our nation-first spirit.
    The south Korean authorities disallowed the Pyongyang visit by pro-reunification patriotic organizations this time. They should, therefore, be fully accountable before the entire nation for having scuttled the joint events for reunification this year.
    Recalling that all the people are working hard to make the year 2005, the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea, a year of reunification by driving the U.S. forces out of south Korea, the statement declared that the NDFSK would join them in their brave sacred struggle for independence against the U.S. and implementation of the June 15 joint declaration and thus greet August 15 as a day of reunification without fail.

U.S. Intention to Stifle DPRK Flailed

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The United States is much publicizing a military solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula while raising a hue and cry over the "nuclear threat" from the DPRK. This self-exposes its sinister purpose behind its lip-service to the "peaceful solution" to the nuclear issue. Minju Joson Tuesday says this in a signed commentary. The U.S. stands against the peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue and renders the situation complicated because it has no political willingness to settle the issue, the commentary says, and goes on:
    The U.S. true intention is not to seek a final settlement of the nuclear issue but to stifle the DPRK.
    Recently it talked about a military solution to the nuclear issue while dramatizing the "nuclear threat" from the DPRK. Its aim was to psychologically pressurize the DPRK and use the nuclear issue for serving its sinister political purpose.
    It seeks to disarm the DPRK while having dialogue on one hand and posing a military threat to it on the other.
    However, it is gravely mistaken to think this would work on the DPRK.
    The DPRK is fully prepared to foil any enemy's provocations.
    The U.S. had better stop its rash acts, properly judging the fixed faith and will of the army and people of the DPRK to protect the supreme interests of the country and the nation at the cost of their lives.

Art Performances Given in Indonesia

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Art Troupe of the DPRK performed in Djakarta. After appreciating the performance, public figures of Indonesia were unsparing in their praises, describing it as a fascinating and splendid performance and a children's performance at the world highest level.
    The director for the Foreign Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said the performance of the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Art Troupe touched the right chord in the hearts of the audience. The Korean children through their presentation showed well not only their high artistic skill but the national character of the Korean people, he noted.
    Leader Kim Jong Il has spared nothing for the children, calling them "king" of the country, he said, stressing that no leader in the world shows such profound loving care for the children as Kim Jong Il does. The mayor of Djakarta said the performance of the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Art Troupe is, indeed, at the world's highest level to the surprise of even experts, extending thanks to the party and government of the DPRK for sending such wonderful art troupe.
    The vice-minister of Culture and Tourism said the performance offered him an opportunity to have fresh understanding of the DPRK. The bright and happy appearance of Korean children and their distinguished talent deeply impressed the whole audience, he added.
    An Indonesian teacher who is an expert on juvenile music had this to say: I have had chances to watch many art performances given by foreign children but not one to see such marvelous performance as that staged by the Korean children. All the achievements made the DPRK in the development of culture and arts are the results of the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.

Talk about "Principal Enemy" Blasted

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) - An oft-repeated talk about the anachronistic "conception of the principal enemy" is nothing but an act against the nation and reunification which can be committed only by the anti-reunification conservative elements, who do not want the reconciliation and cooperation among the Koreans and are utterly indifferent to the reunification of the country. Rodong Sinmun Tuesday says this in a signed article. The article goes on:
    The nation lives in the era of independent national reunification in which all Koreans strive to promote the reconciliation and cooperation between the north and the south and achieve independent reunification by their concerted efforts under the banner of the historic June 15 joint declaration. However, the fellow countrymen in the north are listed as "the principal enemy" and regarded with hostility in south Korea. It is quite unreasonable and abnormal from the national viewpoint and in the light of the trend of the times.
    It is, in fact, something deplorable and national disgrace to regard with hostility the fellow countrymen in the north, the dialogue partner for reunification, as "the principal enemy" and cooperate with outside forces, which has imposed the tragedy of division and all sorts of misfortune upon the Korean nation.
    The anti-reunification forces' opposition to the call for dropping the conception of "the principal enemy" only discloses their criminal attempt to stem the trend of the era of "By our nation itself", the era of the June 15 reunification, at any cost, maintain their old system of confrontation and thus realize their sinister political ambition.
    The call for an end to the conception of the "principal enemy" is in full line with the trend of the times towards reconciliation and cooperation as it reflects the spirit of national independence and cooperation.
    It is a touchstone discerning between patriotism and treachery, a stand for reunification and anti-reunification stance to work for national cooperation or oppose it and seek "cooperation" with outside forces.
    The south Korean authorities should clarify their stand on the conception of "the principal enemy" before the whole nation.
    It is hypocrisy and a deceptive and treacherous act going against the times and the nation to talk a lot about "reconciliation" and "cooperation," while regarding the north as "the principal enemy" and remaining hostile to it.
    The south Korean authorities should immediately drop the above-said conception and remove all sorts of institutional mechanism blocking the reconciliation and unity among Koreans.

Reception Hosted by Russian Consul-General in Chongjin

     Chongjin, August 16 (KCNA) -- Russian Consul-General in Chongjin Arkady Lavrov hosted a reception Monday on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. Present on invitation were Kim Song Gwon, vice-chairman of the North Hamgyong Provincial People's Committee, and officials concerned. And officials of the Russian consulate general were on hand.
    Speeches were made at the reception.

S. Korean Military Authorities' Scheme to Erect "Monument to War" under Fire

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The south Korean military authorities are these days reportedly staging the farce of erecting a "monument to war" at Wolmi Islet, Inchon, allegedly to "commemorate" the U.S. imperialists' Inchon landing operation. Minju Joson Tuesday in a signed commentary brands this as an intolerable insult to the heroic soldiers of the Korean People's Army who fought at the islet and the people of the DPRK and one more unpardonable anti-national criminal act.
    The commentary says:
    The south Korean military seeks through the erection of the monument to eulogize the U.S. imperialists' records of aggression on Korea and incite the consciousness of confrontation with the north among the south Korean people and thus throw a wet blanket over the daily-growing fervor of the nation for reunification.
    Now the south Korean military authorities are hell bent on arms buildup and war exercises against the north after mapping up the "operation plan 5027-04," a new plan for a preemptive attack on the north, in collision with the U.S. Their scheme to erect the monument is a folly of those who are only pursuing confrontation and war. It is an anti-national, anti-reunification act going against the spirit of the June 15 joint declaration.
    They would be well advised to face up to the trend of the times and give up the outdated idea of confrontation and stop acts obstructive to national harmony and independent reunification.

Anti-Reunification Act Assailed

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The south Korean authorities recently made the vice-minister of Unification officially announce that it was the stand of the "government" not to allow the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification and the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification and the (south) Korean Federation of University Student Councils to participate in the August 15 functions for reunification scheduled in the north, thus barring them from going to the north. Minju Joson Tuesday in a signed commentary denounces this as an anti-national act throwing a wet blanket on the daily growing fervor of the nation for reunification and putting breaks on the movement for independence and reunification and a criminal act against reunification denying the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, which drove to abortion the August 15 functions anxiously awaited by all the fellow countrymen.
    The news analyst further says:
    The south Korean authorities are committing indelible crimes against the nation as evidenced by the facts that they disallowed under an absurd pretext a non-governmental delegation's visit to Pyongyang to honor the memory of President Kim Il Sung and scuttled the August 15 functions of organizations for the reunification movement.
    We can not but ask if the south Korean authorities have the will to honestly implement the joint declaration and reconcile and open the way for reunification with us.
    The south Korean authorities should break with what is old and corrupt and seek what is new and fresh in the June 15 era. However, they are still persisting in their outdate stand and attitude.
    The anti-reunification forces of south Korea should be well aware what results are in store for those averting their eyes from the trend of the times and going against the desire and will of the people.

Working People Enjoy Summer Holidays in DPRK

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- Workers and office employees of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are enjoying summer holidays at rest homes together with their families. Nearly twenty reconstructed rest homes in Sokam, Lake Sohung, Onpho, Kuam and other scenic spots have received holiday-makers.
    The holiday-makers at the Onpho Rest Home in Kyongsong County, North Hamgyong Province, and the Majon Rest Home in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, are playing various kinds of sports games and amusements and swimming and boating in the sea.
    The Kuam Rest Home in Hwayang-ri, Chongdan County, South Hwanghae Province, has also opened the door for many holiday-makers from across the country.
    Workers of the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex and their families are spending their holidays at the Sohungho Rest Home with angling and boating in Lake Sohung.
    The Recreation Management Department of the Ministry of Labor has provided the holiday-makers with all material and cultural conditions needed for their recreation in the April-October holiday period for workers and office employees.

Book "Arms of Mt. Paektu" Off Press

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The Literature and Art Publishing House of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has published the book "Arms of Mt. Paektu". The book consists of three parts--"Snowstorm of Mt. Paektu," "Long Journey for Field Guidance across Chol Pass" and "Eternal Bodyguard". It contains poems and nobles about Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Suk, brilliant commanders who pioneered, defended and developed the Korean revolution through centuries with arms in Mt. Paektu, the ancestral mountain of Korea.
    The first part contains 22 works including poems "Nostalgia Reverberating over Thick Forest" and "Road to the Front at Moonless Night," a long poem "The White Poplar Sways" and a short story "Blessing of the Father." They eulogize the undying feats and noble traits of President Kim Il Sung, a legendary hero of the nation, an invincible and iron-willed commander, and a genius of creation and construction.
    Seen in the second part are 25 works on Kim Jong Il's distinguished courage, grit, wisdom and noble virtue as a brilliant commander and a great man. Among them are poems "Oh, Songun-based Arms," "He Is a Peerlessly Great Man," a lay "Blessing" and a short story "Thunder in Spring".
    Carried in the third part are 11 works including poems "Snow-covered Osan Hill," "An Eternal Bodyguard," a lyric "Sunrays" and a short story "Unforgettable Spring". They praise Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese war hero and incarnation of the spirit of defending the leader at the cost of life, who gave birth to and brought up Kim Jong Il as the bright future of Korea.

KCNA Refutes Report on Drug Smuggling

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The U.S. Congressional Research Service recently released a report what it called "Drug smuggling and north Korea". In the report the Bush administration groundlessly pulled up the DPRK, saying that it has become a state policy to cultivate opium in the DPRK, it conspires with criminal organizations in countries around it for drug smuggling and that it has doubled the drug production and its smuggling.
    This is a base political farce orchestrated by the U.S. to tarnish the image of the DPRK on the international arena at any cost and internationalize and justify its moves to apply sanctions and blockade against the DPRK.
    The anti-DPRK smear campaign escalated by the U.S. in the wake of the passage of the "bill on human rights in north Korea" through the House of Representatives clearly proves that the Bush group is keen to isolate and stifle the DPRK by labeling it a "rogue state" and a target of international concern, far from wishing to co-exist with it.
    In fact, it is the U.S. in which drug production and smuggling are closely linked not only to businessdom but to politicaldom.
    Even at the very moment the report was released, many illegal drug markets were in their normal operation in the U.S. and a number of people were trespassing borders for smuggling and secret sale of drugs.
    The U.S., ill-famed for the world's biggest drug dealing and drug smuggling, kept mum about those illegal acts in its own land but had temerity to slander the DPRK which has nothing to do with the drug smuggling. It is the height of impudence.
    What should not be overlooked is that it defiled even the political system in the DPRK, while spreading a rumor about its drug smuggling.
    Explicitly speaking, a basic principle governing the activities of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government is to regard man as the most precious being in the world and devote everything to the work to train everyone as a highly civilized human being of sound body and mind.
    It is a well known fact that the drug abuse and their secret sale are strictly banned by law in the DPRK as they reduce people to mental cripples and the production, use and import of any substance for health care and scientific researches are subject to strict state control and the relevant law in the DPRK.
    In zealously spreading all sorts of false stories about the DPRK, while increasing pressure upon it over its nuclear issue the U.S. seeks to force it to scrap its nuclear program first and lay down its arms. This is, however, nothing but a delusion.
    Now that the Bush administration gets more undisguised in its hostile policy toward the DPRK while escalating on a phased basis its political provocation against the DPRK, it can not but be strange for the latter to sit at the negotiating table with the U.S. to discuss the nuclear issue, a product of the deep-rooted bilateral mistrust.
    The U.S. should make a bold switchover in its hostile policy toward the DPRK, clearly understanding that with nothing can it mar the international image of the DPRK.

Australian Foreign Minister Arrives

     Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- Alexander Downer, foreign minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, arrived here on August 17. The foreign minister and his party were greeted at the airport by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il and officials concerned.

Message of Sympathy to Fidel Castro Ruz

     Pyongyang, August 17 (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, together with Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Monday sent a message of sympathy to Fidel Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, president of the Council of State and president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba. Upon hearing the sad news that Havana and various other parts of Cuba were hit by unprecedentedly strong hurricane on Aug. 13 that caused great human and material losses, they in the name of the WPK and the government and people of the DPRK sent deep sympathy and consolation to Fidel Castro Ruz and, through him, to the Communist Party of Cuba and its government and people and the population in the afflicted areas.
    The message expressed the belief that the party and government of Cuba would eradicate the aftermath of the natural disaster and bring the living of the people in the afflicted areas to normal at an early date.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il inspecciona granja No. 1116 de la Unidad No. 534 del EPC

     Pyongyang, 17 de agosto (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, inspecciono la granja No.1116 de la Unidad No. 534 del EPC. El Dirigente recorrio varias horas las parcelas de diversos cultivos para enterarse detalladamente del estado agricola del ano en curso.
    Al mirar los cultivos y las instalaciones de regadio, se mostro muy satisfecho de que los granjeros prepararon una buena cosecha al laborar la tierra de acuerdo con las razones cientificas y tecnicas.
    Tras recorrer la granja, el Dirigente presento en el mismo lugar tareas programaticas que sirven de guia para el incremento trascendental de la produccion agricola.
    Senalo que se debe prestar atencion primordial a la labor de obtener mejores variedades de alto rendimiento convenientes al clima y suelo del pais, perfeccionar el sistema de cultivo al estilo coreano y, al mismo tiempo, introducir los metodos avanzados de labranza.
    Subrayo que es preciso hacer fertil de toda la tierra cultivable de la patria socialista a traves de los intensos esfuerzos por su mejoramiento y que para este fin, se debe librar ampliamente la labor de aplicar mayor cantidad de abonos organicos de Buena calidad.
    Puesto que el agua es uno de los elementos imprescindibles para el crecimiento de las plantas, es importante asegurar la irrigacion cientifica conforme a las peculiaridades de los periodos de crecimiento de los cultivos, subrayo.
    Es preciso aplicar a tiempo insecticidas para proteger las plantas agricolas de los danos causados por las enfermedades e insectos nocivos, recalco.
    El Comandante Supremo enseno encarecidamente que todos los funcionarios directivos del sector agricola deben hacer con esmero la labor organizativa e impulsar tenazmente el trabajo con el estilo de lucha revolucionario como los jefes del ejercito popular para hacer realidad en nuestra generacion el deseo de toda vida del Presidente de que nuestro pueblo se alimente del arroz cocido y sopa de carne.
    Le acompanaron Yon Hyong Muk, vicepresidente del CDN de la RPDC, los generales de ejercito del EPC: Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae y Pak Jae Gyong, y los primeros subjefes de departamento del CC del PTC: Ri Yong Chol, Ri Je Gang y Ri Jae Il.

CRPP denuncia ejercicios militares conjuntos EE.UU. - Sur de Corea

     Pyongyang, 17 de agosto (ATCC) -- El secretariado del Comite por la Reunificacion Pacifica de la Patria (CRPP) dio a la publicidad el dia 16 la informacion No. 881 que va como sigue: Los ejercicios militares conjuntos "Ulji Focus Lens-04" de los imperialistas norteamericanos y los belicistas surcoreanos devienen un reto persistente a los pacientes esfuerzos de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea por defender la paz y un acto criminal nunca perdonable que contraviene al deseo y la aspiracion de toda la nacion coreana y los pueblos del mundo a la paz y la reunificacion de la Peninsula Coreana, por lo cual, lo denunciamos categoricamente en nombre de todos los components de la nacion coreana.
    Es un simulacro de guerra nuclear estrictamente contra la RPDC segun el "plan operacional 5027-04" que preve cumplir la "guerra relampagueante" de agresion al Norte de Corea con la movilizacion de las fuerzas armadas moviles de golpe dotadas de los armamentos teledirigidos de precision y de pertrechos sofisticados.
    Los imperialistas norteamericanos y el circulo militar surcoreano intentan probar a traves del simulacro computarizado la eficiencia y la posibilidad real del "plan operacional 5027-04", enmendado y completado detras de la farsa de la "reduccion", el "traslado de bases" y la "reubicacion" de tropas norteamericanas en el Sur de Corea y en otras regiones para acelerar en la etapa crucial los preparativos de la guerra de agresion al Norte de Corea.
    Estos ejercicios militares demuestran una vez mas claramente que ellos persiguen invariablemente la politica belica contra la RPDC.
    EE.UU. y las autoridades surcoreanas deben reflexionar de las catastroficas consecuencias que emanen de sus alborotos a favor de la guerra contra el Norte de Corea y renunciar ahora mismo a su frenetica presion militar y maniobras de provocacion de guerra contra la RPDC.

Minju Joson revela intencion de EE.UU. de aplastar a RPDC

     Pyongyang, 17 de agosto (ATCC) -- En estos dias, EE.UU. vocifera ruidosamente de la "amenaza nuclear" de Corea y difunde la opinion a favor de la solucion del problema nuclear por via militar, lo cual que revela la hipocresia de esta superpotencia que aparentaba desear la "solucion pacifica" del problema nuclear de la Peninsula Coreana. Asi senala el periodico Minju Joson en un comentario individual del dia 17 y continua:
    EE.UU. se opone a la solucion pacifica del problema nuclear y complica la situacion de este porque de veras no tiene la voluntad politica de encontrar la solucion para el particular.
    Esta superpotencia no desea la solucion definitiva del problema nuclear sino se propone aplastar a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea. Esta vez, EE.UU., al exagerar al extremo la "amenaza nuclear" de la RPDC se ha referido al modo de solucion del problema nuclear por via militar para abordar este asunto conforme a su malsana intencion politica por medio de ejercer presion psicologica sobre la RPDC.
    El Tio Sam trata de desarmar a la RPDC con la tactica de doble rasero; entablar dialogo y ejercer la amenaza militar.
    Es una boberia si cree en la eficiencia de tal modo para la RPDC.
    Estamos preparados a perfeccion para hacer frente a todas las maniobras de provocacion de los enemigos.
    EE.UU. debe distinguir la ferrea conviccion y voluntad de nuestro ejercito y pueblo de defender a costa de vida los intereses supremos del pais y nacion y actuar con prudencia.