Japan's Distortion of History Textbooks Assailed in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- The Tok Islet Fellowship Society made public a statement in protest against Japan's distortion of history textbooks, according to south Korean MBC. Japan's recent distortion of history textbooks is attributable to the Japanese government's disregard of the Korean nation, the statement said, calling for settling the issue of textbooks even if the diplomatic ties with Japan may be severed.
    In another development, the Solidarity for Asian Peace and History Education in a statement said that Japan's distortion of history textbooks is a matter related to the view on value and declared that it would surely check such move in solidarity with the conscientious intellectuals of Japan.
    KBS of south Korea condemned Japanese right-wing media for having released biased reports about the distorted history textbooks.

Preparatory Committee Inaugurated in Sweden

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- An inaugural ceremony of the Swedish preparatory committee for commemorating the Day of the Sun was held in Malmo, Sweden, on Mar. 11. Richard Stenberg, chairman of the Swedish National Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea, was elected chairman of the preparatory committee at the ceremony.
    The committee set the period from the middle of March to the middle of April for significantly commemorating the Day of the Sun and decided to organize diverse functions such as seminars and film shows and the release of information bulletins in this period.
    The chairman of the committee introduced in detail the short biography of revolutionary activities of President Kim Il Sung.

U.S. Urged to Rebuild Groundwork of Six-Party Talks

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- The Asian Regional Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification, the All India Indo-Korean Friendship Association and the Indian Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification in a joint statement on Mar. 8 fully supported the statement and memorandum issued by the DPRK Foreign Ministry denouncing the U.S. evermore pronounced hostile policy toward the DPRK. The statement urged the U.S. to take a sincere approach, retract its wrong assertion terming the DPRK part of "an axis of evil" and "an outpost of tyranny" and rebuild the groundwork of the six-party talks.
    It is entirely just for the DPRK to have produced nukes for self-defence in order to frustrate the political attempt of the Bush administration to mount a preemptive nuclear attack on it, the statement added.
    Fully supporting the memorandum which said that the master key to the settlement of the nuclear issue between the DPRK and the U.S. lies in making a policy switchover from its hostile policy to the policy of peaceful co-existence between the two countries, the statement strongly demanded the U.S. rebuild the groundwork of the talks destroyed by itself as early as possible so that conditions and atmosphere may be created for their resumption.
    It appealed to the Indian people who love democracy and peace to fully support the reasonable stance of the DPRK clarified in the statement and memorandum and denounce the aggressive policy of the U.S. imperialists which create an atmosphere of war with its threat to invade socialist Korea.

Prize Awarded to Scientists and Technicians of Merit

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- A ceremony was held here Wednesday to award February 16 Science and Technology Prize to scientists and technicians of distinguished service. At the ceremony, certificates and medals of the prize (individual) and prize money were conferred on Ri Hyon Gwang, room chief of Kim Il Sung University, Choe Hyon Ju, room chief of Sin Yong Min-led unit, and Ri Yon Ho, a researcher of Kim Je Won Haeju University of Agriculture, who have distinguished themselves in carrying out fresh scientific and technological research tasks.
    Certificates and medals of the prize and prize money went to scientific research units and industrial establishments which have successfully implemented tasks for five projects and certificates of scientific and technological merit to leading officials of several units who have rendered active assistance to the scientific researches.
    Attending the ceremony were Secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea Choe Thae Bok, Vice-Premier of the Cabinet Ro Tu Chol and officials concerned, scientists and technicians.

Songun Politics Praised as Engine Advancing Era of Reunification

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- The Songun politics serves as a just treasured sword for defending the sovereignty of the nation and peace and security of the country and an engine advancing the era of independent reunification. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article. It goes on:
    The Songun politics is an independent one for repelling foreign interference with arms of justice and protecting the dignity and sovereignty of the nation. The U.S. imperialists dare not attack the DPRK though they regard it as a thorn in their flesh. This is a proof of the validity and great vitality of the Songun politics.
    The politics represents the unshakable will and pluck of the army and people of the DPRK not to allow anyone to infringe upon the sovereignty of the country and nation even a bit.
    It serves as a just treasured sword to remove the danger of war from the Korean Peninsula and protect its peace and security with matchless arms.
    But for the Songun politics, a nuclear war would have broken out on the peninsula more than once and the whole territory of Korea would have been engulfed in that war to force all the Koreans in the north and south to suffer its holocaust.
    The Songun politics also serves as a powerful engine to protect the Korean nation's cause of reunification, strengthen the pro-reunification patriotic forces and push forward the process of reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.
    Strengthening the internal forces for reunification provides a sure guarantee for the success in the reunification movement.
    The south Korean people, too, are turning out in the struggle for independence against the U.S. in the spirit of national independence, quite different from what they did in the past. There is only the structure of the Korean nation's confrontation with the U.S. on the peninsula where anti-Americanism has become the trend of the times. And "By our nation itself" has become an idea of all the Koreans.
    It is quite natural for all the Koreans in the north, the south and overseas to highly praise the Songun politics which fully demonstrates its vitality in practice and support it as the most patriotic politics to keep the nation alive and bring about a bright future of a reunified country.

Attempts of Traitors' Descendents to Retake "Forefathers' Land" Slashed in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the National Democratic Front of south Korea issued a statement on Tuesday in denunciation of the noisy campaign of descendents of pro-Japanese traitors to retake their "forefathers' land", according to the Kuguk Jonson Internet site. The Korean nation had been subject to the unbearable fate of colonial slavery for over 40 years, having lost the state power to the Japanese imperialists owing to such pro-Japanese traitors as Ri Wan Yong, Ri Kun Thaek and Song Pyong Jun, the statement noted, and added: Those traitors should have been punished by a stern judgement of history after the August 15 liberation of the country.
    It further said:
    The judicial authorities patronize the descendents of the traitors and admit their ownership, arguing that there is no legal ground for the state to confiscate the land, even though it belonged to pro-Japanese elements.
    The scandalous campaign of the descendants of pro-Japanese elements to retake land is an inevitable offspring of the U.S. colonial rule.
    As long as the U.S. stays in south Korea and patronizes such pro-U.S. and pro-Japanese traitorous forces as the Grand National Party, it will be impossible to stop such impudent act as the above-said campaign, not to speak of the settlement of the Japanese imperialists' past crimes If the tragic reality today, in which the descendents of pro-Japanese elements who sold off the country become influential, is to be rectified, all the people should turn out in a fight to end domination and subjugation by outsiders and resume national sovereignty.
    For the present, the people of all walks of life should intensify the fight to confiscate all the properties of the pro-Japanese traitors and get the U.S. forces withdrawn from south Korea, while struggling to institute a "special law on the redemption of pro-Japanese elements' properties."

U.S. Sabre Rattling Blasted

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- U.S. carrier Kitty Hawk entered Pusan Port and its several cruisers and destroyers also made portcalls on south Korea on March 14 at a time when the situation on the Korean Peninsula is inching close to the phase of explosion owing to its hostile policy toward the DPRK. This clearly proves that the U.S. is working hard to overthrow the system in the DPRK and stifle it under the pretext of the nuclear issue between the DPRK and the U.S. Papers here Thursday say this in their signed commentaries.
    Rodong Sinmun notes: The U.S. dispatch of its carrier to south Korea is a reckless military blackmail and provocation against the DPRK as it indicates that its authorities are not working to settle the problem through its co-existence and dialogue with the DPRK but seeking to stifle it by force of arms.
    The U.S. is talking about "the six-party talks," leveling its guns at the DPRK after bringing the carrier to the peninsula, and pressurizing it to dismantle its "nuclear program." This is nothing but a move to disarm the DPRK and stifle it.
    The U.S. is now seized by war hysteria to invade the DPRK, guided by the strength-almighty theory. This is a serious mistake and blunder that may entail irretrievable catastrophic consequences.
    Should the U.S., overconfident of its "strength," opt for starting a war of aggression against the DPRK, persistently pursuing its hostile policy to stifle Pyongyang, the latter will mercilessly wipe out the aggressors with the matchless arms of Songun and achieve national reunification.
    Minju Joson urges the south Korean authorities to stop such treacherous acts as allowing the U.S. carrier to enter their port and join the aggressors in their war maneuvers, dropping their servility to the U.S. and anti-north confrontational posture as early as possible.

Boosting of DPRK-Russia Ties Called for

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Papers here today mark the 56th anniversary of the inter-governmental agreement on economic and cultural cooperation between the DPRK and the former Soviet Union (March 17, 1949). Rodong Sinmun in a signed article says that the two countries have boosted cooperation and exchange in various fields on the basis of the agreement.
    The DPRK-Russia friendly and cooperative relations have entered the phase of a new turning point in the new century, the article says, and goes on:
    Leader Kim Jong Il's historic visit to the Russian Federation and its Far Eastern Region and President V.V. Putin's DPRK visit marked historic events as they put the DPRK-Russia friendship on a higher level in keeping with the need of the new century, the desire of the two peoples and the trend of the development of international relations, and served as an engine of injecting strong dynamism into the bilateral relations.
    Recently Kim Jong Il paid a visit to the Russian embassy here and received a medal commemorating the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War presented by Russian President V.V. Putin. This eloquently proves that the bilateral relations are growing strong on a high level.
    The Russian people are now registering successes in the work to build powerful Russia, protect the security and interests of the country and achieve social stability and progress under the leadership of V.V. Putin.
    The DPRK-Russia friendly and cooperative relations will grow stronger in the future thanks to the concerted efforts of the two governments and the two peoples, the articles stresses.
    Minju Joson in a signed article notes that the above-said agreement will continue to fully display its great vitality in boosting the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's Famous Work Observed

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today dedicates an article to the 8th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's famous work "On Learning from Revolutionary Soldier Spirit". The work published on Mar. 17, Juche 86 (1997) serves as a textbook of life and struggle which gave the conviction of sure victory and precious ideological pabulum to the army and the people of the DPRK in the period of the "Arduous March," the most difficult time, and the militant banner on which a tight hold must be kept by the ranks of the general march today, says the author of the article, and continues:
    It elucidates tasks and ways for learning from the revolutionary soldier spirit such as the issues of following the spirit through their features of struggle and art activities, conducting the information and agitation work of the Workers' Party of Korea in the frontline manner in keeping with actual requirements and circumstances and giving effective education in revolutionary faith and will to the Party members and other working people.
    It is thanks to the revolutionary soldier spirit that the army and the people of the DPRK have been able to devotedly defend the destiny of the country and the nation and open up the stirring new era of the building of a great prosperous powerful nation in the grim tests in which their lives were at stake.
    To cherish the unshakable faith that President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il are the best is the basic requisite to become a possessor of the revolutionary soldier spirit.
    The basic bedrock of the revolutionary soldier spirit is unquestioned loyalty to the Party and the leader. Only a man who grasps in his heart the greatnesses of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and has firm faith in the invincibility of the cause of revolution can be a fighter devotedly defending the leader and carrying through his line.
    The revolutionary soldier spirit given by Kim Jong Il is a mighty treasured sword capable of moving a mountain and filling up a sea and priceless ideological pabulum for all the functionaries, Party members and other working people in the Songun era.

Greetings to President of Ireland

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Mary Mcaleese , president of Ireland, on Mar. 17 on the occasion of its national day. In the belief that the friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries would grow stronger, he wished the Irish people well-being and prosperity.

Brisk Campaign against Yellow Sand Damage in DPRK

     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- With the advent of spring, activities to prevent possible yellow sand damage are being conducted in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Members of the Feb. 17 Shock Brigade of Scientists and Technicians are engaged in observing sand storm and its movement and finding out its physical and chemical components. As the effect of dust storm on environment, industry and agriculture including vehicles, precision machines, crops, livestock and sericulture has been clarified, measures to prevent its damage are being taken.
    Through TV and radios, scientists explain every day such common sense as harmful effects of yellow sand on human body including eyes, respiratory organs and skin and measures necessary to avoid damage.
    Public health officials and medical workers conduct hygienic information activities with visual aids at institutions, factories and residential quarters.
    Newspapers and magazines come out with articles related to dust storms.

For Spanish-speaking people

Suecia: comite preparatorio por Dia del Sol

     Pyongyang, 17 de marzo (ATCC) -- Quedo constituido el dia 11 en Malmo el Comite Preparatorio de Suecia por el Dia del Sol. Como presidente del Comite fue electo Richard Stenberg, presidente del Comite Nacional de Suecia para el Estudio de la Idea Juche.
    El Comite definio desde mediados de marzo hasta la segunda decada de abril como periodo mensual para celebrar solemnemente esa efemeride y decidio organizar simposio, proyeccion filmica, edicion de boletin y otras actividades.
    En la ocasion, el presidente del citado comite dio a conocer la breve biografia de actividades revolucionarias del Presidente Kim Il Sung.

Politica de Songun es fuerza motriz para reunificacion independiente

     Pyongyang, 17 de marzo (ATCC) -- El diario Rodong Sinmun, en su articulo individual insertado en su edicion del dia 17, senala que hoy en dia la politica de Songun (priorizacion militar) viene a ser un justo remedio para defender la independencia nacional, la paz y la seguridad del pais y una fuerza motriz que impulsa la epoca de la reunificacion independiente de la patria y prosigue: Es una politica independiente para expulsar con las fuerzas armadas justicieras a los intervencionistas extranjeros y defender la dignidad y la soberania de la nacion. La justeza y el gran poderio de la politica de Songun se comprueban en que los imperialistas norteamericanos no se atreven a tocarnos aunque nos miran como pujas en los ojos.
    Nuestra politica de Songun contiene la firme voluntad y la propia determinacion de nuestro ejercito y pueblo de no tolerar jamas cualquier intencion de atentar la soberania del pais y la nacion.
    Tambien constituye un justo remedio para eliminar con las invencibles fuerzas armadas el peligro de la guerra y preservar la paz y la seguridad en la Peninsula Coreana.
    Si no hubieran existido nuestras fuerzas armadas del Songun, habria estallado mas de diez veces la guerra nuclear en la Peninsula Coreana y todo el territorio de tres mil ri (10 ri equivalen a 4 kilometros) habria caido en la voragine de esta conflagracion y todos los coreanos del Norte y el Sur de Corea la habrian sufrido.
    La politica de Songun deviene la gran fuerza motriz para proteger la causa de la reunificacion de nuestra nacion, fortalecer las fuerzas patrioticas para esta causa e impulsar el proceso de reconciliacion en la Peninsula Coreana.
    La consolidacion de las fuerzas subjetivas de la reunificacion constituye una segura garantia de la victoria del movimiento por la reunificacion.
    Diferente de lo que hicieron en el pasado, ahora los habitantes surcoreanos tambien se levantan en la lucha por la independencia antiyanqui con el espiritu de independencia nacional. La estructura de confrontacion en la Peninsula Coreana donde la antiyanqui es la tendencia general se ha fijado seguramente entre la nacion coreana y EE.UU. y la consigna "Con las fuerzas unidas de nuestra nacion" ha sido un ideal de toda la nacion.
    Es natural que hoy en dia todos los coreanos del Norte, el Sur y en ultramar elogian altamente y apoyan la politica de Songun de gran vitalidad practica calificandola de politica de amor al pais, a la nacion y al pueblo que promete un futuro maravilloso de la patria reunificada.

Corea activa resguardo contra polvos arenosos

     Pyongyang, 17 de marzo (ATCC) -- Con la llegada de la primavera, en Corea se libra una batalla por defenderse de los impactos de polvos arenosos. En esta labor se destaca el desempeno de la "Brigada de Choque de Cientificos y Tecnicos 17 de Febrero" que profundiza la investigacion para diagnosticar a tiempo y con exactitud el origen, el desplazamiento y los componentes fisico-quimicos de los polvos arenosos.
    Ademas, se toman medidas preventivas a base del esclarecimiento de influencias negativas que ejercen los polvos amarrillos sobre los vehiculos, maquinas de precision, plantas agricolas, ganaderia, sericultura y otros sectores industriales y agricolas asi como el medioambiente natural.
    En particular, los brigadistas comparecen casi todos los dias a las cadenas de TV y la radio para dar a conocer a los habitantes las informaciones referentes a los impactos perniciosos de los polvos amarrillos sobre la vista, el sistema respiratorio, el cutis y otras partes del cuerpo humano y a los remedios para protegerse de estos.
    Mientras tanto, los funcionarios sanitarios y los medicos acuden a los lugares mas congregados, o sea, los organos, empresas, barrios y unidades de vecinos para lanzar una intensa campana interpretativa e higienica con medios audiovisuales.
    Por su parte, los periodicos, las revistas y otros medios de prensa e informacion insertan articulos sobre este fenomeno natural adverso.