Japan's Bid for Permanent UNSC Membership under Fire

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- A widespread international signature campaign is going on in various countries demanding Japan's redress for its past serious human rights abuses and opposing its bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. The signature campaign, which is underway in response to the call made by the meeting of coordinators of the international solidarity council demanding Japan's liquidation of its past held in China in December last year, has so far been participated in by at least 42 million people including distinguished figures of political and social circles in over 40 countries.
    Representatives of U.S. and Dutch human rights organizations and representatives of the human rights organization of Koreans in the U.S. visited the UN Headquarters on June 30 and handed the signature paper to the special adviser to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan upon authorization of the solidarity council.
    Conveying the paper, the representatives strongly demanded the UN exercise its influence to check Japan's pitch for UNSC permanent membership until it apologizes and compensates for its grave human rights abuses committed during the Second World War.

U.S. Forces Pullout from S. Korea Demanded

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- Meetings for solidarity with the Korean people were held in France, Austria, Democratic Congo and Benin from June 24 to July 1 on the occasion of the month of anti-U.S. joint struggle (June 25-July 27). Displayed in the venues were photos showing Kim Jong Il's Songun leadership exploits, the Korean people in their struggle for national reunification and photos revealing the U.S. imperialists' moves for another Korean war and against the DPRK.
    Andre Aubry, delegate president of the France−Korea Friendship Association, in his speech said that a new phase was opened up for Korea's reunification in recent years thanks to the publication of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, a product of the bold decision of Kim Jong Il, and urged the U.S. to pull back its troops from south Korea and drop its hostile policy toward socialist Korea.
    Thomas Losh, chief of the Group of Youth for the Study of Kim Jong Il Juche Idea in Vienna, said that though the U.S. imperialists are making desperate efforts to isolate and stifle the DPRK, they are futile.
    Otete Gaston Mboyo, chairman of the Democratic Congo−Korea Friendship and Solidarity Association, flailed the U.S. for its undisguised moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK and ignite a nuclear war, calling on the world to be vigilant against the U.S. blatant interference in internal affairs of other countries and aggression against them.
    Juche idea adherents in Benin held solidarity meetings in 12 cities at which they decided to conduct positive activities in support of the Korean people's just cause. Messages of solidarity to Kim Jong Il were adopted at the meetings in France and Austria.

Lao Vice President Supports Korean People's Just Struggle

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- Lao people will invariably support the just struggle of the Korean people, said Lao Vice President Choummaly Saygnasone, who is member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. He said this when meeting with the DPRK ambassador to the country who paid a farewell visit to him on July 7.
    The Lao party, government and people are confident that the Korean people will reunify the country without fail under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il, he noted.
    　The friendly relations between the two countries continue to grow strong under the deep concern of Khamtay Siphandone and Kim Jong Il, he said, adding that the vigorous struggle of the fraternal Korean people for achieving national reunification and building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation under the uplifted banner of his unique Songun politics was a great inspiration to the Lao people.

Environment Protection Fund Established

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- The Korean Nature and Environment Protection Fund (Environment Fund) has been founded. It is designed to augment financial and material support to covering the whole land with forests and gardens as required in the new century, protecting bio-diversity, water resources, atmospheric environment and land resources and their sustained development and use on a scientific basis.
    The fund will receive support of various forms from home and foreign institutions and organizations including environment protection organizations and funds, individual citizens, overseas Koreans and foreign figures and arrange its effective use and thus energetically develop cooperation and exchange with them.
    Anyone who loves the country, desires the prosperity of the nation and happiness of humankind can participate in the fund's activities, no matter where he or she may live. The fund has a standing council and secretariat under it and helps toward the arrangement of a wide range of work such as the protection of nature and environment of the country and their development and native land upbuilding.
    The fund appraises home and foreign donor organizations and individual donors in various forms and ways according to its rules and minor regulations of activities.

Banquet Given for Special Envoy of Chinese President

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Pak Pong Ju hosted a banquet on Wednesday in honor of Councilor of the State Council of China Tang Jiaxuan, special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao. Pak Pong Ju in a speech said the DPRK feels satisfied with the fact that both sides had a frank exchange of views on the issue of rejuvenating the visits of high-level delegations and steadily boosting the bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern including the nuclear issue and reached the common understanding of strengthening cooperation.
    This once again clearly proves at home and abroad that the DPRK-China friendship that has stood all trials of the history has steadily grown strong in the spirit agreed upon between the top leaders of both countries in the new century, too, despite the complicated international situation, he said.
    He expressed belief that the traditional bilateral friendly ties would grow stronger and develop dynamically in all fields thanks to the concerted efforts exerted by the parties, governments and peoples of the two countries.
    Tang Jiaxuan in his speech said that today General Secretary Kim Jong Il spared time despite his tight schedule to cordially receive his delegation and said important words as regards the traditional Sino-DPRK relations of friendship and cooperation and international and regional issues of common concern. This suffices to prove that he, the WPK and the DPRK government set greatest store by the matter of boosting the bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation in handling crucial international and regional issues, he added.
    It is the steadfast strategic policy of the Chinese Party and government to steadily consolidate and develop the traditional Sino-DPRK friendship and cooperation, he said, adding that they would as ever maintain good communication and cooperation with the Korean friends and exert every effort to develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
    Present on invitation were Wu Donghe, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, Chen Jinyu, deputy secretary general of the State Council, Wu Dawei, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Liu Hongcai, deputy head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, An Min, vice-minister of Commerce, Chen Xiaogong, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the C.C., the CPC, and other suite members.
    Also present there were Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Pak Kyong Son, vice department director of the Central Committee of the WPK, Kim Kye Gwan and Kim Yong Il, vice-ministers of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned.

Reckless Remarks of South Korean Senior Officer Blasted

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- The Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland Wednesday issued information bulletin No. 905 assailing the candidate for the director of the south Korean Intelligence Service for his reckless remarks about the "validity" of the "National Security Law". Branding his remarks as traitorous outbursts intended to bring back the inter-Korean relations oriented to reconciliation and unity to those of distrust and confrontation, the information bulletin said:
    At a "hearing" held at the south Korean National Assembly over the personnel issue on July 5, he talked nonsense that the north still remains a threat to the security of south Korea in spite of improving atmosphere of reconciliation and relations between the north and south and the NSL should, therefore, remain in force.
    The north can not but recall the fact that whenever reactionaries of the worst type treating fellow countrymen with hostility held the posts of the successive directors of the "National Security Planning Board" and the "Central Intelligence Agency", the predecessors of the "Intelligence Service," the antagonism and confrontation between the north and the south further deteriorated and their relations were thrown into the catastrophic phase of collapse and collision.
    The above-said hostile remarks made by the candidate even before his assumption of office convince the north that the "Intelligence Service" remains unchanged in its nature and make it skeptical about whether such institution would be of any help to the reconciliation and cooperation between the north and the south.

U.S. Defense Secretary's Reckless Remarks Flayed

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Reunification Solidarity in south Korea reportedly issued a statement on July 8 denouncing U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. Recalling that in a talk with a U.S. radio on July 5 he malignantly slandered the DPRK, vociferating about the necessity to develop nukes capable of penetrating underground, the commentary observed that this brought to light the United States' intention to step up the development of nukes.
    The artifice employed by the U.S. to justify its war of aggression and development of nuclear weapons while talking about "freedom", "peace" and "democracy" can no longer work, it said, holding that if the U.S. persists in the development of nukes in that way, it is impossible to settle any issue through dialogue.

Japan's Distortion of History Assailed

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- The army and the people of the DPRK are sharply watching the moves of the Japanese militarist forces in distorting and denying the history of Japanese imperialists' aggression on Korea, declares Rodong Sinmun Thursday in a signed commentary. Warning that those who distort and deny the history of aggression are fated to meet the same lot of destruction as Japanese imperialism suffered in the past, the analyst goes on:
    Now Japan is being swept by a hectic campaign to distort and deny the blood-stained history of the Japanese imperialists' aggression. The base distortion of history by the Japanese reactionaries is an intolerable insult to the Korean people, the victim, and deception and mockery of public opinion.
    With the 60th anniversary of the defeat of Japanese imperialism in the offing, the Japanese reactionaries are bent on instilling the militarist outlook on history and revanchist sentiments deep into the hearts of the Japanese people and creating an ideological and mental climate for reinvasion.
    The Japanese reactionaries' mode of thinking today is not different in the least from that of the preceding militarists. To conceal and praise past crimes only reveals the intention to follow their predecessors who committed those crimes. The distortion of the criminal history of the illegal and brigandish occupation of Korea and colonial domination over it in the past days, refusal to settle the past, brazen-faced claim to Tok Islet and bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council fully reveal the course of preparations of the Japanese militarists to stage a comeback to Korea.
    Today when the U.S. imperialists are working round the clock to start the second Korean war, the Japanese reactionaries are straining every nerve not to miss the opportunity of staging a comeback to Korea by capitalizing on this. Their reinvasion of Korea is turning into an imminent reality.

Sino-Korean Friendship Lauded

     Beijing, July 12 (KCNA) -- To consolidate and develop traditional Sino-Korean friendship is an unshakable line of the Chinese party and government and true desire of the Chinese people, declared Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. He was addressing a reception hosted on July 12 by the association and the China-Korea Friendship Association on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. He said:
    China will as ever make tireless efforts to convey through generations and further glorify Sino-Korean friendship together with the Korean friends, upholding the main spirit of the treaty.
    Over the last 44 years the treaty has made a major contribution to the defense of the stability of the region and promotion of its development, tiding over the trials of complicated international situation. It has also demonstrated powerful vitality in defending traditional Sino-Korean friendship.
    In the period of socialist construction today the two countries are striving to promote their common prosperity and development and defend peace in Asia and the world, sincerely adhering to the spirit of mutual assistance and cooperation.
    The hard-working and brave Korean people are registering new successes in the socialist cause by displaying the glorious traditions of independence and hard struggle under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea with Kim Jong Il as its general secretary.
    We wholeheartedly hope the Korean people will register greater successes in the cause of building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation, overcoming difficulties, he concluded.
    Present at the reception on invitation were Ambassador Choe Jin Su and officials of the DPRK embassy in Beijing.
    On hand were Shen Guofang, assistant to the foreign minister, Tan Gialin, assistant to the head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and others.

True Consciousness of Being Same Nation Called for

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- The Korean nation should make the true consciousness of being the same nation laid down in the June 15 joint declaration the basis of the development of north-south relations, if it is to spur the inter-Korean relations and the movement for national reunification which are developing in the spirit of the joint slogans, says Rodong Sinmun Thursday in a signed article. The true consciousness of being the same nation provides a master key to solving all issues in the interests of the Korean nation while giving priority to the fellow countrymen, the article says, and goes on:
    This consciousness calls for putting the interests of the fellow countrymen above those of outsiders and it serves as a mental factor in channeling the intention and strength of the nation to the struggle to defend the interests of the nation.
    If the Korean nation fails to stand against the outsiders with this consciousness in the struggle for reunification, it would be impossible for it to maintain even its existence when its country remains divided and it faces outsiders' separatists' moves of aggression. The consciousness of being the same nation is a mental strength and basis of unity and this makes the Korean nation stronger.
    A main cure in resourcefully solving the inter-Korean relations that have got entangled and twisted due to outsiders is to have the consciousness of being the same nation and behave with the stand and mode of thinking of standing by the fellow countrymen.
    The true consciousness of being the same nation serves as a motive force promoting north-south reconciliation and unity and advancing the cause of reunification by the strength of compatriotism.
    This consciousness encourages all the members of the nation to contribute to the cause of reunification with patriotic zeal by putting the sentiments of love for the nation above all and thus overcome the differences in views on that basis, being fellow countrymen of one nation despite differing ideas and isms.
    The true consciousness of being the same nation also calls for attaching importance to the fellow countrymen of same blood, not to outside forces, and cooperate with the compatriots and view and approach the issue of the nation's destiny from national viewpoint and stand.
    All the fellow countrymen in the north and the south and abroad should fully display the true consciousness of being the same nation from the national stand, spur the improvement of the inter-Korean relations and dynamically advance the June 15 era of reunification, no matter how desperately the outsiders may try to block reunification and launch aggression.

Congratulatory Message to Sudanese President

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to Omar Hassan Ahmed Al−Bashir on the formation of a national united government in Sudan and his assumption of office as Sudanese president. The message said that the formation of the government in Sudan is a historic success made by the Sudanese people in the struggle to achieve unity and territorial integrity in Sudan and build a new prosperous society.
    Expressing the belief that the relations between the two friendly countries would continue to grow stronger in the future, the message wished him great success in his responsible work for the unity of the country and the building of a new society.

Fresh Economic Upsurge in DPRK

     Pyongyang July 14 (KCNA) -- The people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are effecting a new upswing in the efforts to implement the slogans jointly issued by the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea to greet its 60th anniversary. The agricultural working people have turned out to bring about a great turn in the agricultural sector, the major front of the socialist economic construction this year.
    Those in South Hwanghae and North and South Phyongan Provinces have established a scientific manuring system for the growth of rice, maize and bean crops to cope with the unfavorable weather conditions. And they are striving hard to increase the production of live-stock, vegetables, fruits and cash crops.
    Weeding has been done successfully despite of the rainy season on the co-op farms in Myonggan County, North Hamgyong Province, Kosan County, Kangwon Province and in other parts of the country.
    In response to the joint slogans calling for preferentially providing the agricultural domain with everything needed for farming, ministries, national institutions and industrial establishments are all out to render assistance to rural communities in terms of manpower and material. The Kwaksan Trailed Farm Implements Factory and other farm machine factories throughout the country are boosting the production of farm machines including mobile thrashers.
    Meanwhile, workers of hydro-power stations increased the electricity production by 20 percent in the first seven days of July than the same period of the last year. Silk producers are carrying out their daily quota at 120 percent. Servicemen are playing a big part in the efforts to implement the joint slogans of the Party.

Gift to Kim Jong Il

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the Jilin Provincial People's Government in China. The gift was handed to Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, by Tian Xueren, vice-governor of the Jilin Provincial People's Government who is leading an economic and trade delegation of Jilin Province on a visit to the DPRK, on Thursday.

Special Envoy of Chinese President Leaves

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- Councilor of the State Council of China Tang Jiaxuan, special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao, went back home Thursday after winding up his three-day visit to the DPRK. He was accompanied by Chen Jinyu, deputy secretary general of the State Council, Wu Dawei, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Liu Hongcai, deputy head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, An Min, vice-minister of Commerce, Chen Xiaogong, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the C.C., the CPC, and other suite members.
    They were seen off at the airport by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il, Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, officials concerned, Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wu Donghe, officials of the Chinese embassy here and Chinese students. Today they inspected the construction site of the Taean Friendship Glass Factory which has been stepped up at a fast speed thanks to the high enthusiasm of technicians and builders of the two countries and soldiers of the Korean People's Army.
    On behalf of the Chinese party and government Tang Jiaxuan encouraged the technicians and builders of the two countries in their efforts to speed up the construction of the factory on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea before making an entry in the visitor's book.
    Tang and his party handed to field officials aid materials sent to the builders of the factory by the Chinese government through the DPRK government.

Paek Nam Sun Receives Credentials from UN Resident Coordinator

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun received credentials from UN Resident Coordinator in Pyongyang Timo Pakkala Thursday.

Pak Pong Ju Meets Chinese Economic and Trade Delegation

     Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Pak Pong Ju met and had a friendly conversation with the economic and trade delegation of Jilin Province, China led by Tian Xueren, vice-governor of the Jilin Provincial People's Government, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Present there were Minister of Foreign Trade Rim Kyong Man, officials concerned and Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wu Donghe.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il se reune con delegado especial de Hu Jintao

    　Pyongyang, 14 de julio (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea y Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, se reunio el dia 13 con el delegado especial de Hu Jintao, presidente de la Republica Popular China, Tang Jiaxuan, quien es consejero de Estado. Estuvieron presentes alli Kim Yang Gon, consejero del CDN de la RPDC, y Wu Donghe, embajador extraordin ario y plenipotenciario de China en Corea.
    Tang Jiaxuan transmitio al Dirigente un mensaje oral de Hu Jintao y el saludo amable de los cuadros directivos del partido y el Estado de su pais.
    Hu Jintao, en su mensaje, senalo que el partido y el gobierno de China aprecian mucho la tradicional amistad China-Corea y haran esfuerzos comunes con el partido y el gobierno de Corea para profundizar en diversos sectores la amistad y la cooperacion y lograr nuevo e ininterrumpido desarrollo en las relaciones China-Corea.
    Evaluo la valiosa contribucion del Dirigente Kim Jong Il y del partido y el gobierno de Corea a la pronta reanudacion de las conversaciones a 6 bandas y expreso su voluntad de seguir apoyando el papel clave de la parte coreana en la solucion pacifica del problema nuclear.
    El presidente Hu Jintao deseo que ambas partes mantengan de continuo el estrecho intercambio de opiniones y cooperacion y hagan esfuerzos comunes por lograr un avance real en la cita a 6 bandas y defender los intereses comunes.
    El Dirigente expreso agradecimiento por el mensaje oral del presidente chino, le rogo a Tang Jiaxuan que transmitiera su saludo al presidente y otros cuadros del partido y el Estado de China y departio con el en un ambiente amistoso y cordial.
    El manifesto agradecimiento a los esfuerzos del partido y el Estado de China por la reanudacion de las conversaciones a 6 partes.
    Subrayo que la desnuclearizacion de la Peninsula Coreana es un legado del Presidente Kim Il Sung y la solucion pacifica y negociada del problema nuclear es la posicion invariable de la RPDC.
    El Dirigente deseo que las conversaciones a 6 bandas se reanuden a su debido tiempo segun lo acordado y logren un avance activo.
    Apunto que haremos esfuerzos comunes con China para impulsar activamente las relaciones bilaterales a la nueva etapa de desarrollo de acuerdo con la demanda del nuevo siglo.
    En la ocasion tuvo lugar un intercambio de opiniones profundas acerca de frecuentar la visita mutua de los dirigentes de alto nivel y de una serie de problemas de interes mutuo.
    Ese dia, Tang Jiaxuan entrego presente al Dirigente Kim Jong Il.

Tergiversacion de la historia de agresion es camino de ruina

    　Pyongyang, 14 de julio (ATCC) -- El diario Rodong Sinmun, en un comentario individual insertado en su edicion del dia 14, senala que el ejercito y el pueblo de Corea vigilan con agudeza las maniobras de las fuerzas militaristas japonesas encaminadas a tergiversar y negar la historia de agresion a Corea y advierte que a estas les tocara solo el mismo destino que sus antecesores vencidos. 　El comentarista prosigue:
    　La tergiversacion de la historia de agresion de los reaccionarios japoneses deviene un intolerable insulto al danado pueblo coreano y burla a la opinion publica.
    　Con motivo del 60 aniversario de su derrota los reaccionarios japoneses se proponen inculcar a sus habitantes la concepcion de la historia militarista, el sentimiento de revanchismo y el ambiente ideo-espiritual para una nueva agresion a Corea.
    　El modo de pensar de los reaccionarios japoneses no se difiere en lo minimo de los militaristas antecedentes. Al encubrir y embellecer los crimenes cometidos en el pasado por sus antecesores, ellos intentan reeditar la historia de agresion a Corea. Lo prueban fehacientemente la tergiversacion de la criminal historia de ocupacion ilegal y de la dominacion colonial a Corea, la negacion a la liquidacion del pasado criminal, la descarada insistencia en el "derecho a la posesion de la isla Tok" y la maniobra para ganar atributo de miembro permanente del Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU, etc.
    　Ellos no quieren perder la oportunidad de agredir de nuevo a Corea coincidiendo en tiempo con las maniobras de los imperialistas norteamericanos encaminadas a provocar la segunda guerra coreana. Es inminente la nueva agresion a Corea de los reaccionarios japoneses.