Kim Jong Il Receives Special Envoy of S. Korean President

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il today received Jong Tong Yong, minister of Unification of south Korea, who visited him as a special envoy of President Roh Moo Hyun. Jong is leading the delegation of the south side's authorities to the grand festival for national reunification marking the 5th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration. On hand was Rim Tong Ok, first vice department director of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea. On the occasion the special envoy courteously conveyed the personal verbal message of Roh Moo Hyun to Kim Jong Il.
    Kim Jong Il expressed thanks for it and asked Jong to convey his regards to Roh Moo Hyun and former President Kim Dae Jung.
    Then he had a cordial talk with the envoy.

Kim Jong Il Receives Figures Related to N.-S. Summit and widow of Rev. Mun Ik Hwan

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il Friday received Rim Tong Won, former director of the National Intelligence Service, Pak Jae Gyu, former minister of Unification, Choe Hak Rae, former manager of the newspaper Hangyore, Kim Po Hyon, former vice-director of the National Intelligence Service, Kang Man Gil, former president of Sangji University, and Kim Min Ha, former chief vice-chairman of the Advisory Council on Peaceful Unification Policy, who are related to the historic north-south summit, and Pak Yong Gil, widow of Rev. Mun Ik Hwan. On hand was Rim Tong Ok, first vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. Kim Jong Il had a warm conversation with them, looking back upon the historic days five years ago when the landmark for reunification common to the nation was provided. On the same day he hosted a luncheon for the special envoy of President Roh Moo Hyun and his party, those related to the summit and the widow of Rev. Mun Ik Hwan. The luncheon proceeded in an amicable atmosphere overflowing with compatriotic feelings.

Grand Festival for National Reunification Closes

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The grand festival for national reunification marking the fifth anniversary of the historic June 15 joint declaration opened here on June 14 with splendor closed on June 16. The festival reinforced the conviction that the Korean nation with a five thousand-year long history and brilliant culture can no longer live separated and there is a bright prospect of national reunification only when the Koreans uphold and implement the noble idea of "By our nation itself".
    A closing ceremony took place at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium on the bank of the River Pothong.
    Present there were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, delegations of authorities of the north and the south respectively led by Kim Ki Nam, vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, and Jong Tong Yong, minister of Unification of south Korea, delegations and representatives of the north, south and overseas sides and the delegation of Hyundai Asan that participated in the festival.
    Ri Yong Duk, co-representative of the labour headquarters of the south side's preparatory committee, said in a speech that through the grand festival for national reunification the south and the north took a giant stride forward in strengthening the June 15 joint committee, adding it would lead to a grand march of the 70 million Koreans for peace on the Korean peninsula and the great unity of the nation.
    Yang Yong Dong, honorary chairman of the overseas side's preparatory committee, in his speech called for making the desire of the nation for reunification that surged high with the festival as a momentum result in the grand chorus of the 70 million Koreans, adding this would lead to patriotism and national prosperity.
    Kang Chang Uk, vice-chairman of the north side's preparatory committee, in a speech said: We will consolidate the success of the festival to strenuously conduct the movement for reunification till November on which will fall the centenary of the fabrication of the "Ulsa Five-point Treaty" to glorify this year which marks the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the country as a meaningful year of a turning point in the movement for national reunification.
    The festival is going to close, but the ardent desire of all of us present for reunification and patriotism will always remain strong, he noted, calling for making a more dynamic advance towards reunification, not forgetting the warm kindred feelings they shared during the festival.
    Paek Rak Chong, chairman of the south side's preparatory committee, in his closing address expressed thanks to the representatives of the south, north and overseas sides, those concerned with the festival and citizens of Pyongyang for the enormous efforts exerted for the success of the festival.
    He declared the festival closed after calling on all the 70 million Koreans to work hard to lead this successful holding of the festival to the dynamic trend towards national reconciliation and cooperation, peace and reunification. A large Korean Peninsula flag was slowly lowered amidst the playing of song "May the Korean Peninsula Flag Flutter".
    Before the closing ceremony there was a ceremony of awarding certificates of assistance to the organizations and representatives of the north, the south and overseas sides who have contributed to making the festival successful.

End to U.S. Soldiers' Killing of S. Korean Civilians Demanded

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The U.S. imperialists' occupation of south Korea is the root cause of all sorts of misfortune of the south Korean people and the source of murder. It is the only way for the south Korean people to regain their dignity to eradicate the source of man-killing. Rodong Sinmun Friday says this in a signed commentary.
    It goes on:
    No sooner had the news that GIs drove their truck over a south Korean woman to death in Tongduchon, Kyonggi Province on June 10 been known than the U.S. busied itself expressing what it called "regret" and "condolences" over her death, something unprecedented. The reason why the U.S. is working so hard to gloss over this case is quite clear. It is because the murder took place on the threshold of the third anniversary of death of Sin Hyo Sun and Sim Mi Son and the fifth anniversary of the publication of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. This tragedy occurred against the background of the mounting anti-U.S. actions and the movement for independent reunification in south Korea. The U.S. was afraid that this might certainly trigger off stronger anti-U.S. resistance in south Korea.
    If the investigation into the case ends up punishing a few criminals and urging the U.S. to make an empty "apology," the south Korean people will never escape from the fate as miserable victims of American soldiers' atrocities, the commentary concludes.

Reception Given by British Ambassador

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- A reception was given by David Arthur Slinn, British ambassador to the DPRK, Thursday evening on the occasion of its queen's official birthday, the national day of Britain. Present on invitation were Kung Sok Ung, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Yong Jae, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, Choe Chang Il, vice-minister of Culture, Hong Son Ok, vice-chairwoman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, officials concerned, diplomatic envoys of various countries and representatives of international organizations here.
    Speeches were made there.

Banquet Hosted by South Side's Preparatory Committee

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- 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 hosted a banquet in honor of representatives of the north and overseas sides at the People's Palace of Culture Thursday evening to mark the 5th anniversary of the publication of the historic joint declaration. Present on invitation were 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, and Ryu Mi Yong, chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Korean Chondoist Chongu Party, who are honorary chairpersons of the north side's preparatory committee, and An Kyong Ho, chairman of the north side's preparatory committee, and representatives of political parties and social organizations and officials concerned.
    Also present on invitation were Co-Chairmen Kwak Tong Ui and Mun Tong Hwan of the overseas side's preparatory committee, representatives of organizations related to the movement for reunification and the peace movement and those of organizations of Koreans for national rights and representatives of organizations in various fields.
    Present were Paek Rak Chong, chairman of the south side's preparatory committee, and representatives of various political parties and organizations related to the movement for reunification and those for the peace movement, representatives of various circles, fields and regions in south Korea and a delegation of Hyundai Asan. Speeches were made there.
    Pak Yong Gil, honorary representative of the south side's preparatory committee, said in her speech that the day is not far off when the Koreans in the south and the north and overseas will achieve national reconciliation and peaceful reunification, their cherished desire, by pooling their will and energy. She called on all of them to turn out to bring earlier the day of reunification in the spirit of the June 15 joint declaration.
    Jang Jin Min, member of the overseas side's preparatory committee, noted in his speech that the festival provided an opportunity of bringing about a new phase in the movement for national reconciliation and cooperation, peace and reunification, transcending differences in ideology, political view and religion.
    Honorary Chairman Kim Yong Dae noted that the joint declaration, a milestone for reunification common to the nation, indicates the road for the compatriots to follow, underscoring the need for the Koreans to firmly trust the compatriots with whom they can share the same will and kindred affection, not reading others' face and depending on foreign forces, and solve the issue of reunification, an issue of the nation, independently through their concerted efforts.

Intensified Movement for National Independence Called for in S.@Korea

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The Solidarity of Youth and Students for Implementing the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration reportedly released a statement on June 13 in connection with the lapse of three years since the killing of two schoolgirls by the U.S. troops' armored car. The statement noted that the slogans shouted by all the people demanding the revision of the unequal SOFA and the punishment of the U.S. army murderers three years ago represented actions that clearly showed their will to lead an independent life as it was an eruption of the grudge against the U.S. pent up for decades.
    The nation's desire for independent reunification free from the U.S. interference is growing stronger, but the U.S. troops are working hard to threaten the peace, stability and existence of the nation and obstruct the reunification, it noted, and continued:
    It is the task of all the people and the whole nation whose performance brooks not a moment's delay to force the U.S. forces to quit south Korea and achieve reunification. The statement called for holding higher the torch of the movement for national independence for the sake of the dignity, existence and future of the nation.

Actions for Pullback of U.S. Forces and Reunification Called for@in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification reportedly made public a statement titled "Let' s drive the U.S. troops out of south Korea to vent the grudge of Hyo Sun and Mi Son and reunify the country through the concerted efforts of the Koreans" on June 13. Recalling that on June 13 three years back Hyo Sun and Mi Son were brutally killed by U.S. soldiers and on June 10 this year woman Kim Myong Ja in her fifties was run over by a U.S. forces' truck to death in Tongduchon, Kyonggi Province, the statement said: The killers of the U.S. forces are, however, talking about "threat" and "infringement," claiming they did not know that the woman was killed. This is the gangster-like habit of the U.S. aggressor forces.
    The only way of giving vent to the grudge of Hyo Sun, Mi Son and Kim Myong Ja is to put an end to the unequal "south Korea-U.S. alliance" come what may and drive the U.S. troops out of this land to the last one this year, 60 years since the U.S. forces' occupation of south Korea.
    We will launch an all-out struggle against the U.S. today when there begins the "June 13-September 8 period of intensive struggle for peace against war and for the withdrawal of the U.S. troops".

Kim Yong Nam Meets Delegation of Authorities of South Side

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met at the Mokran House Thursday the delegation of the authorities of the south side led by Minister of Unification Jong Tong Yong which participated in the grand festival for national reunification marking the fifth anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration. Present there were Kim Ki Nam, vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, Kwon Ho Ung, head of the north side to the north-south ministerial talks, Kim Yong Sam, minister of Railways, Kim Yong Jin, minister of Education, Kim Su Hak, minister of Public Health, and officials concerned. The conversation proceeded in a fraternal atmosphere.

Delegation of South Side's Authorities Feted

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, hosted a banquet at the Mokran House Thursday evening in honor of the delegation of the south Korean authorities led by Jong Tong Yong, minister of Unification, which participated in the grand festival for national reunification to mark the 5th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration. Kim Ki Nam, vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, in his speech at the reception hailed the successful close of the June 15 grand festival, which opened in Pyongyang with a large attendance of representatives of the authorities of the north and the south and people from all walks of life in the north and the south and overseas.
    He said:
    At this meaningful banquet overflowing with compatriotic feelings I would like to recall with deep emotion the day of June 2000 when respected General Kim Jong Il and President Kim Dae Jung agreed upon the North-South Joint Declaration reflecting the noble patriotic intention and solemnly made it public internally and externally.
    The inter-Korean relations are turning into the ties of reconciliation, cooperation and reunification. This is the precious fruition of the idea of "By our nation itself", the basic spirit of the June 15 joint declaration.
    The exploits the top leaders of the north and the south performed by providing the historic Pyongyang summit and the June 15 joint declaration to open up a new history of "By our nation itself" will be handed down to posterity along with the history of the Korean nation.
    Everybody should bear deep in mind the intention of the top leaders of the north and the south who provided the June 15 joint declaration and have firm confidence in the future, he said, calling for upholding the joint declaration through national cooperation and implementing it in good faith.
    Jong Tong Yong in his speech said: Holding this grand festival for national reunification, all of us came to keenly realize that we are of the homogenous nation.
    The Pyongyang summit was a great watershed that changed the direction of the national history, he said, expressing conviction that the south and the north would achieve the reunification by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation along the road indicated by the June 15 joint declaration.
    He expressed thanks to the north side's delegation and citizens in Pyongyang for having warmly received and welcomed the south side's delegation.
    The participants in the banquet toasted the reunification of the Korean nation. A performance was given there by artistes of the north side.
    Among those present were Kwon Ho Ung, head of the delegation of the north side to the inter-Korean ministerial talks, Kim Yong Sam, minister of Railways, Kim Yong Jin, minister of Education, Kim Su Hak, minister of Public Health, and officials concerned.

S. Korean Organizations Issues Statements to Mark June 15 Joint Declaration

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Several organizations of south Korea made public statements on June 15 to mark the fifth anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration, according to a press report. The south Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of south Korean Trade Unions in a joint statement titled "Let's achieve national independence and reunification in the spirit of 'By our nation itself'".
    The statement said that the past five years after the publication of the joint declaration were significant years when antagonism and jealousy sustained between the south and the north of Korea for more than half a century were replaced by warm compatriotism and ardent desire for peace and reunification.
    Noting that the joint declaration is an invariable declaration of independent reunification "By our nation itself", it called for opposing the hostile policy towards the north pursued by the United States, a harasser of world peace and a principal criminal of the war crisis of the Korean Peninsula, and urged the authorities of the government to break with the past of having yielded to the U.S. pressure and policy and take brave steps to pave the way for peace and independent reunification of the country from a firm national stand.
    The South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification said in a commemorative statement that the past five years of the struggle for implementing the joint declaration clearly shows that the progress of reconciliation, peace and reunification is possible only when remaining faithful to the idea of "By our nation itself".
    The Solidarity for Implementing the South-North Joint Declaration, in a commemorative statement titled "Let's achieve independent reunification with the concerted efforts of the Korean nation, holding higher the June 15 joint declaration", said that the slogan "Let us not allow the U.S. forces' occupation to go beyond 60 years" is just the slogan of struggle which should be held up today.
    The South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification in a statement said that the joint declaration is that of national independence and great national unity, calling for glorifying this significant year as a proud year to bring a decisive turning point in the showdown with the U.S. and other outsiders and the movement for independent reunification by further strengthening national cooperation to drive the foreign forces out of south Korea and completely remove the U.S. nuclear war threat.
    The south Korean Federation of University Student Councils in a special statement expressed its will to surely realize national cooperation with the idea of "By out nation itself" as a weapon and vigorously advance toward independent and peaceful reunification and shatter the war moves of the U.S. blocking inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation and threatening peace in the Korean Peninsula by the united efforts.

Fifth Anniversary of June 15 Joint Declaration Marked in Seoul

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- A commemorative ceremony and a reunification concert were reportedly held to mark the fifth anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration on Wednesday evening in Seoul under the sponsorship of the South Side's Preparatory Committee for Joint Functions of Koreans in the North and the South and Overseas with at least 700 citizens and students in attendance. Co-representative Kim Sang Gun and advisor Kwon O Hyon of the south side's preparatory committee in their speeches at the ceremony called on the people to show to the world, through actions for sincerely implementing the joint declaration by the concerted efforts of the Koreans, that no obstacle and military threat can turn back their steps toward peace and reunification.
    Noting that the grand festival for national reunification this year is the first event after the formation of the preparatory committee for joint functions, the most comprehensive and powerful reunification organization, they said it serves as an occasion for putting the movement for the implementation of the joint declaration on a higher stage. They stressed that the declaration for national reunification adopted in Pyongyang is mighty enough to smash the U.S. imperialists' war moves and obstructions to Korea's reunification with national strength.
    When the declaration for national reunification was read out the participants sent balloons into the sky, shouting "Long live national reunification!" and "Long live June 15 joint declaration!"
    Then a reunification concert followed.

Seoul Headquarters of South Side's Preparatory Committee Formed

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The Seoul headquarters 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 was reportedly formed in south Korea on Wednesday. Three permanent representatives and three co-executive chairmen were elected at its inaugural ceremony.
    The inaugural declaration said the June 15 joint declaration gave the people the conviction of reunification, the conviction that any adversity can be turned into a favorable condition when the nation pools its efforts.
    It called upon all the people to strive to put an end to the tragedies and sufferings from division and reunify the country without fail this year which marks the 60th anniversary of Korea's liberation and the lapse of 60 years since the occupation of south Korea by the U.S. forces.

Anti-U.S. Photo Show Opens in Seoul

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- A ceremony of opening an "anti-U.S. photo show of the south, north and overseas sides on the lapse of 60 years since U.S. military occupation" was reportedly held at the Maroni Park in Seoul on June 13 under the sponsorship of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification on the occasion of the "June 13-September 8 period of intensive struggle for peace against war and for the withdrawal of the U.S. forces." On display were pictures exposing murder of civilians and crimes committed by GIs, U.S. war drills under various code names, and environmental pollution at the U.S. military bases, pictures showing scenes of Pyongyang during the June 25 war, atrocities of the U.S. imperialists in dropping germ bombs and the capture of the U.S. imperialists' spy ship Pueblo and pictures on the anti-U.S. struggle of Koreans overseas. Speakers at the opening ceremony said that the show would help all the members of the nation in the south and the north and overseas keenly feel once again the urgency of the withdrawal of the U.S. forces and lead them to an energetic work to draw the masses into the movement for U.S. troop pullout.
    They hoped that the show would serve as a major occasion in fortifying the will of all the fellow countrymen to oppose war and drive the U.S. forces out of south Korea.
    After seeing the photos, the visitors said they came to clearly know the real nature of the U.S. imperialist aggressors who seek pleasure in human killing, and strongly demanded the withdrawal of the U.S. forces.
    The South Headquarters declared that it would sponsor the function for anti-U.S information at over 100 spots across south Korea till September 8.

Joint Declaration Anniversary Marked in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Regional functions reportedly took place in south Korea to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration. A "walking festival" marking the anniversary was held in Kuro District, Seoul, on June 12 under the sponsorship of the southern district, Seoul, headquarters of the south side's preparatory committee for joint functions of the north, south and overseas for implementing the joint declaration. It brought together over 1,500 citizens and students in the district.
    The festival involved assembling letters saying "Let Us Reunify the Country by Our Nation Itself", throwing water balloons at a picture depicting the war fever of the United States and Japan and an art performance.
    Taejon, on June 11, witnessed a rally of people of Taejon and South Chungchong Province sponsored by the Taejon and South Chungchong Provincial headquarters of south side's preparatory committee.
    Displayed at the venue of the function were books published in the north, pictures on the theme of liquidation of pro-U.S. and pro-Japanese leftovers and pictures on the June people's resistance, the Kwangju popular uprising and the murder of two schoolgirls by U.S. soldiers. Participants said that, for the sake of reunification, it is required to dispel hostile feelings toward the north and know a lot about it and reunification will surely come in this course.
    They sang songs of reunification together.

U.S. Enactment of "North Korean Human Rights Act" Assailed

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The Council of Christian Churches of south Korea issued a statement on June 14 in which it denounced the United States for enacting the "North Korean Human Rights Act", according to the south Korean CBS. The statement criticized the enactment of the act as interference in the internal affairs of the north aimed at the change of its system. The U.S. uses non-human right value for its political hegemony, it said. Saying that the enactment of the act might spell a serous crisis to inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation, the statement urged the U.S. to regard peace on the Korean Peninsula as the foremost value.

Representatives of South and Overseas Sides Visit Various Places

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Representatives of the south and overseas sides participating in the June 15 grand festival for national reunification visited Mangyongdae. They looked with keen interest around the relics in the native home of President Kim Il Sung in Mangyongdae, being briefed on the explanation that he was born in such an ordinary straw-thatched house with low protruding corners of eaves and devoted his life to the country and the nation.
    The visitors had a photograph taken in commemoration of the visit to the old home.
    They also inspected the Tower of the Juche Idea and enjoyed a bird's eye view of Pyongyang from the observation platform of the tower.
    They went round the Arch of Triumph, the Mansudae Art Studio and the Mausoleum of King Tongmyong, the founder of the Koguryo Dynasty Meanwhile, the delegation of south Korea's Hyundai Asan visited Mangyongdae and inspected the Tower of the Juche Idea and the Mausoleum of King Tongmyong.

KITAC, Fair Arbitrator

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The Korean International Trade Arbitration Committee (KITAC) is a standing institution for a solution to disputes in external economic relations. It is charged with a mission to properly solve disputes in trade and investment and fully protect the right to property and interests of agencies, enterprises and foreign entrepreneurs in business activities.
    Having competent law, economic and financial experts as arbitrators, it fairly and quickly solves disputes arising in the performance of contracts related to such external economic dealings as trade, investment and services according to the external economic arbitration law of the DPRK and relevant arbitration rules.
    It has examined and correctly settled over 100 disputes arising among local agencies and enterprises, and businesses invested and run by foreigners and Koreans overseas on an annual average.

World Day to Combat Desertification, Drought Observed in DPRK

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Colorful activities have been conducted in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (June 17). A national workshop took place in Pyongyang on June 15 and 16 for the purpose of working out a draft framework of a national action program to prevent desertification and land degeneration and implement the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and drawing additional cooperation from all organs concerned to carry the framework into practice.
    It was attended by more than 60 representatives of organs concerned, Yang Youlin, assistant regional coordinator for the Asian Region of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and Pak Sum Low, regional adviser in charge of environment and sustainable development of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
    The participants planted trees at the Central Nursery on Friday.
    Field training courses on sustainable management of sloping lands were organized at mountain-utilization work-teams formed in local areas.
    The Ministry of Land and Environment Conservation has published a book titled "Afforestation and Water Conservancy and Management of Sloping Lands" and lectures on the book were given for members of the mountain-utilization work-teams in Kaechon County, South Phyongan Province, Suan County, North Hwanghae Province and other areas.
    Lectures on the theme of "Convention to combat desertification and national duty" were given at Kim Il Sung University and other universities.
    Mass media have conducted information activities on this year's theme "Women and Desertification."

Delegation of S. Korean Authorities Leaves

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The delegation of authorities of the south side led by Jong Tong Yong, minister of Unification, who participated in the grand festival for national reunification to mark the fifth anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration left here today. It was seen off at the airport by the Kwon Ho Ung, head of the north side's delegation to the inter-Korean ministerial talks, Ri Jong Hyok, vice-chairman of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, Choe Yong Gon, north side's chairman of the Committee for the Promotion of the North-South Economic Cooperation, and officials concerned.

South Side's Delegation Leaves

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The south side's delegation led by Paek Rak Chong, chairman of the South Side's Preparatory Committee for Joint Functions of Koreans in the North, South and Overseas for the Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration, left Pyongyang today after participating in the grand festival for national reunification to mark the fifth anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration. The delegation was seen off at the airport by An Kyong Ho, chairman of the north side preparatory committee, vice-chairmen of the committee and officials concerned.
    Paek Rak Chong issued a departure statement at the airport.
    He expressed thanks to Pyongyang citizens for warmly welcoming the representatives of the south and overseas participating in the festival and to those related to the festival for devoting themselves to the successful festival. The smoothly holding of the festival in the spirit of reconciliation, cooperation and great unity is another great success achieved in the struggle for national reunification, he said, stressing:
    The June 15 Joint Committee should vigorously pave the way for independent and peaceful reunification in the spirit of the joint declaration.

Hyundai Asan Delegation Leaves

     Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The delegation of south Korea's Hyundai Asan led by Hyon Jong Un, chairwoman of Hyundai Group, left here today after participating in the grand festival for national reunification marking the 5th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration. It was seen off at the airport by Ri Jong Hyok, vice-chairman of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il recibe a enviado especial del presidente surcoreano

     Pyongyang, 17 de junio (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio el dia 17 al ministro de Reunificacion Jong Tong Yong, enviado especial del presidente surcoreano Ro Mu Hyon y jefe de la delegacion de las autoridades surcoreanas participante en el gran festival por la reunificacion nacional en conmemoracion del 5 aniversario de la publicacion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio. Le acompano Rim Tong Ok, primer subjefe de departamento del Comite Central del Partido del Trabajo de Corea.
    En la audiencia el enviado especial transmitio al Dirigente la carta personal verbal que le envio el presidente surcoreano.
    Tras dar agradecimiento al respecto, el Dirigente le rogo que dirigiera su saludo al presidente Ro Mu Hyon y ex presidente Kim Tae Jung y sostuvo cordiales conversaciones con el.

Kim Jong Il recibe a personalidades surcoreanas

     Pyongyang, 17 de junio (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio el dia 17 a los surcoreanos relacionados con el historico encuentro cumbre Norte-Sur y a Pak Yong Gil, esposa del pastor Mun Ik Hwan. Entre los primeros figuraban Rim Tong Won, ex director del servicio nacional de inteligencia, Pak Jae Gyu, ex ministro de Reunificacion, Choe Hak Rae, ex director del periodico "Hangyore", Kim Po Hyon, ex subdirector del servicio nacional de inteligencia, Kang Man Gil, ex rector de la universidad de Sangji y Kim Min Ha, ex vicepresidente en jefe del Consejo Consultivo sobre la Politica de Reunificacion Pacifica.
    Acompano al Dirigente Rim Tong Ok, primer subjefe de departamento del Comite Central del Partido del Trabajo de Corea.
    El Dirigente Kim Jong Il evoco aquellos dias historicos de 5 anos atras en que fue preparado el jalon comun de la nacion para la reunificacion y sostuvo cordiales conversaciones con los huespedes surcoreanos.
    El mismo dia, el Dirigente ofrecio un almuerzo en honor del enviado especial del presidente surcoreano Ro Mu Hyon y su comitiva, los relacionados con la preparacion del encuentro cumbre Norte-Sur y la esposa del pastor Mun Ik Hwan.
    La recepcion transcurrio en un clima fraternal y ameno.