Important Anniversaries in DPRK Observed

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting was held in Sandomierz on May 28 to mark the 41st anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 5th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration under the sponsorship of the Sandomierz-Opatow Branch of the Poland-Korea Association. On display in the venue of the meeting were famous works of Kim Jong Il and Korean books.
    Members of the branch present at the meeting extended warm congratulations to the Korean people on the occasions of the 60th anniversaries of the foundation of the Workers' Party of Korea and the liberation of Korea and evinced their resolution to intensify the movement for solidarity with the Korean people in the future.
    Meanwhile, the Taekwon-do championships of the Kyrgyz Republic took place at the Sports Palace of the Republic from May 28 to 29 on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and the national army day of Kyrgyzstan.

Mt. Kumgang Draws One Million Tourists

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee issued a statement Tuesday in connection with the fact that the number of tourists of Mt. Kumgang has reached one million since its start at a time when a new phase is opening in the process to warm up the north-south relations in the run-up to the fifth anniversary of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. The tour of Mt. Kumgang was a nationwide great undertaking as it declared a fresh beginning of the process of reconciliation and unity between the north and the south and paved the way for multi-faceted and broad-based cooperation and exchange, the statement said, and went on:
    The tour of Mt. Kumgang was beset with various complicated political and military issues but we opened up the way of tour of Mt. Kumgang, prompted by a bold patriotic decision to meet the ardent desire of the compatriots in south Korea to see the famous mountain of the nation even before the country is reunified.
    This made it possible for people from all walks of life in south Korea to cross the Military Demarcation Line, climb the world's famous Mt. Kumgang they longed to see even in dreams and enjoy its scenic beauty, imbuing them with national pride and self-confidence.
    Separated families and relatives who had not heard from each other for decades have had emotion-charged reunions at Mt. Kumgang resort and workers, peasants, women and youth and students held joint functions and seminars for national reunification, laying a firm foundation of national cooperation.
    Indeed, the tour of Mt. Kumgang which was started and developed by the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee and the Hyundai Group, guided by the spirit of confidence, instilled a fresh hope for reunification into the fellow countrymen.
    This tour led to the reconnection of the East and West coastal railway links and roads and the project of the Kaesong Industrial Zone, opening a new history of rejoining the divided territory and the severed blood ties of the nation.
    It brought about at last landmark events such as the historic north-south summit meeting and the publication of the June 15 joint declaration, ushering in an exciting era after the publication of the June 15 joint declaration in which the hot wind of "By our nation itself" is blowing.
    The tour of Mt. Kumgang is entering a new phase.
    The transportation for tourists had been confined to a sea route in its early period. But it now includes overland travel, making it possible for an increasing number of tourists to travel more quickly and comfortably.
    Tourist courses and facilities have been updated to the convenience of visitors.
    The tour of Mt. Kumgang was by no means smooth as it was accompanied by an acute confrontation with the anti-reunification forces at home and abroad.
    In this course trailblazers in the work for inter-Korean economic cooperation met tragic deaths after being branded as "criminals" at court.
    It was a product of the persistent obstructions of the United States and the south Korean ultra-right conservative forces.
    But no force on earth could stop the tour of Mt. Kumgang at a time when all Koreans were out for reconciliation, unity, cooperation and exchange.
    The tour of Mt. Kumgang started and has continued thanks to the north's compatriotic resolution and will for national reconciliation and unity. The fact that the number of tourists has reached a million signifies a victory of the patriotic forces for reunification over the traitorous forces for division both in name and reality and a proud fruition of the idea of "By our nation itself," a product of the above-mentioned era.
    The reality clearly proves that no one can quell the aspiration and will of all the fellow countrymen to achieve the peace of the country and its independent reunification by their concerted efforts.
    We will as ever reenergize the economic cooperation including the tour of Mt.

GNP's Greed for Power Blasted

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- The Netizens in south Korea strongly denounced the "Grand National Party" for its unlimited greed for power, according to the south Korean CBS. The spokesman of the GNP in a TV appearance on June 2 made remarks about the issue of the next presidential election in south Korea in which he disclosed its undisguised ambition to grab power. This has become the topic of discussion, touching off strong censure and criticism among the south Korean public. Posted on the major Internet sites in south Korea these days are tens of thousands of articles ridiculing and criticizing the GNP, something unprecedented. They charged: "The spokesman should be stripped of the membership of the National Assembly" and "We criticize the view of the privileged circle".

Urgent Appeal Released by International Human Rights Organizations

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- The International Association against Torture and the International League for Human Rights made public an urgent appeal on May 27 over the human rights issue in south Korea. The appeal expressed concern over the south Korean police's arrest and detention of individual figures, including their arrest of Kim Yong Gil, chairman of the "National Government Employees Union" last April and demanded their earliest possible release.
    It urged the south Korean authorities to protect their mental and physical health, guarantees the safety of all the human rights activists and put an end to all forms of persecution and ill-treatment of human rights activists including south Korean unionists and the measures to restrict the expression of their will and freedom of association.
    It also called on the international community to send letters of protest demanding the south Korean authorities implement the provisions of the UN declaration on guaranteeing the rights of the human rights activists and respect the World Declaration on Human Rights and the human rights and basic freedom enshrined in the international conventions on human rights to which south Korea acceded.

Indonesian Embassy Officials Help Farmers

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- Bambang Irawan K., charge d'affaires a.i., and officials of the Indonesian embassy in Pyongyang Tuesday helped the DPRK-Indonesia Friendship Yaksu Cooperative Farm in field work. After going round the room of the farm's history, they weeded maize fields and sang songs and conversed with farmers during the break, deepening friendly feelings.
    The charge d'affaires a.i. said the friendly and cooperative relations between Indonesia and the DPRK were growing stronger and wished the farmers bigger fruits in agricultural production.
    The embassy officials presented to the farm aid materials they had prepared with all sincerity.

Japanese Reactionaries' Loudmouthed "Threat from North Korea" under Fire

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Wednesday carries a signed article disclosing the deceptive nature of the Japanese reactionaries' loudmouthed "theory on threat from north Korea". A real threat is posed by Japan to the DPRK, the article says, and goes on:
    Japan, the assailant, is raising a hue and cry over "threat" from the DPRK, the victim. This reminds one of a thief crying "Stop the thief!"
    The real purpose sought by the Japanese reactionaries in trumpeting about the "threat" is to justify their arms buildup and moves for reinvasion and use it as a pretext and a justification for speeding up the nuclear weaponization.
    Japan has stockpiled plutonium enough to make at least 4,000 nukes. It, therefore, felt the need to paint itself as an "anti-nuke champion" in a bid to cover up its wild ambition for its nuclear weaponization. Its fiction about "threat from north Korea" is meant to serve this purpose.
    Another aim sought by the Japanese reactionaries in spreading the fiction is to fan up hostility towards the DPRK among the Japanese, provide a social environment for driving young Japanese to reinvasion of Korea and create an atmosphere favorable for Japan's emergence as a political power on the international arena.
    The "threat from north Korea" persistently peddled by the Japanese reactionaries, not away from their conception of antagonizing the DPRK, is also designed to conceal their wild ambition for reinvasion, play down its peace-loving efforts and damage its authority in a bid to make other people skeptical about it.
    They are keen to continue vociferating about the "threat from north Korea" as they do not wish to see it to disappear till their plan to stage a comeback to Korea has come true.
    Their much touted "threat from north Korea" will serve as a prelude to the Japanese militarists' reinvasion of Korea while their reinvasion of Korea will serve as a curtain raiser to their re-aggression of Asia. Japan's threat to the DPRK exactly means the former's threat to the rest of Asia.

All-people Anti-Japanese Campaign Declared

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- An anti-Japanese rally of civic, social, youth and student organizations took place in Seoul on June 4 on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the June 3 uprising, according to a media report. Speakers at the rally queried how can there be reconciliation with Japan which refuses an apology and compensation for its past crimes and does not reflect on history, persistently claiming that the settlement of the past was completed with the conclusion of the treacherous south Korea-Japan "agreement" on June 3, 1964.
    The resolution read out at the rally called for launching an all-people anti-Japanese campaign, succeeding to the spirit of independence against outside forces of the June 3 uprising, stating that the bitter rancor in failing to wrest apology and compensation from Japan is now turning into hostile feelings and resentment at the moves of the Japanese rightist forces to revive militarism.
    The resolution demanded Japan apologize for its "claim to Tok Islet" and distortion of history.
    After the rally the participants marched up to the Japanese embassy, chanting slogans condemning Japan's criminal acts, and handed a letter of protest to the embassy.

Successful Holding of Grand Festival for National Reunification Urged

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- A symposium on the theme "What is the problem in the plan for the deployment of patriot missiles on Munhak Hill?" was reportedly held in Inchon on June 2 under the sponsorship of the south Korean "All Citizens' Measure Committee for the Withdrawal of the Plan of Deployment of Patriot Missiles on Munhak Hill and Building of a Citizens' Park". Noting that the number of the missiles deployed for action in south Korea till now accounts for one-third the total possessed by the United States, the speakers viewed this as an indication of the conversion of south Korea into an outpost in the establishment of the U.S. missile defense system.
    They denounced the south Korean defense ministry for working out a plan to deploy 48 Patriot missiles at 12 spots including Munhak Hill and seeking to force it, seeing eye to eye with the U.S. in the war moves.
    Noting that the deployment of the missiles would get on the nerves of the north and touch off an arms race in Northeast Asia and, furthermore, lay a stumbling block to the peaceful reunification on the Korean Peninsula, they urged an immediate withdrawal of the plan.

Retraction of Missile Deployment Plan Urged

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- The June 15 era, the era of national independence and reunification, is an age of invincible vitality. The June 15 era of reunification is mighty because the fairness and attraction of the spirit of "By our nation itself", the main idea and the spirit of the times, are immense. Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in a signed article says this, and continues:
    "By our nation itself" is an invincible idea that is judicious and is of rare attraction. "By our nation itself" is the core of the June 15 joint declaration. It is the idea of national independence representing the idea that the Korean nation should solve the national issue, the issue of national reunification, by its own united efforts, as its master.
    "By our nation itself" is an ever-victorious banner making the Koreans a powerful and dignified nation capable of shaping its destiny by its own efforts in face of any test and challenge. The June 15 era of reunification is immediately the era of "By our nation itself" and the might of this era is immediately the might of "By our nation itself". In defending the idea of "By our nation itself" there lie the way of defending and developing the June 15 era of reunification and the bright prospect and independent reunification of the Korean nation.
    All the Koreans should firmly defend the idea of "By our nation itself," staking their destiny, and embody it more thoroughly in the movement for national reconciliation and reunification.
    No force on earth can stem the advance of the era of independence and reunification under the banner of "By our nation itself", the invincible idea.

Rodong Sinmun on Main Idea of June 15 Era

     Moscow, June 6 (KCNA) -- An agreement on cooperation between the DPRK Ministry of People's Security and the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation was signed in Moscow Monday. Present at the signing ceremony on the DPRK side were the members of the delegation of the DPRK Ministry of People's Security headed by Minister Ju Sang Song and DPRK Ambassador to Russia Pak Ui Chun and on the Russian side the members of the delegation of the Russian Ministry of Interior headed by Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev.
    The agreement was inked by the ministers of both sides.

Agreement on Cooperation Signed between DPRK and Russian Ministries

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave an answer to a question put by KCNA on June 8 as regards U.S. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld's very provocative remarks against the DPRK. He said:
    At the recent Asia Security Conference held in Singapore Rumsfeld malignantly slandered the DPRK, asserting its regime is keen on the arms buildup only and it is a miserable country. It blustered the U.S. would adopt a decision on the referral of the nuclear issue of north Korea to the UN in a few weeks.
    The U.S. is urging its dialogue partner to come out for the talks while seriously insulting and provoking it at a time when a DPRK-U.S. contact is underway in the direction of the resumption of the six-party talks. The remarks made by Rumsfeld against this backdrop can be uttered only by a stupid who does not know what is politics.
    These days U.S. neo-conservatives vied with each other in making nonsensical talks overnight. This only indicates that the U.S. administration is in the grip of serious confusion reminiscent of a household without its master.
    Rumsfeld reneged in a moment under the eyes of the world on what he had said in the capacity of the secretary of defense of the superpower. This clearly tells he is an imbecile quite ignorant of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiation.
    He seems to know nothing but a war. So, he'd better go to Iraq with a rifle in hand if he has nothing to do.
    As for the resumption of the six-party talks, it entirely depends on the U.S. response to the DPRK's call for creating conditions and an environment for their resumption.

Koguryo Mural Tomb Preservation Center under Construction

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- The Koguryo Mural Tomb Preservation Center is being constructed in Thongil Street on the bank of the scenic River Taedong flowing through Pyongyang, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The center, with a total floor space of over 7,500 square meters, is to make a comprehensive scientific research into the preservation and management of the cultural relics including temples and castles, natural monuments and scenic spots in the country with main emphasis on the Koguryo tombs with mural paintings.
    The center will also house exhibition halls showing heritages of national culture and lecture rooms.
    The tombs with mural paintings, built during Koguryo (277 B.C-668 A.D.), the first feudal state in Korea, are prominent in their architecture and paintings.
    Sixtythree Koguryo mural tombs including the Mausoleum of King Tongmyong in Pyongyang and mural tombs in Tokhung-ri and Yaksu-ri in Kangso County, South Phyongan Province, were registered in the list of the world cultural heritages at the 28th Conference of the World Heritage Committee under UNESCO.

Quality Asbestos-Slate Produced in DPRK

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- The quality asbestos-slate produced in the Korea Yongcho Building-Materials Joint-Venture Company in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is popular at home and abroad. It, furnished with latest machines and equipment, ensures the properly pulverized asbestos in the slate production. The compressing strength and tension of the asbestos slate are incomparably stronger than other slates'.
    The asbestos-slate is proof against water, heat and severe frost and Its compressing strength is 290 kilograms per square meter.
    resistant against shocking.
    According to experts, its over 30 rounds of test under the temperatures between 30 degrees C below and above zero show no physical change.
    The slate is made from "Kumgang"-branded cement, asbestos (A-5-65), glass fiber and wood pulp.

DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman Blasts Rumsfeld's Remarks

     Pyongyang, June 8 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave an answer to a question put by KCNA on June 8 as regards U.S. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld's very provocative remarks against the DPRK. He said:
    At the recent Asia Security Conference held in Singapore Rumsfeld malignantly slandered the DPRK, asserting its regime is keen on the arms buildup only and it is a miserable country. It blustered the U.S. would adopt a decision on the referral of the nuclear issue of north Korea to the UN in a few weeks.
    The U.S. is urging its dialogue partner to come out for the talks while seriously insulting and provoking it at a time when a DPRK-U.S. contact is underway in the direction of the resumption of the six-party talks. The remarks made by Rumsfeld against this backdrop can be uttered only by a stupid who does not know what is politics.
    These days U.S. neo-conservatives vied with each other in making nonsensical talks overnight. This only indicates that the U.S. administration is in the grip of serious confusion reminiscent of a household without its master.
    Rumsfeld reneged in a moment under the eyes of the world on what he had said in the capacity of the secretary of defense of the superpower. This clearly tells he is an imbecile quite ignorant of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiation.
    He seems to know nothing but a war. So, he'd better go to Iraq with a rifle in hand if he has nothing to do.
    As for the resumption of the six-party talks, it entirely depends on the U.S. response to the DPRK's call for creating conditions and an environment for their resumption.

For Spanish-speaking people

Rubricado convenio sobre cooperacion Corea-Rusia

     Moscu, 6 de junio (ATCC) -- Quedo firmado el dia 6 en esta capital un convenio sobre la cooperacion entre el Ministerio de Seguridad del Pueblo (MINSEP) de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y el Ministerio del Interior (MI) de la Federacion Rusa. En la ceremonia de firmas estuvieron presentes por la parte coreana los miembros de la delegacion del MINSEP presidida por su ministro Ju Sang Song y el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de Corea en Rusia Pak Ui Chun y por la rusa, los miembros de la delegacion del MI encabezada por su titular Rashid Nurgaliyev.
    Lo suscribieron los jefes de las dos delegaciones.

Rodong Sinmun censura "rumor de amenaza del Norte de Corea"

     Pyongyang, 8 de junio (ATCC) -- El diario Rodong Sinmun inserto en su edicion del dia 8 un articulo individual revelando la intencion de los reaccionarios japoneses que arman alboroto sobre la "amenaza del Norte de Corea. Realmente, Japon amenaza a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, senala el articulo y prosigue:
    La finalidad de tal alboroto de las fuerzas reaccionarias de Japon es para justificar su aumento armamentista y maniobras de nueva agresion, preparar un pretexto para consolidarlo mas y acelerar el armamento nuclear.
    Japon, poseedor de plutonio capaz de producir 4 mil armas nucleares, necesita describir a si mismo como "combatiente antinuclear". Por tal motivo salio con el "rumor de la amenaza nuclear" de la RPDC.
    Los reaccionarios japoneses, a traves de supuesta "amenaza", pretenden inculcar entre sus habitantes la enemistad a Corea y crear una atmosfera social para movilizarlos a la nueva agresion a este pais. En la palestra internacional tratan de preparar una circunstancia favorable para adquirir la posicion de potencia politica.
    Tambien con tal rumor intentan encubrir su ambicion de una nueva agresion y denigrar la autoridad y sinceros esfuerzos pacificos de la RPDC para que los terceros sospechen por el respecto.
    Si el "rumor de la amenaza del Norte de Corea" es un preludio de la nueva agresion a Corea, esta sera el inicio de la nueva invasion a Asia. La amenaza de Japon a Corea es precisamente la amenaza a este continente.