Past news

FIFA Disciplinary Committee's Unreasonable "Decision" Refuted

    Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Cheyuk Sinmun (sports newspaper) of the DPRK Friday in a commentary termed the "decision" taken by the Disciplinary Committee of the FIFA against the behaviors of Korean spectators an unreasonable one. The commentary says: Recently the committee took a disciplinary step against behaviors of spectators after the matches between the DPRK team and the Bahraini team and between the DPRK team and the Iranian team.
    The "decision" calls for holding the match between the DPRK team and the Japanese team in a stadium without spectators in a third country, instead of having it in Pyongyang on June 8 as scheduled, and imposing a fine upon the DPRK team.
    The disciplinary measure taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee against the behaviors of spectators after painting them as a "disturbance" and considering it as an established fact is lashing the Korean people into great fury because they deem the national dignity as their life and soul.
    It was a prejudice that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee "branded" the just actions of spectators as a "disturbance" or "commotion". The DPRK Football Association in a statement of its spokesman protested against the unreasonable behavior of the referees, sent video tapes on which the unfair refereeing is recorded to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and its members received and watched them. And the committee exceptionally invited a DPRK delegation to hear from it the principled request for dealing with the unreasonable behavior of the referees. The committee, however, turned it down and adopted such a harsh "decision" against the DPRK team.
    The soccer history does not record such awfully unfair refereeing as what happened during the matches held here.
    If the FIFA Disciplinary Committee allows such partial refereeing to go on, this will cast a darker shadow on the development of the world soccer in the future.
    The committee should sternly punish those who partially refereed the matches and apply sanctions against them. The committee has left a blot on its history by taking such an unjust "decision" against the DPRK team which took just actions while respecting rules concerning discipline instituted by the FIFA.
    What should not be overlooked is that the committee could not properly fulfill its duty because it more attentively listened to an "advice" made by Japan. This is the comment of the world public.
    No sooner had the committee made the unreasonable decision than Japan proposed to have Malaysia as the venue of match before any other country. It is the ulterior motive of Japan to trounce the DPRK team by creating a favorable environment for it come what may. Japan is running so wild to achieve its aim, unaware that it has become a laughing-stock of the world.
    If it is true that the dignified FIFA Disciplinary Committee accepted Japan's "advice," it would be an irretrievable historic mistake committed by it.
    It is our hope that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will reexamine the issues related to the above-mentioned case and make a wise judgment for the sake of its authority, the development of football and the future of the FIFA.
    We will closely follow the future attitude of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

Anniversary of DPRK-Thai Diplomatic Ties Marked

    Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held at the Chollima House of Culture Thursday to mark the 30th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Thailand. Present were Chairman Kang Chol Su and members of the Korea-Thailand Friendship Association and working people in the city.
    The chairman made a speech there.
    After the meeting participants went round photographs introducing Thailand.

Events Held to Mark Russia's Day of War Victory

    Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- The Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association arranged a photo exhibition and a film show at the Chollima House of Culture Thursday to mark the 60th anniversary of the victory of Russia in the Great Patriotic War. Present on invitation were Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov and embassy officials.
    On hand were Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Hong Son Ok, vice-chairperson of the committee and chairperson of the association, officials concerned and working people in the city.
    The participants went round photos showing the heroic struggle waged by the army and people of Russia against the armed invasion by the fascist German aggressors before watching a feature film "In the Fourth Year of the War".

8th Pyongyang Int'l Commodity Fair to Be Held

Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- The 8th Pyongyang International Commodity Fair will be held from May 16 to 19. It will bring together many companies of different countries and regions, including the DPRK, China, Syria, Thailand, Romania, Germany, Italy, Britain, Switzerland, Netherlands and Malaysia.
It will mark a significant occasion in strengthening and developing cooperation and exchange among countries and regions in foreign trade, economy, science and technology and other fields.

April Fetes of DPRK Celebrated in 100 Odd Countries

    Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Grand functions were held in at least 100 countries on the occasions of the Day of the Sun, the 12th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and the birthday of the Korean People's Army. Floral baskets were presented to President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il by heads of state and government including the king of Cambodia, the Guinean president and the chief of the Palestinian National Authority, and political party leaders, public figures as well as political parties and organizations of different countries.
    Kim Il Sung's work "For a Free and Peaceful New World" was bought out in booklet by the Cantaclara Publishing House of Venezuela and Kim Jong Il's work "Let Us Carry Out the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung's Instructions for National Reunification" by the Mongolian Mt. Paektu Association. The books "A Legendary Great Man" and "Great Succession" saw the light in Russia
    and the book "Leader Possessed of Peculiar Political Ability" was published by the Group of Dialectical Materialists of Italy.
    The Rojas City government in Ecuador held a special plenary session and registered Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk as honorary citizens and decided to present the key of the city to Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
    The Nepal Journalist Association registered Kim Jong Il as an honorary special member of the association and presented its certificate to him.
    More than 400 colorful functions such as meetings, seminars, lectures, round-table talks and art performances took place in over 100 countries including China, Russia, Cuba, India, Nigeria, Tanzania, France, Mexico and Peru with the participation of senior government, military and public officials.

Foreign Diplomats Visit Fish Farm

Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Representatives of embassies and international organizations here on Thursday visited the Fish Farm whose director is Ra Hyo Jin. Being briefed on the modern farm successfully built by soldiers of the Korean People's Army, the visitors went round the terraced fish ponds into which flows spring water from deep valleys.

Total Cancellation of "5029" War Scenario Demanded

    Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Recently the U.S. and the south Korean authorities concerned held a huddle over the issue of renaming "OPLAN 5029", a very dangerous scenario of war against the north allegedly aimed at coping with a "contingency" to be created there, the "Notion Plan 5029". In this regard, a spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland issued a statement on Friday.
    The "Notion Plan 5029" is nothing different from "OPLAN 5029" in essence as both are anti-north war scenarios presupposing a military intervention in case of an emergency, the statement noted, and continued:
    The mere change of the name of a scenario would never reduce its aggressive and dangerous nature.
    By origin, the "OPLAN 5029" is intolerable as its appearance and existence is a total negation of the north and a grave challenge to it. Therefore, it should be nullified unconditionally and totally.
    A "contingency" is unthinkable in the DPRK society where all the servicepersons and people are single-mindedly united. It is like crying for the moon to expect this to happen.
    They will never allow those who move to destroy the dignified system in the DPRK but mete out a deserved punishment to them, the statement warned.

Gift to Kim Jong Il from Russian State Duma Delegation

Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the delegation of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on a visit to the DPRK. The gift was handed to Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today by Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma who is leading the delegation.

Child Prodigies Produced by Kyongsang Kindergarten

    Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Kyongsang Kindergarten in Central District of Pyongyang, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, has brought up one more prodigy. Kim So Yon, who graduated from the kindergarten this year, is now studying at Pyongyang School of Arts.
    Already at the age of 3 she was prominent in her quick observation and understanding of things and phenomena and in musical sense and application.
    For two years after she started taking piano lessons at the kindergarten at the age of five, she wrote and composed more than 100 songs including "Footsteps of the People's Army" and "Good, Indeed, Is Our Kindergarten."
    They are admired by even music experts.
    Kyongsang Kindergarten is famous for having produced many prodigies with good artistic talents.
    Kindergarteners there have made by themselves many teaching materials including books "How to Play Piano for Children" and "Sight Reading for Children" and visual aids and furnishing needed to develop the intelligence of the children.
    They have worked out daily program run through with songs and dances, properly combining it with physical training and intelligence-developing games.
    They have also directed deep attention to the early musical education. As a result, they have trained over 1,000 artistic talents over the last two decades.
    Director of the kindergarten Kim Chun Sil told KCNA that such achievements could be made thanks to the excellent system of nursing and educating the children as the "king" of the country and to the sincere efforts of the kindergarteners to discharge their responsibility and duty.

Mt. Taebak Turns into Scenic Spot

Talks between Delegations of Law-Making Bodies of DPRK and Russia Held

    Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Talks between delegations of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK and the State Duma of the Russian Federation took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. The talks expressed the common intention of both sides to further develop parliamentary relations between the two countries in conformity with the DPRK-Russia relations of friendship and cooperation developing on good terms in all fields and discussed relevant measures.
    Both sides exchanged views on the international issues of mutual concern and stressed the need to strengthen mutual cooperation in the international arena.
    The Russian side expressed its understanding that the measures recently taken by the DPRK regarding the DPRK-U.S. nuclear issue are reasonable and there is no other means and showed its interest in the DPRK's stand on the settlement of the nuclear issue..
    The DPRK side recalled that the U.S. administration has stuck to its policy of totally negating the DPRK's system and not co-existing with it under any circumstances. Under this situation the DPRK could not participate in the six-party talks and has resolved to bolster its nuclear arsenal steadily, it noted, and went on:
    There is no change in the DPRK principled stand to remain committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and seek a negotiated peaceful solution to the nuclear issue. If the U.S. moves with trustworthy sincerity toward the DPRK and provides conditions and justification for the resumption of the six-party talks, it will return to the talks anytime.
    The Russian side noted that Russia and the DPRK have the ties based on profound trust, adding that it would strive to find a solution to the nuclear issue on the basis of the latter's stand.
    The talks proceeded in a friendly and sincere atmosphere.
    Present there from the DPRK side were members of the delegation of the SPA led by Deputy to the SPA Hong So Hon, chairman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Parliamentary Group and from the Russian side members of the delegation of the State Duma led by Chairman of its International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev and Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov.

Kim Yong Nam Meets Russian Duma Delegation

Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a talk with a delegation of the Russian State Duma headed by Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of its International Affairs Committee, in a friendly atmosphere at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Present there were Hong So Hon, chairman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Parliamentary Group who is deputy to the SPA, officials concerned and Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov.

Korean Student Places First at International Concours

    Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Korean student Yun Jin Bok studying at Moscow State Conservatory Named after Tchaikovsky in Russia placed first at the "Art of the 21st Century" International Concours (piano). More than 90 pianists of the DPRK, Russia, China, Japan and other countries participated in the concours held in Kiev from April 24 to 30.
    Yun Jin Bok was highly appreciated by the jury for successfully representing piano tunes through his excellent and refined rendition.
    The first prize was awarded to Yun Jin Bok at the prize-awarding ceremony.
    He gave an exhibition performance at the closing presentation of the concours.
    The audience was deeply moved by his fascinating and skilful play of piano as it led them to a beautiful music world.

Letter to Kim Jong Il from Student Yun Jin Bok

    Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il on May 4 received a letter from Yun Jin Bok studying at Moscow State Conservatory Named after Tchaikovsky who placed first at the "art of the 21st century" international concours (piano concours) held in Ukraine. The letter said that he has received from Kim Jong Il the greatest loving care no one else has ever got in this world and, therefore, worked heart and soul to repay this boundless care and benevolence even a bit. Having had the honor of placing first at the international piano concours today, I have the pleasure to offer my sincerest thanks to you, it said.
    The letter noted that the certificate of the first prize of the concours "art of the 21st century" conferred upon him means a citation reflecting the deep love shown by Kim Jong Il and a letter of thanks sent by his family to him.
    The letter expressed his determination to contribute to bringing the Korean art of Juche into fuller bloom in the future, considering this success as the first stepping stone, and thus become a bodyguard protecting Kim Jong Il with music.

For Spanish-speaking people

Tendra lugar VIII Exposicion Internacional de Mercancias

Pyongyang, 6 de mayo (ATCC) -- Tendra lugar del 16 al 19 de mayo la VIII edicion de la Exposicion Internacional de Mercancias de Pyongyang. En la ocasion tomaran parte las companias de varios paises y regiones, entre otros, Corea, China, Siria, Tailandia, Rumania, Alemania, Italia, Gran Bretana, Suiza, Holanda y Malasia. La feria les servira de un motivo para promover la cooperacion y el intercambio en las esferas de comercio exterior, economia, ciencia, tecnica, etc.

VII Simposio de ciencias medicas de Pyongyang

    Pyongyang, 6 de mayo (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar los dias 4 y 5 en el capitalino Palacio Cultural del Pueblo el VII Simposio de Ciencias Medicas de Pyongyang con la participacion de los coreanos dentro y fuera del pais. Al pronunciar un discurso de apertura, Choe Chang Sik, presidente del Comite Central de la Asociacion de Medicos de Corea, formulo su deseo de que los participantes intercambien exitos y experiencias para el desarrollo de ciencias medicas de la nacion coreana de modo que el presente foro contribuya activamente al desarrollo a un nivel mas alto de las ciencias y tecnicas del ramo y a la prosperidad de nuestra patria.
    Acto seguido, accedieron al microfono para felicitar a los reunidos en el evento Kim Il U, vicepresidente de la Asociacion de Medicos Coreanos residentes en Japon, y Kim Yun Bom, profesor de la Universidad de Medicina de Chicago, EE.UU., quienes llamaron a los galenos del Norte, el Sur y en ultramar a fortalecer aun mas los lazos nacionales para hacer gran aporte a la medicina de Corea y la realizacion de la causa de la reunificacion.
    En los debates entablados en el marco del evento, los doctores coreanos residentes en ultramar abordaron los temas como "La funcion de las celulas naturales moribundas en el sistema de inmunidad", "La tendencia actual de la terapia de hipertension" y "La tecnica de la expansion del borde alveolar para el trasplante dental", en los cuales presentaron los adelantos registrados en la medicina moderna y los metodos basados en la ciencia y tecnica de punta para tratar sintomas de varias enfermedades y discutieron sobre los problemas pendientes en la medicina.
    Ademas, se dieron a conocer decenas de valiosos exitos investigativos y experiencias, en particular, "El estudio del metodo curativo por horario segun los ritmos tipicos de los casos de la hipertension", que viabilizan solucionar los apremiantes problemas conforme a la peculiaridad fisica del pueblo coreano y la practica sanitaria del pais e introducir los exitos cientifico-tecnicos de punta en la profilaxis y tratamiento de enfermedades.
    Los participantes nortenos, surenos y de ultramar tambien debatieron sinceramente los medios para activar aun mas el intercambio y la cooperacion entre si.
    Al foro asistieron la delegacion de medicos coreanos residentes en Japon presidida por Kim Tae Sik, vicepresidente de la Asociacion de Medicos Coreanos residentes en el pais-isla, la de medicos coreanos residentes en EE.UU. encabezada por el prof. Kim Yun Bom y Kim Chol, medico coreano residente en China quien es profesor de la Universidad de Dalian, China.

Simposio comercial auspiciado por MINCOMEX y PNUD

    Pyongyang, 6 de mayo (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar los dias 4 y 5 en el Hotel Internacional Yanggakdo en esta capital el simposio comercial coauspiciado por el Ministerio de Comercio Exterior (MINCOMEX) de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y el Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD). La palabra de apertura estuvo a cargo de Kim Myong Chol, director general de la Direccion General de Cooperacion con Organizaciones Internacionales, quien senalo que el presente simposio dara ayuda a mejorar el comercio exterior, elevar la eficacia del comercio, comprender los metodos de comercio estandar internacional y captar la tendencia del desarrollo comercial de Asia y otras regiones del mundo.
    Abu Selim, representante interino de la representacion del PNUD, en su discurso, senalo que el presente forum sirve de significativo motivo para hacer que los hombres de negocios de Corea y de varios paises y organizaciones internacionales intercambien sus experiencias practicas y anadio que es importante establecer las relaciones de cooperacion en el desarrollo del comercio y economia con el extranjero.
    Subrayo que a traves de repetidas conversaciones y simposios, el PNUD fortalecera la colaboracion y seguira cooperando con la magna comunidad internacional incluyendo Corea.
    En la ocasion se dio lectura a una carta de felicitacion enviada al citado simposio por la sede de PNUD.
    Acto seguido, el viceministro de Comercio Exterior, Ri Myong San, al intervenir, expreso agradecimiento al PNUD que dio ayuda activa al desarrollo del trafico de Corea y apunto que el gobierno de la RPDC toma por la invariable politica desarrollar las relaciones comerciales y economicas con todos los paises que la tratan amistosamente bajo el ideal de la independencia, la paz y la amistad.
    Destaco que tambien en lo adelante activara el comercio exterior, allanara el mercado exterior al elevar al nivel mundial la calidad de los productos de segunda y tercera elaboracion de gran demanda a base de abundante materias primas criollas, introducira las ciencias y tecnicas avanzadas y desarrollara constantemente las relaciones comerciales y economicas con varios paises del mundo.
    En el simposio se dieron a conocer el ambiente y condicion comercial incluyendo la politica comercial y el regimen legislativo de la RPDC, la tendencia de desarrollo comercial en escala internacional y las experiencias comerciales de varios paises y se discutieron el problema de mejorar el procedimiento y metodo de comercio, el de las relaciones entre el comercio e inversion y otros asuntos practicos.
    Estuvieron presentes en el acto los representantes de las organizaciones internacionales incluyendo el PNUD, especialistas de trafico de Malasia, Singapur, Alemania, Inglaterra y Australia, el representante interino de la representacion del PNUD, Abu Selim, y miembros del Cuerpo de Consejeros Economicos y Comerciales, en Corea.