Korean People's Cause of Reunification Supported

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- We will positively support the Korean people in their struggle to achieve the peaceful reunification of the country by their concerted efforts under the uplifted banner of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and as always stand by them in their struggle for justice. Juda Tsootetsi, chairman of the South African Association of Friendship and Solidarity with the Korean People, said this in a statement issued on June 13 to mark the 5th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. Over the last five years since the publication of the joint declaration Kim Jong Il has led the drive to fully embody the idea of "By our nation itself" in the movement for reunification, thus bringing about a dramatic turning-point in it and performing exploits to shine long in the Korean nation's history of reunification movement.
    He continued:
    The reunification of Korea is sure to be achieved as Kim Jong Il is steering the reunification movement of the Korean nation and it is guided by the joint declaration, a milestone for reunification.
    We strongly demand the U.S. stop its moves to provoke a new war at once, withdraw without delay its forces and nuclear weapons from south Korea and cease hamstringing the efforts of the north and the south of Korea to achieve reconciliation and reunification.

S. Korean Students Occupy Japanese Cultural Centre

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- 15 students affiliated to the Student Committee of the Democratic Workers' Party of south Korea occupied the Japanese Cultural Centre in Seoul by surprise on June 20 in protest against the Japanese chief executive's visit to Seoul, according to the south Korean CBS. They staged a demonstration, chanting in unison slogans "No south Korea-Japan summit" and "We denounce Koizumi's visit to south Korea" inside and outside of the cultural centre. Riot police walked away all of them.

Actions against Japanese Chief Executive's Trip to S. Korea Staged

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- Various circles of south Korea staged actions against the Japanese chief executive's visit to Seoul in different parts of Seoul on June 19, according to the south Korean CBS. Members of the Tok Islet Fellowship Society held a rally at the Tapgol Park in Seoul. They strongly protested against the Japanese chief executive's projected south Korean junket, urging him to discontinue his visit to the Yasukuni Shrine and apologize for the reckless remarks on Tok Islet.
    Members of the Headquarters of the Student Movement for the Defence of Tok Islet, for an End to the Distortion of History and the Liquidation of the Pro-Japanese Remnants held a rally at the park in protest against Koizumi's visit to south Korea.
    Meanwhile, members of the Association of Bereaved Families of the Pacific War Dead have reportedly been on a sit-in strike against his visit in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul since June 16.

Art Performances Given in Pyongyang and Local Areas

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- Art performances were given at theatres and cultural houses in Pyongyang and local areas to celebrate the 41st anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. The Pyongyang Puppet Show Company put on the stage the puppet show based on a fairy tale "A Boy Who Caught a Tiger" adapted from the story told by Kim Jong Il while artistes of the State National Art Troupe staged the national opera "The Tale of Chun Hyang." Artistes of the State Theatrical Company and the State Comic Company presented various numbers including witty talks, short plays and solo performances which tell about lessons amid laughter. Artistes of the Pyongyang Circus gave a combined acrobatic performance.
    Put on the stages of the provincial art theatres and cultural houses were colorful numbers such as chorus "Glory to General Kim Jong Il," vocal solo and chorus of immortal classic "Korea, I Will Glorify Thee," male quintet "The Moment of Sunrise," piano solo and chorus "His Life" and mixed duet "Fascination".
    The performers sang high praises of Kim Jong Il, who has performed immortal revolutionary feats by firmly defending and upholding the idea and cause of President Kim Il Sung in the van of the revolution and ushering in a new era of gigantic changes on this land, and truthfully represented the unquestioned trust and reverence of the servicepersons and people in the DPRK for him.
    The performances were appreciated by officials of Party and power organs and working people's organizations in Pyongyang and local areas and servicepersons of the Korean People's Army, working people and school youth and children.

Foreign Diplomats Visit Different Parts of DPRK

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- Diplomatic envoys and staff members of embassies of Libya, Syria and Egypt Monday visited the Revolutionary Museum of the Ministry of Culture on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. The guests laid bouquets before the statue of President Kim Il Sung at the Korean Film Studio and paid tribute to him before looking round the museum.
    They went round historic relics and mementoes, being briefed on the fact that Kim Jong Il brought about the greatest successes in the Juche-oriented art through his outstanding ideological and theoretical activities and energetic leadership, thus performing immortal exploits.
    At the end of the visit they made an entry in the visitor's book.
    Bashir Ramadan Khalifa Abu Janah, secretary of the People's Bureau of Libya, wrote that he came to know well that Kim Jong Il wisely led the work in the field of culture and arts. He wished the Korean people greater progress and prosperity under his leadership.
    Moustafa Mohamed Ahmed Al Hatter, Egyptian ambassador, wrote that many masterpieces loved by the people were created in the field of culture and arts in the DPRK under the wise guidance of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
    Muhammad Adib Al Hani, Syrian charge d'affaires ai, wrote that the successes made by the Korean people in the field of culture and arts are the fruition of the leadership of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
    Then the guests moved to the mock-up location streets of the Korean Film Studio, a modern comprehensive centre for shooting, built under the wise guidance of the WPK. Meanwhile, the charge d'affaires ad interim and staff members of the Chinese embassy visited the Songam Cavern on the same day.
    Ambassador Sule Buba and staff members of the Nigerian embassy visited Poman-ri, Sohung County, North Hwanghae Province, which has turned into a socialist village of bliss, on June 19.

Kim Jong Il's Feats Lauded

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- The immortal feats of leader Kim Jong Il in leading the Songun revolution were highly praised at a photo exhibition, a film show and a symposium held in Uzbekistan, Singapore and Bulgaria on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of his start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. Speakers at the functions said Kim Jong Il regarded unity as the starting point of all lines and policies over the last 41 years of his political activities since he started his work at the WPK Central Committee. They noted that he has synthesized and systematized, developed and enriched the Juche idea founded by President Kim Il Sung and made it the guiding idea of the times and turned the DPRK into a power of ideology. Noting that Kim Jong Il established the unique Songun political mode and carried it into a brilliant reality to fortify the DPRK into an impregnable fortress of independence which no one dare provoke, they said the Korean people will always emerge victorious as they are guided by him possessed of distinguished political ability.

Senior Japanese Officials' Reckless Remarks Blasted

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- Senior Japanese officials have recently let loose a string of reckless remarks that the DPRK should unconditionally return to the six-party talks and the abduction issue should be settled in a comprehensive manner in case the talks are resumed. Against this background, the Japanese government reportedly adopted a decision calling for not allowing even the DPRK's nuclear development for a peaceful purpose at the next round of the six-party talks.
    This only provokes derision among the participating nations and the international community as it is nothing but a cunning trick to deter any progress from being made in the discussion of the nuclear issue and fish in troubled waters through the six-party talks.
    Japan is, in fact, not qualified to participate in the talks. It is, therefore, ridiculous for it to talk about the role of a major player in choosing the main agenda items of the talks. In this regard the DPRK can not but recall the role Japan has so far played in dealing with the nuclear issue.
    Japan has used the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula for its arms buildup. Japan has taken pains to negate the self-defensive nature of the DPRK's access to missiles and nukes, claiming that its nuclear weapons are posing a great "threat" to Tokyo. Under this pretext, Japan has put spurs to the establishment of the missile defence system and to the moves to bolster up its "Self-Defence Forces".
    The whole course of the past six-party talks proved that Japan has stood in the way of settling the nuclear issue, far from playing a constructive role in it.
    At the past talks Japan vitiated the atmosphere of the talks by persistently bringing up for the discussion at the talks the abduction issue which had nothing to do with the main agenda of the talks.
    For this role Japan only earned curses at each round of the talks.
    Japan has never sincerely wished to see success of the talks. It is still today working hard to complicate the situation in a bid to drive the talks to a collapse.
    This is evidenced by the fact that recently Japan called for five-party talks and the referral of the nuclear issue to the UN.
    What Japan is seeking is not the peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue but a sinister purpose to drag on its solution and use it as a justification to emerging a military giant. As far as the nuclear issue is concerned, Japan is beset with this problem. An undeniable serious nuclear issue has existed there for several decades.
    Even the Japanese heavy-weights have made it clear that Japan's nuclear weaponization is incomparably graver than the uneasiness created by nukes of the DPRK.
    It is preposterous and disgusting for Japan to persistently raise a hue and cry over the nuclear issue of the DPRK.
    Japan would be well advised to cogitate about whether it is qualified to participate in the talks before saying this or that about the six-party talks.
    Japan had better stop going reckless, well aware of its position and the purport and objective of the talks.

Japan Hit for Hastening Build-up of MD System

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- Japan is now giving spurs to the building of the Missile Defense System by going over to the development stage in the plan of Japan-U.S. joint researches into the MD under the pretext of coping with the "missile threat" from the DPRK. Commenting on this, a Rodong Sinmun analyst today says:
    This indicates that Japan's war-like forces are pushing forward in full scale their preparations to mount preemptive attacks on the DPRK and surrounding countries at any time in military conspiracy with the United States.
    The Japanese reactionaries seek to use the allegation about "missile threat" from the DPRK as an excuse for justifying and openly pushing ahead with their establishment of the MD system.
    They put the veil of "defense" over their projected development and deployment of the MD system for preemptive attacks on other countries. It is nothing but a smokescreen for dulling the vigilance of the surrounding countries and misleading world opinion. There is no doubt that if the Japanese reactionaries, quite emboldened and buoyed with reinvasion fervor with the patronage of the U.S., gain access to the MD system, they may open the fire of preemptive strikes at the DPRK and surrounding countries at any time.
    Their move to build the MD system in cahoots with the U.S. is clear proof that their preparations for overseas aggression are being sped up at the final stage and entering into a practical stage.
    This is a reckless and dangerous act that threatens the sovereignty and security of the surrounding countries and endangers the regional situation.
    The Japanese reactionaries should face up to the reality with a cool head and stop their harebrained military adventure.

Reunification Festival at Seoul National University

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- A reunification festival of Seoul National University was reportedly held at the campus plaza on June 14 to mark the 5th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration. The executive chairman of the June 15 Joint Meeting of the university and other speakers at the festival said they think again over the meaning of the joint declaration on the 5th anniversary of its publication and expressed the resolution to wage a dynamic struggle against the U.S. and war and for national cooperation.
    A declaration was read out at the festival, which said the Korean people are now standing at the crucial crossroads of national reunification and war and only the might of national cooperation can check the U.S. war moves.
    Seoul National University, which has staunchly defended the joint declaration in face of all manner of obstructions of the U.S. and anti-reunification forces for 5 years, will take the lead in the struggle to implement it in the future, too, stated the declaration.
    Video-recorded accounts of the Korean nation's reunification movement and the course of the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration were shown at the festival.

Reunification Marathon in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- A reunification marathon race reportedly took place in Seoul on June 18 to mark the fifth anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration. It brought together at least 1,000 members of civic and public organizations, workers, youths and students and other people without reference to age and sex from all areas. Running 6.15 km and 10 km sections, the marathoners loudly chanted "National reunification", "Let us implement the joint declaration" and other slogans.
    A four-year-old "kid marathoner" and "mum and dad marathoners" keeping pace with their kid and "family marathoners" from Inchon, Kyonggi Province, said they should bring a new reunified land to the children and it was the unanimous desire of all the participants in the race.
    Vice-Chairman of the Seoul City Federation of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) U Tong Chol, 77, and Secretary General of the Pomminryon South Headquarters Ri Kyong Won said the large turnout in the marathon race from all social strata showed that the June 15 joint declaration was naturally holding its place in the everyday life of people. They hoped that the race representing the vitality of the June 15 joint declaration would serve as the manure of reunification. The race was followed by various functions.

Golden Jubilee of Chongryon Observed in Japan

     Tokyo, June 20 (KNS-KCNA) -- A meeting of veteran officials was held at the Korean Hall here on June 15 to commemorate the golden jubilee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon). Present there were officials of Chongryon including So Man Sul, chairman of the Central Standing Committee of Chongryon, and its vice-chairpersons, and veteran officials who have worked at the Central Standing Committee, organizations and enterprises, headquarters of Chongryon in eastern areas of Japan and at the traders and industrialists association and the educational association in Japan.
    So Man Sul said in a speech that the half a century covered by Chongryon is a history of the guidance provided by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il to it and represents a worthwhile life led by all the officials of Chongryon and compatriots with patriotism and loyalty. He expressed the hope that the veteran officials would keep themselves healthy and strong and successfully lead the young officials and Koreans in Japan to bring a bright future to the movement of Koreans in Japan at a new level. At the meeting a "medal commemorating the golden jubilee of Chongryon" was awarded to the veteran officials who have devoted themselves to the patriotic work of Chongryon.
    Honorary Professor of Joson University Nam Si U noted that the course of his life would be unthinkable without the benevolent leadership of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and the care of Chongryon, vowing to keep to the patriotic road, remaining true to Chongryon.
    A meeting of veteran officials in western areas of Japan took place at the hall of the Osaka Headquarters of Chongryon on June 18.

Punishment on GI Criminals at S. Korean Court Demanded

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- The south Korean "Emergency Measure Committee for Probing the Truth behind the Killing by a Heavy Truck of the U.S. Army" reportedly held a press conference in Yangju, Kyonggi Province, on June 16 and demanded a probe into the truth behind the atrocity committed by a U.S. soldier in driving his truck over a south Korean woman and the punishment of the murderer. A press release read out at the press conference said the incident was attributable to the failure to make a proper probe into the truth, let alone the punishment of the U.S. army murders, when two schoolgirls were killed three years ago.
    Recalling that none of U.S. soldiers have ever been meted out a penalty after committing innumerable crimes over the past 60 years, the press release urged the police to make clear the truth through a resurvey of the spot of incident and thorough investigation and the authorities to demand the U.S. army abandon the first jurisdiction and punish the GI criminals at the south Korean court.

North Side's Delegation Leaves for Seoul

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- The north side's delegation led by Kwon Ho Ung, chief councilor of the DPRK Cabinet, left here by air Tuesday to participate in the 15th inter-Korean ministerial talks to be held in Seoul.

Kim Jong Il, Rare Political Veteran

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il is the benevolent father of the people and rare political veteran who defined love and trust as the political idea of socialism and created the model of genuine popular politics with the statesmanship of love for the country, the nation and the people, says Rodong Sinmun in a signed article today. It goes on: The 40-odd-year long history of Kim Jong Il's leadership of party work is shining as an immortal history in which he has glorified Korean-style socialism, regarding love for the country, the nation and the people as noble political idea and maxim.
    Love for and trust in the people are the revolutionary creed and political philosophy of Kim Jong Il. His noble political idea of love for the people is represented in his many works comprehensively expounding the theoretical and practical questions arising in improving the principle of activities and working morale and method the Workers' Party of Korea in conformity with its mission and duty as the motherly party.
    It also finds manifestation in his wise guidance to all the state and social bodies including people's power organs so that they may faithfully serve the people.
    The world of his warm comradeship is the broadest and most profound one with which he unearths the feats of heroic fighters whose memory has been given over to oblivion, buried under dead leaves of the time, and puts them on the hill of eternal life and shows trust and love without discrimination even for those with complicated social and political careers and family backgrounds and lets their political life shine to the end.
    The vitality of the benevolent policy pursued by him is given fuller display by the Songun politics of the Party.
    It was thanks to his Songun revolutionary leadership that the popular policies of the party and the state for improving the living conditions of the people were boosted even in the difficult days of the "Arduous March" and forced march.
    Under his popular policy, the advantages and might of the Korean- style socialism centering on the popular masses are being displayed to a higher degree and the single-minded unity of the people is being further consolidated.

Visits

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the DPRK Central Bank led by its President Kim Wan Su left here today to participate in the 75th annual meeting of the Bank for International Settlements in Switzerland. Meanwhile, delegate of the WHO Xiaorui Zhang and delegates of the WHO Regional Offices for South-East Asia and West Pacific, delegations and delegates from Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand arrived here today to participate in the WHO South-East Asia regional workshop on traditional medicine.
    Also arriving was a delegation of India headed by Smt Uma Pillai, secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

S. Korean Red Cross President and His Party Arrive

     Pyongyang, June 21 (KCNA) -- South Korean Red Cross President Han Wan Sang and his party arrived here today. They were greeted at the airport with compatriotic feelings by Choe Song Ik, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the DPRK Red Cross Society, and officials concerned.

For Spanish-speaking people

ATCC comenta ridiculo proceder de autoridades japonesas

     Pyongyang, 21 de junio (ATCC) -- En estos dias, entre las altas autoridades de Japon cunden uno tras otro disparates tales como la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea "debe retornar incondicionalmente a la mesa de las conversaciones a 6 bandas", "en caso del reinicio de estas, debe ser resuelto globalmente el problema del secuestro", etc. Coincidiendo con ello, en dias recientes, el gobierno japones aprobo una resolucion de no tolerar en la proxima ronda de esa cita hasta el desarrollo nuclear con fines pacificos de nuestro pais (RPDC).
    Esto es una accion muy astuta encaminada a frenar la marcha positiva del problema nuclear y sacar algun provecho de la cita seis-partita, razon por la cual es objeto de burla de los paises participantes en esta y la sociedad internacional.
    Resulta sumamente ridiculo que Japon, que ni siquiera tiene la calificacion para tomar parte en esa cita, se atreviera a arrogarse el "papel protagonico" en la elaboracion de su agenda principal.
    Tal osadia de Japon nos obliga a echar una vista retrospectiva a las acciones cometidas hasta la fecha por el pais-isla escudandose detras del problema nuclear de la Peninsula Coreana. Hasta la fecha, Japon vino malempleandolo en el aumento de sus fuerzas armadas. Al armar escandalos con la supuesta "amenaza seria" del problema nuclear para la seguridad de Japon, este se obstino en rehusar el caracter defensivo de la posesion de misiles y armas nucleares de nuestro pais y tomandola por pretexto acicateo el establecimiento del "sistema antimisiles" y el fortalecimiento de sus "fuerzas de autodefensa".
    Ya fue comprobado en las pasadas rondas de conversaciones a 6 bandas que Japon obstaculizo la solucion del problema nuclear, lejos de dar influencias constructivas. En aquellas ocasiones, el pais isleno enrarecio el clima del dialogo al plantear sucesivamente el "problema del secuestro" que no tiene nada que ver con la agenda principal.
    Por esta razon, siempre fue objeto de denuncias tal procedimiento de Japon.
    Sin embargo, hasta hoy, este pais no desea de veras el desenlace fructifero de la cita a 6 bandas e intenta llevarla al fracaso complicando aun mas la situacion. Como colofon de esas maniobras, los japoneses insistieron hace poco en la convocatoria de las "conversaciones a 5 bandas" y el sometimiento del "problema nuclear" a la "consideracion de la ONU".
    Lo que desean ellos no es la solucion pacifica de problema nuclear sino dilatarla para seguir empleandolo en justificar la conversion de su pais en una potencia militar. A proposito, el pais que tiene de verdad el problema nuclear es el mismo Japon donde perduro durante varios decenios y existe todavia un grave problema del particular imposible de menospreciar.
    Hasta las mismas elites japonesas senalan claramente que el armamento nuclear de su pais es incomparablemente grave que la intranquilidad a causa de armas nucleares norcoreanas.
    Entonces es muy absurda la repugnante conducta del pais-isla que aun teniendo el problema nuclear mas serio y grave sigue acusando a nuestro pais en el mismo terreno. Seria mas sensato que Japon piense primero si tiene o no calificacion de participar en la cita a 6 bandas, antes de soltar charlataneria al respecto.
    Es decir, que sepa bien claro de la situacion en que se halla, el proposito y objetivo de la cita a 6 partes, en lugar de meter su nariz en donde no debe.

Rodong Sinmun revela ambicion de ataque preventivo de Japon

     Pyongyang, 21 de junio (ATCC) -- Japon da acicate al establecimiento del sistema antimisiles al llevar a la etapa de desarrollo el plan de investigacion conjunta con EE.UU. en esta materia so pretexto de hacer frente a la "amenaza" de misiles de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea. Esto demuestra que en confabulacion militar con EE.UU. los belicistas japoneses aceleran sus preparativos para asestar a todo momento un golpe preventivo a la RPDC y otros paises vecinos.
    Senala asi el diario Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual del dia 21 y prosigue:
    Los reaccionarios japoneses difunden un rumor de la "amenaza de misiles" de la RPDC para justificar e impulsar abiertamente el establecimiento del sistema antimisiles. El rotulo de "defensa", con que promueven el desarrollo y emplazamiento del sistema antimisiles para dar golpe preventivo a otros paises, no pasa de ser una cortina de hacer aflojar la precaucion de los paises vecinos y desviar la opinion publica del mundo.
    No cabe duda de que los reaccionarios japoneses, estimulados por EE.UU. en su ambicion de nueva agresion, podran asestar un golpe preventivo a la RPDC y otros paises vecinos luego de disponer del sistema antimisiles.
    El establecimiento del sistema antimisiles que promueven los reaccionarios japoneses junto con EE.UU. es una clara prueba de que sus maquinaciones de agresion a ultramar llegan a la etapa final y practica. Esto es un acto temerario y peligroso que amenaza la soberania y la seguridad de los paises vecinos y exacerba la situacion regional. Los reaccionarios japoneses deben apreciar con serenidad la realidad y desistir de temerarias maniobras militares.