Joint New Year Editorial

     Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- The papers in Pyongyang on January 1 carried a joint editorial "Let the Whole Party and Army and All the People Unite as One in Mind and More Strikingly Demonstrate the Might of Songun!" released by Rodong Sinmun, Josoninmingun and Chongnyonjonwi on the occasion of the New Year Juche 94 (2005). The editorial recalls that last year Juche 93 (2004) was a year of worthwhile struggle in which a revolutionary offensive was conducted on the three fronts -- politics and ideology, anti-imperialism and military affairs and economy and science -- to make a breakthrough toward fresh success in the efforts to build a great prosperous powerful nation.
    Last year the army and people of the DPRK strikingly demonstrated their faith and will to unswervingly follow the road of the Juche-oriented revolution started by President Kim Il Sung, united close around the headquarters of the revolution, the editorial says, and goes on:
    The year has been recorded as a historic year in which our people reviewed with pride the days when they had staunchly struggled to defend the red flag under the guidance of the headquarters of the revolution, remembering with deep emotion the immortal revolutionary life of President Kim Il Sung, the eternal sun of Juche, and exploits performed by him.
    Shining successes were made in socialist economic construction and cultural construction last year.
    The army and people of the DPRK powerfully demonstrated the spirit of socialist Korea advancing with the might of Songun by resolutely foiling the U.S. imperialists' vicious moves to stifle the DPRK.
    These shining victories and successes made by our army and people last year are a shining fruition of leader Kim Jong Il's unquestioned leadership prestige and invincible political caliber.
    Juche 94 (2005) is a worthwhile year which will witness a great turn in the Korean revolution and in the efforts to accomplish the cause of building a great prosperous powerful nation.
    This year we will mark the 60th anniversaries of the Workers' Party of Korea and national liberation in grand style with great pride and dignity as victors.
    60 years ago President Kim Il Sung liberated the country and founded the WPK, a historic event that ushered in a new bright era for the country, the revolution and the nation.
    It will be a political event of special mention for the Korean army and people to mark those anniversaries this year while waging a worthwhile struggle to glorify the new era of Juche-oriented revolution, demonstrating the national dignity with the might of Songun under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.
    The past decade in the WPK's 60 year-long history is shining as an immortal decade as great victories have been won and miracles wrought despite the worst difficulties.
    The two anniversaries will offer important occasions in glorifying for all ages the immortal revolutionary history of President Kim Il Sung, the founder of the WPK and father of the nation, and exploits performed by him and demonstrating to the world the fixed will of the army and people to accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche under the WPK's Songun leadership.
    The whole party and army and all the people should turn out as one and bring about a fresh revolutionary surge with the might of Songun to glorify the two anniversaries as the greatest festivals of victors in the history of the Party and the country. This is a general task facing the Korean people this year.
    We should vigorously speed up the general onward march for the Songun revolution holding aloft the slogan "Let the Whole Party and Army and All the People Unite as One in Mind and More Strikingly Demonstrate the Might of Songun!"
    It is necessary to powerfully demonstrate the political and ideological might of our revolutionary ranks of the servicepersons and people united as one around the headquarters of the revolution.
    This unity in mind serves as a bottom line of the Korean revolution and a treasured sword for winning sure victory as it is more powerful than a nuclear weapon. What makes the WPK feel most proud in its 60 year-long history is that it has achieved the unbreakable unity in one mind.
    It is necessary to protect the headquarters of the revolution, the core of this unity, at the cost of one's life. We revolutionary soldiers should enshrine the unshakable resolution to share their destiny with Kim Jong Il to the last no matter how thorny our road may be and no matter what a stern tempest we should weather out and the revolutionary view on life that it is pleasure for us to feel joy or sorrow and undergo an ordeal when following him.
    It is essential to more thoroughly establish a revolutionary discipline and order throughout the Party and the society whereby the people move as one under the WPK's unitary leadership.
    We should protect the unity and cohesion based on the Songun idea of Juche as our own eyeballs.
    It is also necessary to hold fast to the WPK's Songun revolutionary line and increase the country's military capacity in every way.
    We should deeply grasp the revolutionary history of the President who achieved the cause of national liberation with arms under the uplifted banner of Songun, defended the country and the revolution and built an invincible powerful socialist country on the principle of attaching importance to the army and giving priority to military affairs and creditably carry forward the exploits he performed in the army building and tradition established by him in its course.
    We should burnish as the eternal cornerstone of the Juche-oriented revolution, the most precious treasure of the nation, all the exploits, traditions and wealth provided by Kim Jong Il while making endless long journeys of Songun for the last difficult decade since he inspected the post under pine trees.
    The People's Army is the mainstay and main force of the Songun revolution.
    The entire army should more dynamically conduct the movement for winning the title of the O Jung Hup-led 7th Regiment under the uplifted slogan "Let's Defend the Headquarters of the Revolution Headed by the Great Comrade Kim Jong Il at the Cost of Our Lives!" and become the first line death-defying corps and first line human bullets and bombs to protect the supreme commander. It is necessary to thoroughly establish the revolutionary command system and military discipline in the People's Army whereby all the servicepersons move as one by the order of the supreme commander so that it may powerfully demonstrate the invincible might of the strong revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu.
    We should accelerate the process of revolutionizing the people and equipping them with socialist patriotism as required by the Songun era with a view to steadily perfecting the noble trait of the revolutionary army.
    The defence industry is the foundation of the nation's military and economic potentials. It is necessary to increase in every way the might of the defence industry for self-defence which our people have built up in the spirit of fortitude by beginning it from scratch. It is imperative to supply everything necessary for the defence industry on a preferential basis, pursuant to the Party's line of economic construction in the Songun era.
    It is necessary to give fuller play to the fine trait of attaching importance to military affairs and sincerely assisting the People's Army now prevalent in our society and everybody should actively learn from the People's Army's fighting spirit, work style and traits.
    We should effect a great revolutionary surge on all fronts of socialist construction to bring about a decisive turn in economic construction and in the efforts to improve the standard of people's living this year which marks the 60th anniversaries of the WPK and the liberation of the country. This year the army and the people will witness with great joy and excitement events in which they will feel the worth of the hard struggle they have waged despite the grim ordeals and difficulties under the leadership of the Party, looking toward the hopeful morrow.
    We should effect an unprecedented boost in production, just as we did in the period of the great Chollima upswing in the 1950s, on the basis of the solid foundation for building a great prosperous powerful nation which has been laid under the banner of Songun so as to mark the significant holidays this year in grand style and make the whole country hum with activities.
    This is the intention and determination of the Party.
    Agriculture is the main front of socialist economic construction this year.
    It is necessary for the agricultural field to continue implementing the policy of bringing about a signal turn in seed improvement, the policy of cultivating two crops a year, the policy of bringing about a signal turn in potato farming, the policy of successfully growing bean and other Party policies of making the agricultural revolution, the validity of which has been proved in practice. To this end, it is required to widely sow high-yield varieties, supply a sufficient quantity of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals to the countryside, actively introduce modern farming methods and raise the rate of mechanization of farm work.
    The whole Party and country and all the people should give sincere manpower and material assistance to the countryside.
    The editorial underscores the need for the fields of electricity, coal production, metal industry and the railway transport to take the lead in effecting a great surge in high spirit. It calls on the field of light industry to rebuild and modernize its factories and mass-produce a variety of good quality consumer goods. The editorial underlines the need to spruce up the city of Pyongyang and build many more modern dwelling houses in the urban and rural areas.
    The editorial calls for establishing the unique Korean-style economic management system and method and giving full play to their vitality and dynamically pushing ahead with the technological reconstruction of the national economy based on modern science and technology.
    Referring to the tasks to be fulfilled to enhance the function and role of the Cabinet as an organizer and performer of the economic work, bring the revolutionary culture created by soldiers in the Songun era into full bloom and channel great efforts into education, the editorial underscores the need for the Party organizations to give sincere help to economic work as a party work and properly combine the political and administrative affairs.
    Terming the youth the reserves of the revolution who will shoulder upon themselves the future of the country and the nation and a powerful force for building a great prosperous powerful nation, the editorial calls on the young people to fully display the militant spirit and courage as the Songun young vanguard in the general onward march this year.
    It is Kim Jong Il's feats to be specially recorded in the national history that he arranged the north-south summit, the first of its kind in the 55-year long history of national division, and adopted and announced the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, thus opening a turning phase in the country's reunification, the editorial notes, and continues:
    This year is a significant year which marks the 5th anniversaries of the historic Pyongyang meeting and the joint declaration.
    All the fellow countrymen in the north, the south and abroad should make a fresh advance in accomplishing the cause of national reunification this year under the uplifted banner of the joint declaration.
    "Let's advance holding high the flag of cooperation for national independence, cooperation for peace against war and cooperation for reunification and patriotism!" This is the slogan for the movement for national reunification this year.
    National independence is the lifeline for this movement.
    It is unbearable shame on the nation that the sovereignty has been infringed upon for more than 100 years in the half of the country due to the 60 year-long presence of the U.S. troops in the wake of the Japanese imperialists' colonial rule that lasted for over 40 years.
    All the fellow countrymen should turn out as one in the struggle to put an end to the foreign domination and interference and protect the sovereignty and dignity of the nation. They should reject the "cooperation" with outside forces and isolate and weaken the sycophantic and traitorous forces and bury them.
    It is necessary to wage a dynamic struggle for peace against war.
    The danger of a nuclear war is growing on the Korean Peninsula as the days go by owing to the U.S. moves to stifle the DPRK. Should a war break out on this land, it is only Koreans in the north and the south and their land that will suffer from its disaster. All Koreans should stage a powerful struggle for peace against war in order to drive the U.S. troops out of south Korea, remove the very source of a nuclear war and defend the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.
    It is essential to hold high the banner of reunification and patriotism.
    Whoever has the soul and blood of the Korean nation should swim with the trend of reunification and patriotism and make a tangible contribution to the reunification of the country. The organizations of people from all walks of life and figures in the north and the south and overseas should achieve solidarity and alliance on the principle of placing the common interests of the nation above anything else.
    All Koreans should successfully achieve cooperation in the efforts to attain national independence, peace against war and reunification and patriotism in the idea of "By our nation itself" in an effort to open up a new phase for independent reunification in this meaningful year and record a brilliant page in the history of the movement for national reunification.
    Noting that last year witnessed a dynamic struggle against the U.S. imperialists' evermore undisguised brigandish aggression and high-handed practices on the international arena, the editorial urges the U.S. to give up its attempt to stifle the DPRK by force of arms and make a switchover in its hostile policy toward it.
    The army and people of the DPRK will as ever firmly protect the national dignity and sovereignty and invariably remain true to the idea of its foreign policy-- independence, peace and friendship, the editorial concludes.

School Children's New Year Celebration Held

     Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- The school children's New Year celebration was held at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on December 31 to mark the New Year Juche 94 (2005). Present there were senior officials of the Party, state and army and chairpersons of friendly parties.
    Present on invitation were diplomatic envoys and staff members of embassies here and foreign guests.
    Senior officials of the Party, state and army looked round various models and visual aid materials showing the 8 sceneries of Songun and the happy life of school children. The New Year celebration began amid the playing of a song congratulating the New Year.
    School children, together with those prepared mentally, morally and physically, made their New Year's bow to leader Kim Jong Il, carrying the minds of all the people and rising generations.
    They extended New Year's greetings to fathers and mothers across the country who performed heroic feats at all posts for building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation under the leadership of the Party.
    Given at the celebration were colorful numbers including oungum and song "New Year's Snow falls", story telling "New Year Celebration at Mangyongdae in the Presence of Generalissimo", pieces proud of knowledge, morality and physicality and proud of wits, sports dance "Strong Body Is Treasure of the Songun Fatherland", dance and story telling of Korean school children in Japan "Strength of Love", group chorus "The Busiest Father", accordion concert of famous song "Song of Blessing" and chorus "To the Excellent Mark Hill on the Horse of Knowlege, Morality and Physicality".

Gift to Kim Jong Il from Couple of Jordanian King

     Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a gift from the couple of Jordanian King Abdullah II on the threshold of the New Year. The gift was sent to the DPRK embassy in China by the Jordanian embassy in China on December 28.

Gift to Kim Jong Il from Russian Party Leader

     Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by Chairwoman of the Party for Peace and Unity of Russia S. Z. Umalatova on the threshold of the New Year. It was handed to the DPRK ambassador e.p. to Russia by her on Thursday.

Homage to Kim Il Sung

     Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- Senior officials of the Party, state and army, men and officers of the Korean People's Army and people of all social standings today visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to President Kim Il Sung on the occasion of the hopeful New Year Juche 94 (2005). The palace where Kim Il Sung lies in state was visited by senior officials of the Party, state and army, chairpersons of friendly parties, members of the cabinet, leading officials of the party, armed forces and government organs, public organizations, ministries and national institutions.
    Amidst the solemnly playing of the immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Il Sung" a floral basket was laid before the statue of Kim Il Sung in the joint name of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Central Military Commission of the WPK, the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK and the DPRK Cabinet.
    Written on the ribbon of the floral basket were letters "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung Is Immortal".
    Senior officials of the Party, state and army paid deep reverence to the statue of the President.
    They entered the hall where the President lies in state and made heartfelt bows to him.
    They went round orders, medals and certificates of honorary titles awarded to him in the DPRK and foreign countries, his portrait beaming with smile in his face and bronze relievos at the mourners' hall, a train he used during his on-the-spot guidance and visits to foreign countries and a car he used in the last period of his life.
    The palace was also visited by anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters, servicepersons, officials of different organs, working people and the representative of the Pyongyang Mission of the National Democratic Front of south Korea.
    Meanwhile, the diplomatic corps and the military attaches' corps here visited the palace to pay homage to the President.

Korean People Enjoy New Year's Day

     Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- The New Year 2005 is being gaily celebrated in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Streets and tall buildings are bedecked with celebration streamers and words "A Happy New Year" and "The New Year 2005", picture boards, flags and lanterns.
    From the early morning, servicepersons and people have called at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to President Kim Il Sung and visited his statues on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang and in local areas to bow to him.
    Youngsters made a formal bow of respect to elders on the New Year's Day.
    Schoolchildren and central and local art troupes have given New Year performances at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium, theaters and houses of culture.
    And newly released films have been screened at cinema houses.
    Sports and amusement games are being held in different places.
    School and kindergarten children in holiday dresses are flying kites, spinning tops and playing other folk games at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang and in local areas.
    Each family prepares such holiday food as rice cakes steamed on a laver of pine needles, glutinous rice-cakes, rice-cake soup and green gram pancakes.
    Yut (four-stick game) and Korean chess are played at houses.
    Okryu, Chongryu and Pyongyang Noodle Restaurants and other catering networks serve pheasant meatball fried in egg batter, roasted roe deer meat and other holiday dishes.
    Roadside trees, bridges and buildings decorated with electric lamps of various shapes add beauty to the night scenery of the capital.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il recibe presente de presidenta del PPU de Rusia

     Pyongyang, el primero de enero (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio presente que con motivo del nuevo ano le dirigiera Sazhi Umalatova, presidenta del Partido por la Paz y Unidad de Rusia (PPUR). Umalatova lo entrego el 30 de diciembre al embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de Corea en Rusia.

Cuba avanza bajo la bandera del socialismo

     Pyongyang, el primero de enero (ATCC) -- El diario Rodong Sinmun inserto en su edicion del dia primero un articulo dedicado al 46 aniversario del triunfo de la Revolucion Cubana. El primero de enero de 1959, al cabo de una dificil lucha armada, el pueblo cubano, bajo la direccion del maximo dirigente de la Revolucion Cubana Fidel Castro Ruz, logro por fin el triunfo de la revolucion derrocando el poder dictatorial proyanqui de Batista, senala el rotativo y prosigue:
    Esto fue un acontecimiento de suma importancia que trajo un cambio trascendental en la historia del pueblo cubano.
    Despues del triunfo de la revolucion, bajo la correcta guia del Partido Comunista de Cuba encabezado por Fidel, el pueblo cubano impulso victoriosamente la causa del socialismo frustrando las brutales maniobras anticubanas de EE.UU.
    En diciembre del ano expirado, en la Mayor de las Antillas se desplegaron macro-ejercicios militares "Bastion-2004". En esta ocasion, ademas de la potencialidad militar de Cuba, fueron demostradas la posicion y la voluntad revolucionarias del ejercito y el pueblo de la isla de defender fidedignamente la Revolucion Cubana e impulsar activamente la causa del socialismo.
    El pueblo coreano aprecia mucho al pueblo cubano que avanza con la bandera del antiimperialismo, la independencia y el socialismo en alto y se solidariza firmemente con su justa causa.
    Los pueblos de Corea y de Cuba son companeros de armas revolucionarios que luchan por una meta comun e intimos amigos. Las relaciones de amistad entre ambos paises se estrechan dia a dia.
    En lo adelante tambien, el pueblo coreano realizara ingentes esfuerzos por fortalecer y desarrollar las tradicionales relaciones de amistad y cooperacion con el hermano pueblo caribeno.
    El pueblo coreano envia calurosa felicitacion y saludo combativo al hermano pueblo cubano que festeja el 46 aniversario del triunfo de la Revolucion y le desea de todo corazon nuevas victorias en su ulterior lucha.