Natfl Reunification Prize Awarded to Persons of Service for Natfl Reunification

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea promulgated a decree on awarding the National Reunification Prize to persons of distinguished service for national reunification on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. According to the decree dated June 3, the prize went to 52 officials who performed distinguished exploits in carrying out the noble cause of national reunification, true to the idea of love for the country, the nation and the people set out by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il.
    Among the recipients of the prize are Kim Yong Sun, Kang Ung Jin, Son Song Phil, Ju Chang Jun, Ryo Won Gu, Song Ho Gyong, Nam Sung U, Ho Nam Gi, Yang In Won, Cha Sang Bo and Sok Myong Son.

Solidarity Meeting Held in Pakistan

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- A solidarity meeting took place in Lahore of Pakistan on June 8 on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. C. R. Aslam, president of the Pakistan Socialist Party, and other speakers recalled that President Kim Il Sung exerted all his efforts for the cause of national reunification, noting that the great exploits performed by him would be handed down to posterity.
    They pointed out that Kim Jong Il has conducted energetic activities to implement the President's plan for national reunification, thus arranging the historic North-South summit and publishing the north-south joint declaration in Pyongyang in June, 2000.
    As long as Kim Jong Il is held in high esteem as the supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, socialism in the DPRK will never collapse but make a triumphant advance and the reunification of Korea is bound to be achieved, they declared.
    A joint appeal was adopted at the meeting.
    Referring to the Bush administration's ever-escalating hostile policy toward the DPRK, the appeal called on the administration to withdraw all its destruction weapons including nukes from south Korea and replace without delay the Armistice Agreement by a peace agreement for the peace of the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the world and the world progressives to push ahead with a struggle for the sincere implementation of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.

National Seminar Marks Anniversary of Joint Declaration

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- A national seminar was held at the Grand People's Study House on June 13 to mark the fifth anniversary of the publication of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. Presented at the seminar were five papers explaining and proving at length the immortal exploits performed by leader Kim Jong Il in the efforts to accomplish the cause of national reunification, the validity and tremendous vitality of the joint declaration, principled requirements and ways for implementing the declaration.
    The floor was taken by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Choe Chil Nam, editor-in-chief of Rodong Sinmun, Thae Hyong Chol, president of the Academy of Social Sciences, and others under the titles of "The historic inter-Korean summit and June 15 North-South Joint Declaration are the great immortal feats performed by the great general in the cause for national reunification to be specially recorded in the national history", "The Songun politics pursued by the great general is a decisive guarantee for achieving the independent and peaceful reunification of the country and national prosperity by implementing the June 15 joint declaration", "The idea of 'By our nation itself' the great general set out in the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration serves as a powerful weapon for carving out the destiny of the nation in the new century and carrying out the cause of national reunification", etc.
    They noted that Kim Jong Il provided the Pyongyang meeting, which culminated in the publication of the joint declaration, at the historic turning point at which the old century was replaced by a new one, thereby opening up a landmark phase for accomplishing the cause of national reunification and that the Songun politics is the most effective one for defending peace under the present situation on the Korean Peninsula where the U.S. has become evermore undisguised in its moves for aggression and interference.
    Explaining the fact that the idea of "By our nation itself" is a lifeline for achieving national reunification and carving out the destiny of the nation as it is supported by all the Koreans and makes it possible to strengthen the driving force of the nation in every way and thus accelerate the triumphant advance of the cause of national independence and reunification, they stressed that the cause of national reunification calls for holding higher the slogan of the Korean nation-first spirit on a national scale.
    The idea of realizing the three forms of cooperation for national independence, for peace against war and for reunification and patriotism means a most scientific and just proposal as it clearly indicates the content, orientation and goal of the national cooperation, they said, calling for glorifying this significant year as a proud year of bringing about a radical turn in the stand-off with the U.S. and outside forces and the movement for independent reunification.

German Diplomats Help Korean Farmers

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Charge d'Affaires a.i. Klaus Wendelberger and staff members of the German embassy here helped the Ryang Se Sik-led farm in the farm work on June 13. German guests were briefed on the monument to the field guidance given by leader Kim Jong Il before helping farmers in weeding paddy fields.
    During break they conversed with officials of the farm, deepening the friendship.
    Referring to the fact that the DPRK is focusing all its efforts on the farming this year, Klaus wished the farm greater success in its agricultural production.

Period of Joint Struggle for Peace against War Declared in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- A meeting was reportedly held in the plaza of Dongguk University in Seoul on June 11 to declare a period of joint struggle of the Koreans in the north, the south and overseas for peace against war and for the withdrawal of the U.S. forces. Present at the meeting were members of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon), the Association for Support to Prisoners of Conscience of the Family Movement for Realizing Democracy, the National Federation of Peasants Associations, the National Federation of the Poor, the South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification, the south Korean Council of Youth Organizations, the south Korean Federation of University Student Councils, the Society of April Revolution and the Reunification Square.
    Speakers including Ri Kyu Jae, chairman of the South Headquarters of Pomminryon, called on all the people to wage a staunch struggle in the nation's march today when the Koreans in the north, the south and overseas from all walks of life are declaring a joint struggle, pooling their will to force the U.S. troops to pull out, stressing that the struggle against the U.S. should be waged from the stand of national cooperation and that for peaceful reunification also be waged from this stand.
    Saying that U.S. troop pullout is a matter that must never be ignored, they called for driving the U.S. forces out of this land with the united efforts of the nation as laid down in the June 15 joint declaration.
    A declaration of struggle was read out before an action program for the period of joint struggle was made public at the meeting.

Spirit of National Independence Is Core of June 15 Joint Declaration

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- A forum was co-sponsored by the Headquarters of the Movement for the Reunified Nation and the Council of South-North Non-Governmental Economic Exchange in Seoul on June 9 on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration. The speakers at the forum stressed that the core of the June 15 joint declaration is the spirit of national independence and national cooperation should be strengthened for its implementation.
    The greatest success over the last 5 years since the publication of the declaration is that the consciousness of national independence has grown among the south Koreans and this has led to the deepened understanding of the necessity of an independent diplomacy and, specially, the need to fundamentally reshape the subordinate south Korea-U.S. relations, they said.
    They accused the present "government" of spoiling the spirit of the joint declaration, delaying a solution to the nuclear issue and retarding South-North economic cooperation including the building of the Kaesong industrial zone by aligning itself with the Bush administration in the policy to isolate and stifle the north.
    They noted that the amplified subordinate south Korea-U.S. "alliance" and "cooperation" have been the main factor of obstruction to the implementation of the joint declaration and the development of the inter-Korean relations.

U.S.-Japan MD under Fire

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The United States and Japan are hastening in real earnest the development of the missile defense system (MD) under the pretext of "ballistic missile threat" from the DPRK. Commenting on this, a Minju Joson analyst Tuesday says:
    The U.S. and Japan are reported to have agreed upon staging the first joint test of Aegis-based interceptor missiles for naval deployment ("Standard" SM-3) in the waters off Hawaii in March next year. This indicates that the joint technical researches for missile defense promoted by the U.S. and Japan have made a considerable progress to reach the last stage and its grave adverse effect has begun to be felt in the overall situation of the East Asian region with realistic meaning.
    The U.S. and Japan are tenaciously setting afloat rumors about "north Korean ballistic missile threat" while making quite a noise over "securing a powerful means to counter it." It is not difficult to see through what they seek. Their ultimate goal is, first of all, to isolate and stifle the DPRK by neutralizing its self-defensive capabilities and gain predominance in strategic offensive weapons by destroying the barely maintained strategic balance in East Asia and eventually grab military supremacy in this region. The DPRK can never tolerate the scheme of the U.S. and Japan to neutralize the self-defensive capabilities of the DPRK, seriously threatening its security, in cahoots with each other, and stage another tragedy of Cold War in East Asia.
    The DPRK will tirelessly increase its war deterrent to defend its security and East Asian peace.

Japan's Ambition for Nuclear Weaponization under Fire

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary urges Japan to give up its ambition to go nuclear as it was the only country in the world that fell victim to the use of nukes. It goes on:
    Recently the supreme court of Japan made a decision allowing the restart of the fast-breeder reactor (FBR) "Monju". This is a very serious and dangerous development as it is part of Japan's moves to step up its nuclear weaponization in real earnest.
    Japan's plutonium reprocessing is closely linked with its ambition to go nuclear, an oft-repeated call made by its militarist forces in recent years.
    This is a blatant challenge to the nuclear non-proliferation regime.
    What is serious is that the U.S. styling itself a "fair judge of nuclear non-proliferation" keeps mum about Japan's ambition for nuclear weaponization.
    As disclosed recently, the U.S. has a "conception" of allowing only Japan and four other non-nuclear states to enrich uranium for the production of nuclear fuel and permitting only Japan to extract plutonium from the spent nuclear fuel.
    The U.S. is faulting the measure taken by the DPRK to bolster its nuclear deterrent for just self-defence and seeking to disarm it, while supporting and encouraging its allied forces in nuclear weaponization. This is a clear proof of the application of its unfair double standards in dealing with the nuclear issue and its ambition to stifle the DPRK. It is preposterous and ridiculous, indeed, for Japan to talk about the "nuclear threat" from someone although it is beset with such a serious nuclear problem.

Renewed Candlelight Action against U.S. Urged in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- A candlelight memorial service was reportedly held in Seoul on June 12 under the sponsorship of the Preparatory Committee for Commemorating the Anniversary of the June 13 Candlelight Demonstration for Independence and Peace to honor Sin Hyo Sun and Sim Mi Son in south Korea. Chon Yong Se, an assemblyman from the Democratic Workers' Party, said in a memorial address that dark clouds of war are hanging over the Korean Peninsula due to the United States and called for holding again the candlelight once raised to mourn the death of Hyo Sun and Mi Son, the candlelight for peace against war.
    Speakers including Kim Chong Il, who was co-executive chairman of the All-People Measure Committee on the Death of Middle School Girls, recalled the tragic death of Kim Myong Ja in her fifties who was hit by a U.S. military car in Tongduchon some time ago. They said the second murder case of Hyo Sun and Mi Son and the second murder case of Kim Myong Ja would occur unless there is a fundamental change in the unequal relations of "alliance" between south Korea and the U.S.
    They called for thwarting at any cost the U.S. war moves on the Korean Peninsula, holding the candlelight of all-people anti-U.S. struggle by pooling the strength of the nation.
    A stage performance was given, which was followed by a ceremony of burning the Stars and Stripes with candlelight.
    At the end of the function, the participants marched up to the U.S. embassy.

All Koreans Called upon to Remain True to Inter-Korean Declaration

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration the Koreans are showing stronger patriotic will to build a reunified, great prosperous and powerful nation in this land under the banner of the idea of "By our nation itself" and demonstrate the dignity and honor of the nation. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a by-lined article devoted to the day.
    It goes on: The joint declaration is one for independent reunification common to the Korean nation, both in name and reality, as it indicates the way of achieving independent reunification by reflecting the fellow countrymen's demand and desire for national independence and their wishes and will for independent reunification.
    The declaration plays such a role because it expounds the basic principles of the movement for national reunification.
    The Koreans' efforts for the reunification of the country are intended to establish national sovereignty throughout Korea, achieve the prosperous development of the country and exalt the dignity of the nation.
    The more desperately the outsiders work to block the Koreans' struggle for independent reunification, the more firmly they should uphold the principle of national independence laid down in the declaration. This alone can steadily advance the reunification movement along the orbit of victory.
    The declaration also clarifies the idea of "By our nation itself", significantly reinforcing the nation's will for independence.
    The consciousness of independence serves as an ideological force that makes a nation stronger and it is connected with its dignity.
    National independence means strength and an engine capable of shattering the outsiders' anti-reunification moves and revitalizing the cause of reunification.
    The June 15 joint declaration made the strong trend of independence prevail throughout Korea by clarifying "By our nation itself" as the common idea for the first time in the history of the movement for national reunification.
    The joint declaration paved a wide avenue for reunifying the country independently by believing in the strength of the nation and relying on it because it fully reflects the unshakable faith and will of our fellow countrymen to achieve independent reunification without fail in the spirit of national independence.

Criminals of U.S. Forces Tell Lies

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Criminals of the U.S. forces who killed south Korean woman Kim Myong Ja in her fifties by running a truck over her to death in Tongduchon, Kyonggi Province on June 10 were so brazen-faced as to tell sheer lies to cover up their crimes, according to the south Korean CBS. Kim Hye Gyong, representative of the Democratic Workers' Party, and members of civic organizations visited Yangju Police Office where the criminals were under investigation. After learning about the investigation, they asserted that the results of the intermediate investigation released on the day the incident took place remain problematic.
    The results contained the statements made by the driver who is a private belonging to the MP corps of the 8th U.S. army and the other criminal who was beside him that they have neither seen that woman nor felt their truck hitting her, they noted, adding what they said is quite different from the fact.
    This brazen-faced behavior of the U.S. military criminals is greatly infuriating the south Koreans as they did not bother to tell lies to evade their responsibility for having killed the woman in broad daylight, far from feeling guilty conscience.

KCNA on Japan's Foolish Attempt at "Regional Sanctions" against DPRK

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- There is a growing tendency in Japan to intensify economic sanctions against the DPRK. "Measures to Tighten Control over Export at Home and Abroad" released under the pretext of preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles in Asia can be viewed as part of the moves to escalate the sanctions.
    At the Fourth Asia Security Conference in Singapore the Japan Defence Agency chief underlined the need of sanctions, saying that the DPRK's withdrawal from the NPT, its access to nukes and the development and deployment of missiles and their spread constitute factors of instability in the region and that of the international community.
    This once again betrays the Japanese reactionaries' strategic attempt at "economic sanctions" against the DPRK whose aim is to isolate and strangle it.
    Japan adopted the "law on economic sanctions against north Korea" and "law on the special measure to ban portcalls of specified ships" and retrogressively revised "law on foreign currency", thus adopting the economic sanctions against the DPRK as its state policy. It even asserted the need to apply sanctions against the DPRK even single-handedly to cope with the "threat" from it.
    It has favored the U.S. and other Western countries' steps for sanctions under the pretext of "international cooperation". Tokyo is now wooing Asian countries to get involved in the issue of the DPRK-Japan relations of confrontation in a bid to expand and tighten economic sanctions against the DPRK.
    The reality goes to prove that Japan has become evermore undisguised and entered a reckless phase in its hostile policy toward the DPRK.
    The "regional economic sanctions" are a wanton violation of the UN Charter and a serious infringement upon the sovereignty of the DPRK.
    The charter does not allow sanctions and blockade against other countries in any case. Japan should therefore refrain from deliberately posing any threat and laying any obstacle to the DPRK's economic activities, to say nothing of imposing economic pressure and blockade upon it.
    The DPRK's nukes and missiles are not meant to threaten others but to defend itself, to all intents and purposes. The "nuclear and missile threats" from the DPRK are nothing but sheer sophism made by the U.S. and its leverage for pressurizing Pyongyang.
    Japan must be aware of this. However, it seeks a sinister aim through its moves to tighten the economic sanctions against the DPRK under the pretext of "nuclear and missile threats" from it. It is keen to go nuclear by joining the U.S. in its moves to stifle the DPRK and strain the regional situation in a bid to create an atmosphere favorable for staging a comeback to Korea.
    Japan would be well advised to stop going reckless.
    Its moves to escalate the tensions under the pretext of "threat" from the DPRK would only invite stronger rebuff at the debate on the regional issues.
    The Japanese reactionaries would be gravely mistaken if they think their sanctions could frighten the DPRK or bring it to its knees.

RS. Hails Grand Festival for National Reunification

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang from Tuesday is a scene of a wide range of events including a grand national march for independence, peace and reunification, the opening ceremony of the grand festival for national reunification, an evening gala and a rally for national reunification marking the 5th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration bringing together representatives of all social strata in the north and from the south and overseas. Rodong Sinmun in an article today says that the June 15 festival will be a major occasion for proudly reviewing the reunification movement over the last 5 years and powerfully encouraging the Korean nation to lift to a new, higher stage the movement for national reconciliation, unity and independent reunification under the banner of the June 15 joint declaration and in conformity with the idea of "By our nation itself".
    It goes on:
    The 5 years following the publication of the June 15 joint declaration have been stirring days in which inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation and independent reunification have been the main trend.
    There have been turns and twists, but a new phase quite unimaginable in the past has opened in the relations between the north and the south and spectacular successes have been achieved in the reunification movement. All these are brilliant victory and fruition of the June 15 joint declaration with "By our nation itself" as its core.
    The significance and mission of the current festival lie in confirming and embodying "By our nation itself", the all-conquering weapon of the Korean nation. It will be a highly important festival demonstrating the unshakable will of the Korean nation to push forward still further the era of independent reunification, holding as high as ever the idea of "By our nation itself".

S. Korean Authorities Delegation Here

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the south side's authorities led by Minister of Unification Jong Tong Yong arrived here Tuesday to attend the grand festival for national reunification to be held in commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration. The delegation was greeted at the airport with compatriotic feelings by Kwon Ho Ung, head of the north side delegation to the North-South Ministerial Talks, Choe Yong Gon, north side's chairman of the North-South Committee for the Promotion of Economic Cooperation, Ri Jong Hyok, vice-chairman of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, and officials concerned.

S. Korean Delegations Here

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the south side headed by Paek Rak Chong, chairman of the south side's preparatory committee for joint functions of Koreans in the north and the south and overseas to implement the June 15 joint declaration, arrived here Tuesday to participate in the grand festival for national reunification to mark the 5th anniversary of the joint declaration. It was greeted at the airport with compatriotic feelings by Chairman An Kyong Ho and vice-chairmen of the north side's preparatory committee for joint functions and other officials concerned.
    Paek Rak Chong issued a statement upon the arrival of the delegation at the airport.
    He said that the soon-to-be-held festival will be a meeting to reconfirm the spirit of the June 15 declaration and demonstrate to the world the united will of the fellow countrymen to preserve peace. And he expressed the determination to make maximum efforts to make the festival an occasion to harden the will of the Korean nation for peace.

Hailstone Falls in DPRK

     Pyongyang, June 14, (KCNA) -- It hailed untimely in South Hamgyong Province in the northeastern part of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Between around 20:30 and around 21:00 on the 10th of June and between around 18:30 and around 19:30 on the next day heavy showers with hailstones fell once or twice in the overall inner highland of the province under the influence of the low atmospheric pressure traveling from the northeastern area of China.
    According to the observation made by relevant weather stations the hailstones fell in Sinhung and Hongwon areas were as big as 25-30mm in diameter and those in Jangjin, Pujon, Hamhung and Jongphyong 5~10mm in diameter.

New Stamps Issued in DPRK

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The Korea Stamp Corporation has recently issued new stamps (a souvenir sheet and a sheetlet) reflecting relics of Koguryo. Printed on the upper parts of the stamps are words "Relics of Koguryo" and "277 B.C.-668 A. D."
    The souvenir sheet features the monument to the mausoleum of King Kwanggaetho (374-412), epitaph on his merits, a distant view of the monument and part of the then mountain wall.
    The face value of the stamp is 97 won.
    The sheetlet consists of 4 kinds of stamps. The stamps reflect the stone tomb of a general at the beginning of Koguryo, mural paintings showing Koguryo people's habit of giving importance to military affairs, a castle on Mt. Songsan showing the intelligence of the ancestors and arrows with galvanized barbs used at that time. And they are flanked by pipha-shape daggers, pots, a bowl, a mirror and others which are typical of the then remains.
    The face values of the stamps are 3, 70, 100 and 130 won respectively.

Collectivism Displayed in DPRK

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The agricultural working people and helpers of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have wound up rice transplantation successfully on the main across the country by giving full play to collectivism. Lots of laudable collectivist deeds have been done in the socialist co-op fields under the slogan of "One for all and all for one!"
    The slogan was set forth by President Kim Il Sung after the socialist system was established in the DPRK with the successful completion of the socialist transformation of the old production relations.
    On June 1, farmers of the Migok Co-op Farm in Sariwon City, North Hwanghae Province, who had finished rice-transplantation, helped those of a neighbouring farm in their work without any rest.
    This collectivist spirit displayed in the Songun era has been spreading throughout co-op farms of the country including the Oguk Co-op Farm in Anak County, South Hwanghae Province, arousing agricultural working people in the efforts for a new upswing in production.
    It has been responded by all the people of the country.
    Kim Hyok Jin, vice-minister of Agriculture, told KCNA that the beautiful deeds done by agricultural working people demonstrated once again the true feature of the Korean society in which the the leader, Party and masses are united in one mind.
    It is certain to win a victory in the agricultural sector when the advantage of the socialist collective economy is given to full play, he stressed.
    The chief secretary of the Sinchon County, South Hwanghae Province, Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, said that the secret of the successful conclusion of the rice-transplantation in the most proper time is a demonstration of the advantage of the collective economy.
    The members of the Migok Co-op Farm are resolved to counter the intensified moves of the U.S. imperialists to isolate and stifle the DPRK with the collectivist spirit and thus to adorn this significant year with a shining victory.
    The trait of collectivism has been brought into fuller play in the Songun era under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.

Opening of Grand Festival for National Reunification Held

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The grand festival for national reunification marking the fifth anniversary of the historic June 15 joint declaration was opened at the Kim Il Sung Stadium here with splendor Tuesday evening. Present at the opening ceremony were representatives of the Workers' Party of Korea and other political parties including Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party, Ryu Mi Yong, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Korean Chondoist Chongu Party, who are honorary chairpersons of the north side's preparatory committee for joint functions of Koreans in the north, the south and overseas to implement the June 15 joint declaration, and those of the Central Committee of the Democratic Front representatives of the Uri Party, the "Grand National Party", the Democratic Workers' Party, the Democratic Party and other political parties and pro-reunification organizations including the Reunification Solidarity for the Implementation of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration and Peace on the Korean Peninsula, the All-People Council for National Reconciliation and Cooperation, the Headquarters of the Movement for Reunified Korean Nation, representatives of peace movement organizations and representatives of various circles, different fields and regions of south Korea.
    Present from the overseas side were Kwak Tong Ui and Mun Tong Hwan, co-chairmen of the overseas side's preparatory committee for joint functions of Koreans in the north, the south and overseas to implement the June 15 joint declaration and representatives of pro-reunification organizations, peace movement organizations and Koreans organizations for national rights and other Koreans bodies representing different fields in various countries and regions including China, Russia, Japan, the United States, Europe, Canada and Oceania.
    The opening ceremony was attended by the delegations of the north and south authorities respectively headed by Kim Ki Nam, vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, and Jong Tong Yong, minister of Unification, and personages at home and abroad who have contributed to the sacred cause of national reunification and the work to implement the June 15 joint declaration, for the first time in the history of the national division.
    More than 50,000 working people and youth and students in Pyongyang warmly welcomed representatives of the north, south and overseas sides, chanting "By Our Nation Itself" and "National Reunification" and other slogans.
    As female representatives of the three sides entered the stadium carrying a huge Korean Peninsula flag, the flag of the festival, with them and hoisted it amid the playing of the song "Song of Great National Unity," balloons soared into the sky over the stadium and pigeons flew high and fireworks were displayed, beautifully decorating the nocturnal sky over the city.
    When An Kyong Ho, chairman of the north side's preparatory committee for joint functions of Koreans in the north, the south and overseas to implement the June 15 joint declaration, declared the festival open, a huge balloon from which was suspending a streamer reading "Grand June 15 Festival for Reunification" soared into the sky from the centre of the field of the stadium amid the sound of a bell heralding the opening of the festival.
    Paek Rak Chong in his speech said that the grand festival for the national reunification is a grand festival of the nation which epitomizes the successes made in the last period in the spirit of the joint declaration and an assembly for the great national unity that demonstrates to the whole world the nation's aspiration after peace and its will for reunification.
    ĦĦUnderscoring the need to let the world know that neither obstacle nor military threat could stop the Korean people's advance to achieve peace and reunification, he called for making this year, 60 years since the division of Korea, a year of bringing about a turning phase of peace and reunification.
    Kim Su Sik, vice-chairman of the overseas side's preparatory committee, said in his speech:
    It is the lesson taught by the last five years since the publication of the joint declaration that without the struggle against the anti-reunification forces, it is impossible to implement the June 15 joint declaration. All the Koreans will surely punish the United States and the anti-reunification forces serving their master with the might of the strong unity under the banner of national independence, peace against war and reunification and patriotism.
    Yang Hyong Sop in a congratulatory speech said that the grand festival is the biggest-ever national assembly since the division of the country because broad strata of personages and compatriots representing different circles in the north, the south and overseas have gathered there to share the will for reunification and patriotism.
    The Korean nation succeeded in finding out its way out at the historic turning point where a new millennium had begun, he said, adding that the June 15 joint declaration warmed the relations between the north and the south which had long kept away from each other and put the inter-Korean relations characterized by antagonism and confrontation on the orbit of reconciliation, cooperation and reunification.
    He expressed the belief that the festival would achieve shining success and thus bring greater hope to all the fellow countrymen aspiring after national reunification and decorate this significant year as a year of opening a new phase in the movement for independent reunification.
    Rev. Popjang, honorary representative of the south side's preparatory committee in his speech said that the spirit of reconciliation enshrined in the joint declaration has served as a cornerstone of confidence and unity.
    But for the June 15 joint declaration, it would have been quite impossible for Koreans in the south, the north and overseas and representatives of the south and north authorities to have such a grand assembly as today.

Hyundai Asan Delegation Here

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- A delegation of Hyundai Asan led by Hyon Jong Un, chairperson of Hyundai Group of south Korea, arrived here today to participate in the grand festival for national reunification to mark the 5th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration. It was met at the airport by Ri Jong Hyok, vice-chairman of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee.

Grand March of Koreans Staged

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- A grand national march for paving the way for independence, peace and reunification was staged by representatives of Koreans in the north and the south and abroad here Tuesday as part of the celebrations of the fifth anniversary of the publication of the historic June 15 joint declaration. A large number of working people and school youth and children turned out with Korean Peninsula flags and bouquets in their hands to the streets from the boulevard in front of the Chollima Statue where the march was expected to start to the Kim Il Sung Stadium, the venue of the opening ceremony of the festival, to warmly welcome them.
    Ryom Sun Gil , vice-chairman of the north side's preparatory committee of the Preparatory Committee for Joint Functions of Koreans in the North, South and Abroad to Implement the June 15 Joint Declaration, addressing the ceremony of starting the march, said that today's grand march represents the majestic appearance of the Korean nation marching toward reunification.
    Slogans for reunification shouted by the representatives will reverberate throughout Korea and reach wherever Koreans live, he added.
    Led by an open limousine carrying the representatives of the three sides `holding the flag of the march the ranks of marchers threaded their way through the streets with the large Korean Peninsula flag in the van amid the warm welcome of Pyongyangites. They were seen holding placards reading "Let us achieve the national unity under the banner of the June 15 joint declaration!" and waving Korean Peninsula flags.
    Women's brass band played music on reunification theme such as "We are one" and dancers presented pleasant peasant dances.
    People warmly welcomed the representatives of Koreans in the north, the south and overseas, waving those flags and bouquets and chanting slogans such as "National reunification" and "national independence."

Senegalese Government Delegation Wraps up Korea Visit

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The government delegation of Senegal headed by Assane Diagne, minister of Urbanization and Territorial Management, left here for home today after winding up its four-day visit to the DPRK. It was seen off at the airport by Kung Sok Ung, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ju Su Yong, director of the Mansudae Art Studio.
    During its stay the delegation visited Mangyongdae, the Monument to the Three Charters for National Reunification, the Tower of the Juche Idea, the Arch of Triumph, the Monument to Party Founding, the Mansudae Art Studio and others.

Evening Gala of Youth and Students in Pyongyang Held

     Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Youth and students in Pyongyang held an evening gala at the Kim Il Sung Stadium Tuesday evening to hail the opening of the grand festival for national reunification marking the fifth anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration. Dancers danced to the tune of the song "Pyongyang Is Best" and a brass band played songs on the theme of reunification including "We Are One", making the letters "June 15."
    While the song "Mt. Paektu and Mt. Halla Mean My Motherland" was resounding forth, dancers presented a huge Korean Peninsula map on the floor of the stadium, balloons flew up, beautifully decorating the stadium.
    Youth and students presented dynamic and graceful dances to the tune of "Glad to See You" and other songs representing their optimism and desire to live as the first generation of a reunified country.
    Representatives of the north, the south and overseas sides joined the young people in dancing.
    They danced to the tune of "Rainbow for National Reunification", "Reunification Train Runs" and "We Are One" and other songs with the ardent desire to advance hand in hand for national reunification.
    Fireworks burst forth in succession to decorate the night sky of Pyongyang beautifully. The participants and the representatives enjoyed the meaningful first evening of the festival that opened in Pyongyang, sharing compatriotic feelings and renewing their patriotic will to achieve reunification.
    The evening gala was appreciated by representatives of all circles in the north, the south and abroad, working people, youth and students in the city who participated in the opening ceremony of the grand festival for national reunification to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration.

For Spanish-speaking people

Necio intento de Japon de aplicar a RPDC "sancion economica regional" -Comentario de ATCC-

     Pyongyang, 14 de junio (ATCC) -- En estos dias se hace mas palpable en Japon el clima a favor de recrudecer la sancion economica a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea. En ese contexto, bajo el pretexto de prevenir la proliferacion de armas de destruccion masiva y misiles en la region asiatica, fueron trazadas y emitidas las "medidas para intensificar el control sobre la exportacion al extranjero".
    En tanto, en la cuarta conferencia para la seguridad de Asia, sesionada en Singapur, el director general de la Agencia de Defensa de Japon abogo por la necesidad de la "sancion" a la RPDC aduciendo que la retirada del Tratado de No Proliferacion, la posesion de armas nucleares, el desarrollo, emplazamiento y proliferacion de misiles por esta "representan factores inestables para la region y la sociedad internacional".
    Ambos hechos vuelven a poner a flote el intento estrategico de los reaccionarios nipones de "aislar" y "asfixiar" a la RPDC con la "sancion economica".
    Con anterioridad, al aprobar la "ley de sancion economica contra la RPDC" y la "ley de medidas especiales para prohibir la entrada de embarcaciones determinadas en puertos japoneses" y enmendar la "ley de canje de divisas", este pais-isla concreto en una politica estatal la sancion economica en contra de aquella. Ademas, insistio en activarla aunque por solitario para eliminar la "amenaza del Norte de Corea".
    De otro lado, bajo el cartel de la "cooperacion internacional" coordino sus pasos con las medidas de "sancion" de los paises occidentales, inclusive EE.UU.
    Como si todo esto fuera poco, pretende involucrar a otros paises asiaticos en el marco de las relaciones de confrontacion entre la RPDC y Japon a fin de ampliar y "profundizar" la "sancion economica" contra la primera.
    La realidad comprueba que entran en la etapa mas abierta y frenetica las maniobras hostiles de Japon a la RPDC.
    La "sancion economica regional" constituye flagrante violacion de la Carta de la ONU y grave atentado a la soberania.
    La Carta de la ONU no permite en ningun caso la sancion y el bloqueo a otros paises. Por lo tanto, el pais-isla no debe crear amenazas y obstaculos artificiales para las actividades economicas de la RPDC, para no hablar de la presion economica y medidas del bloqueo.
    Las armas nucleares y misiles de la RPDC serviran exclusivamente para la autodefensa no para amenazar a otros paises.
    La "amenaza de armas nucleares y misiles" por la RPDC es un sofisma inventado por EE.UU. para emplearlo como una palanca de presion a esta.
    Aunque Japon esta bien consciente de ello, anda pregonandolo para dar otro giro a la tuerca de la sancion a la RPDC. Es que esto le facilitara llevar a la realidad su intento de pertrecharse con armas nucleares en adhesion a las maniobras gringas de hostigamiento a la RPDC y agravar la situacion regional para dar un clima favorable a retomar el camino de agresion.
    Japon debe actuar con prudencia.
    Por mucho que Japon agrave la situacion acusando a la RPDC, el unico resultado de ello sera la exclusion de si mismo en el debate de problemas regionales.
    Estarian muy equivocados los reaccionarios japoneses si piensan que con esa sancioncita puedan asustar o "poner de rodillas" a la RPDC.

Rodong Sinmun revela ambicion de armamento nuclear de Japon

     Pyongyang, 14 de junio (ATCC) -- El diario Rodong Sinmun inserto en su edicion del dia 14 un comentario individual senalando que Japon debe abandonar su ambicion de armamento nuclear como unica victima de bombas atomicas en el mundo. Hace poco, el tribunal supremo de Japon permitio la reanudacion de la operacion de reactor regenerador de alta velocidad "Monju", lo que se pone al relieve la peligrosidad de armamento nuclear del Japon, senala el comentario y prosigue:
    El reprocesamiento de plutonio tiene que ver intimamente con la ambicion de armamento nuclear de que en los ultimos anos hablan a frecuencia las fuerzas militares de Japon, lo cual deviene un grave desafio al Tratado de No Proliferacion (TNP).
    Lo problematico es que EE.UU., que se autodenomina de "imparcial juez de TNP", tolera tal ambicion del pais isleno. Recientemente, el Tio Sam limito a cinco paises desnuclearizados incluido Japon la autoridad de enriquecer el plutonio, combustible nuclear y "planea" permitir solo a este pais-isla la extraccion de plutonio en el combustible nuclear usado.
    La superpotencia ampara, tolera y coopera el armamento nuclear de sus fuerzas aliadas, pero cuestiona la justa medida de fortalecimiento de la fuerza de detencion nuclear de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea para la autodefensa y persigue desarmarla, lo que revela su injusta politica de pauta de doble rasero en materia del problema nuclear y su ambicion de aplastamiento a la RPDC. Es absurdo el que Japon, que tiene el agudo problema nuclear, habla de la "amenaza nuclear" de la RPDC.

Emitidos nuevos sellos en Corea

     Pyongyang, 14 de junio (ATCC) -- Recientemente, la Editora de Sellos de Corea emitio nuevos sellos referentes a las ruinas y vestigios de la epoca de Coguryo. En el borde superior de ambos sellos (uno en papel enterizo de pequeno tamano y el otro tambien en papel enterizo de 4 sellos) se notan las inscripciones de "Ruinas y vestigios de Coguryo" y "Ano 277 a.n.e. - Ano 668 n.e.".
    En el primero figura un sello alusivo a la tumba del rey Kwanggaetho (374-412) y se ven el epitafio de alabanza a los meritos de este, el monumento en su estado original erigido al pie de la tumba y una ciudadela de aquel periodo.
    Su valor nominal es de 97 wones.
    En el segundo estan dibujados una tumba apilada Janggun (general) hecha a principios de Coguryo, una pintura mural hallada en una tumba que refleja el temperamento de los moradores de este Estado feudal quienes daban preferencia a los quehaceres militares, el castillo del monte Songsan que muestra excepcional inteligencia de los antepasados y casquillos de flecha galvanizados de aquel entonces.
    En sus ambos lados aparecen vestigios representativos, entre otros, un punal en forma de Pipha (un instrumento musical), jarro, vasija, espejo, etc.
    Estos cuatro sellos cuestan 3, 70, 100 y 130 wones, respectivamente.