Commemorative Coins to Be Minted

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- Commemorative coins "The 60th Anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea" and "The 60th Anniversary of Korea's Liberation" will be minted. According to a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK dated July 20, the DPRK Central Bank will mint gold and silver commemorative coins reflecting the will of the army and people of the DPRK to significantly celebrate the 60th anniversaries of the glorious WPK and the liberation of Korea as the great national events and eternally glorify the proud history and undying feats of the WPK and the DPRK.
    The illustrations, sizes and composition of these commemorative coins have been approved, says the decree.

Pyongyang Koryo Hotel 20 Years Old

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang Koryo Hotel observed the 20th anniversary of its foundation (August 9, 1985). The hotel was built as 45-storied twin-towers of unique architectural style in Changgwang Street, one of the main streets of the capital, on August 9, Juche 74 (1985) in the run-up to the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Korea.
    Over the last 20 years it has ensured important party and state functions and served foreign guests to their best convenience.
    In recent years it has updated various service facilities in a unique manner, improved the programs and ways for service and information service inside the hotel and done a lot of good things for servicepersons and people.
    The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a congratulatory message to the employees and officials of the hotel on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the hotel and highly praised them for having admirably rendered services for the guests from abroad.

RS. Calls for Bringing into Bloom Socialist Culture in Songun Era

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- All the party members and other working people should further develop and bring into fuller bloom the socialist culture in the era of Songun as required by the developing reality in which a high-pitched drive and leaping advances are reported, in order to strikingly demonstrate the invincible spirit of Juche Korea. This call is made by Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in an editorial. It says:
    The Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea in the joint slogans published on the 60th anniversary of the WPK put forward militant tasks to further develop and bring into bloom the socialist culture in the era of Songun era with the revolutionary soldier culture as an example.
    It is necessary to study hard leader Kim Jong Il's idea and line on building the socialist culture in the era of Songun reflected in the joint slogans and turn out as one in the drive to implement them.
    The revolutionary soldier culture represents the struggle and advance, revolutionary optimism and joy created in the most difficult days of the "Arduous March," the forced march. It is, at the same time, brilliant culture created in the crucible of the struggle to defend socialism as it frustrated the vicious moves of the U.S. imperialists to isolate and stifle the DPRK with the gun roar of Songun. Only when everybody earnestly learns from the revolutionary soldier culture, a valuable treasure in the era of Songun, and brings it into full bloom, can the revolutionary soldier spirit be accepted by the whole society and all the people as fighting spirit and remarkable leap forward effected in the all-out charge for building a great prosperous powerful nation.
    It is necessary for everybody to earnestly acquire the revolutionary soldier culture Kim Jong Il created in the way of endless inspection of units of the Korean Peoplefs Army and practice it in all fields.
    When singing songs and dancing, one should prefer to sing songs and perform dances the KPA servicepersons do with ardent patriotism, warm comradeship, optimism and revolutionary enthusiasm and strive hard to fully apply the revolutionary soldier spirit in one's work and life.

Dangerous U.S. Arms Buildup under Fire

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- The United States is becoming more undisguised in its attempt to militarily stifle the DPRK, further escalating the tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. bellicose forces recently decided to deploy an unmanned reconnaissance plane Hunter in south Korea. In particular, it is speeding up the introduction of the missile defence system (MD) while boosting the U.S.-Japan joint military cooperation under the absurd pretext of coping with the "missile threat" from the DPRK. They have buckled down to deploying "X Band Radar", modern type surveillance equipment, in Japan as part of the plan to introduce the MD.
    In this regard, Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in its signed commentary terms them deliberate and premeditated moves to drive the situation on the Korean Peninsula to the brink of a war as they are dangerous military moves aimed at a preemptive attack on the DPRK.
    These actions of the U.S. are nothing but hostile acts against the DPRK and peace because they only chill the good atmosphere of peace and reunification and reconciliation and cooperation prevailing on the Korean Peninsula, increase the tension and escalate the danger of military clash, the commentary notes, and goes on: Moreover, the U.S. bellicose forces are bolstering their aggressor troops in and around south Korea at a time when the talks are going on to solve the nuclear issue and put an end to the military stand-off between the DPRK and the U.S.
    This clearly proves what U.S. much-touted "peace on the Korean Peninsula" means. The U.S. would be well advised to prove its intention not to invade the DPRK in practice by giving up its scenario for aggression against it on the basis of a cool-headed point of view on the reality.

Cuban Embassy Officials Visit Korean Revolution Museum

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- Charge d'Affaires a.i. Caridad Adela Galan Pelegrino and staff members of the Cuban embassy here Tuesday visited the Korean Revolution Museum on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. The guests went round with keen interest relics and materials, being briefed on the fact that upon returning home in triumph after achieving the historic cause of national liberation, President Kim Il Sung laid down the line of building the party, the state and the army and wisely led the Korean people in their struggle to build an independent and sovereign state.
    At the end of the visit the charge d'affaires said that Kim Il Sung made long journeys of bloody battles to liberate Korea.

Reception Given by Palestinian Ambassador

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- Palestinian Ambassador to the DPRK Shaher Mohammed Abdlah hosted a reception at the embassy Tuesday in the run-up to the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. Present there on invitation were Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Rim Kyong Man, minister of Foreign Trade, Ryom Sun Gil, chairman of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and other officials concerned. The ambassador in his speech said he was glad to join the Korean people in celebrating the 60th anniversary of Korea's liberation. On this significant day I would like to recall the feats eternal President Kim Il Sung performed by achieving the great victory in the battles to liberate Korea, he noted, and continued:
    Under the leadership of Kim Jong Il the Korean people are maintaining the just stand on the international arena. We Palestinians have realized the might of the Songun politics of the DPRK, the might of the single-minded unity of the Korean people in their struggle to defend the country and the nation.
    The leadership and people of the DPRK have extended support and solidarity to the Palestinian people in their cause of building an independent state under the leadership of Chief of the National Authority Mahmoud Abbas. The friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries provided by President Yasser Arafat and Kim Il Sung who are immortal are growing stronger under the wise guidance of Kim Jong Il. He expressed the conviction that the Korean people, rallied close around Kim Jong Il, will register greater success in building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and reunify the country without fail by the concerned efforts of the Koreans free from foreign interference.

National Fine Art Exhibition Opens

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- A national fine art exhibition was opened at the Korean Art Gallery Tuesday with due ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. In an opening address Jong Ha Chol, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, said that on display at the exhibition are hundreds of pieces of art works depicting the great personalities of the three generals of Mt. Paektu and reflecting the heroic struggle of the army and the people of the DPRK.
    At the end of the ceremony the participants went round the art works on display. The participants expressed deep reverence for the peerlessly great persons, seeing a Korean painting "Looking over the Tuman River in Tears," which depicts the undying revolutionary life of President Kim Il Sung, the founder of socialist Korea and the eternal sun of Juche, and anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk, a sculpture "Long Journey of Bloody Battles Fought against Japan", oil paintings "Triumphal Song that Resounded Forth in Dongningxiancheng" and "Getting Aboard the First Naval Vessel" and other works.
    A Korean painting "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Inspects a Barley Field Visited by a Rich Harvest", a sculpture "On a Pass on the Forefront", an Acrylic painting "To Build a Land of Bliss in the Area of Mt. Paektu", an oil painting "Dropping in at a Field Mess for Soldiers" and other works help visitors deeply grasp the Songun revolutionary feats of Kim Jong Il.
    They were deeply impressed to see a Korean painting "Cheers in August", an oil painting "Our Society" and other works, Korean paintings "On the Way of Going to Work in the First Day of the Year" and "One Mind" and other works which portray the indefatigable efforts and optimistic life of the servicepersons and people all out to speed up the general advance for the Songun revolution, single-mindedly united around the headquarters of the revolution.
    Present at the ceremony were Choe Ik Gyu, minister of Culture, officials of national institutions, artists, labor innovators in factories and enterprises and working people here.

Exhibition of Photos on Mt. Paektu at Sunrise Held

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- An exhibition of photos showing Mt. Paektu, a holy mountain of the revolution, at sunrise was held at the Chollima House of Culture here on Tuesday to mark the 60th anniversary of Korea's liberation. Placed at the exhibition hall is a picture of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il standing on Mt. Paektu.
    Also on display are tens of photographs showing Mt. Paektu at sunrise in four seasons, which is associated with the undying feats and noble patriotic spirit of the three generals of Mt. Paektu.
    Present at the exhibition were delegations and delegates of international democratic organizations and friendship and solidarity organizations in regions and countries who are staying here to attend the Meeting Dedicated to the Great Persons of Mt. Paektu. On hand were Vice-President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyong Sop who is honorary chairman of the international preparatory committee for the meeting, acting Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol who is co-executive chairman of the international preparatory committee and chairman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with the World People, Vice-Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Jon Hyon Chan, officials concerned and working people in the city.

RS. Calls for Holding Fast to Three Charters of National Reunification

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- "Let us firmly stand by the three charters for national reunification, and achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country by dint of the concerted efforts of the whole nation!" is one of the joint slogans of the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea issued on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Party. It serves as a banner further inspiring all the Koreans to the struggle for national reunification. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a by-lined article.
    The three charters for national reunification are not only a banner of Korea's reunification but also the most just and realistic program for the struggle to achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country, the article notes, and goes on: The three charters serve as a banner of national reunification as they indicate the principles and ways to settle the issue of reunification of the country most smoothly and in the shortest span of time.
    The spirit of national independence is the basic idea and kernel of the three charters. That is why the three charters have great attraction, arousing the unanimous support from all the Koreans and spreading the hot air of reconciliation, unity and independent reunification across the Korean Peninsula.
    The three charters fully reflect the desire and demands of the nation as they clarify, through the most aboveboard and reasonable proposal, the actual possibilities and ways of national reunification.
    Today the Korean nation is glorifying the new history of independent reunification with the birth of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
    The joint declaration, which calls for achieving the independent and peaceful reunification of the country by the united efforts of the Korean nation, has been absolutely supported by all the Koreans as a milestone for independent reunification because it materialized the three charters clearly indicating the principles and ways for national independent reunification.
    All the Koreans in the north, the south and overseas should invigorate the movement for national reunification as required by the joint slogans, an embodiment of the patriotic stand and will for reunification, and thus open up a turning phase of independent reunification this significant year.

RS. on Korean People's Firm Peace-Loving Stand

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- The people of the DPRK will unite with all the peace-loving forces in the world to frustrate the offensive of the imperialists to suffocate the DPRK, achieve peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and dynamically wage the struggle to defend peace and security in Asia and the rest of the world. Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    The Korean people love peace more than any other people and the DPRK is a peace-loving state which identifies peace with the idea of its foreign policy.
    It is clearly manifested in the joint slogans issued by the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea. As the joint slogans clarified, the will and policy of the DPRK to consistently wage a resolute struggle to defend peace and realize the humankind's idea of peace remain unshakable. It is an intrinsic demand of our socialist society to implement the idea of peace. There are neither classes nor strata that show interest in a war and pursue it in our country where the popular masses have become the masters of the state and society and everything serves them.
    The Korean people experienced the disasters of the horrible war launched by the U.S. imperialists and are building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation despite the endless moves of the U.S. imperialists for aggression. For this type of people nothing is more precious than peace. Their firm peace-loving stand and struggle for it proceed from this conception. The peace the DPRK desires rules out slavish submission. It ardently loves peace and never wants a war but will exercise its sovereignty and strongly retaliate by force of arms against anyone coming to invade and conquer it.

Green House Environment Conditioner Developed in DPRK

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- The Forestry Engineering Institute under the Academy of Forestry has succeeded in developing an automatic environment conditioner for green house. The conditioner consists of ventilators for regulating temperature and humidity, an automatic wet fog sprayer and a sunshine regulator needed to cultivate saplings in an intensive and scientific way.
    It automatically senses and regulates such ecological environmental conditions as air, temperature and humidity of soil and light intensity in green houses so as to provide proper conditions for the growth of saplings.
    It, the structure of which is simple, has been successfully tried out at the Tongrim County Forest Conservation Office in North Phyongan Province and several other units. It guarantees the cultivation of saplings three or more times a year while saving much fund, manpower, water and electricity.

Korean Natural Environment Conservation Fund

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- The Korean Natural Environment Conservation Fund (KNECF) has begun its work for protecting the natural environment in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. In an interview with KCNA, Yun Thaek Yong, chairman of the KNECF, said that the fund is conducting such activities in a planned way as rendering financial and technical support to the work for covering the country with trees, protecting biodiversity, water resources, air environment and land resources and ensuring their sustainable development and utilization in a scientific way.
    It conducts exchange and cooperation with local and foreign institutions, organizations and individuals interested in natural environment conservation and international environment organs and funds. It also organizes the work for accepting their voluntary intellectual, financial and material assistance and cooperation and making an effective use of them.
    The fund welcomes constructive and friendly cooperation and exchange with Koreans at home and abroad and with international organizations and foreign individual figures. And it encourages all people to positively participate in the activities with their knowledge, strength and money.
    Assistance and cooperation of organizations, institutions and individuals are directed to any projects ranging from the natural environment protection and development activities in the country to facelift of their hometowns according to their will.
    It, established on March 9, Juche 94 (2005), has a standing council and secretariat. It sponsors consultations and symposiums on achievements made in the country's natural environment projects and sustainable development and utility and on objects which will enjoy investment in a prospective way and organizes field inspection and experience-sharing meetings.

Japan Urged to Redeem Its Past Crimes

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- The recent 57th meeting of the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights heard strong voices demanding Japan's redemption of its past crimes. This indicates that Japan's settlement of its past crimes is demanded not only by any individual country or person but by justice, human conscience and the times for global peace and progress. Minju Joson Wednesday says this in a signed commentary. The hideous crimes that left a disgraceful blot in the 20th century should be fully redeemed, the commentary holds, and goes on:
    Japan has neither moral value nor face to be a member of the international community, to say nothing of being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, in view of the gravity of its past crimes and its present wrong attitude toward its past wrongs. Japan is the world's biggest war criminal state that should be brought to the international human rights court to face a stern judgment by history.
    Japan has turned Rightist and reactionary politically and morally degenerate. It is the top priority for this country to sincerely apologize for its past crimes and make full compensation for them.
    Japan should promptly respond to the unanimous call of the international community for its settlement of past crimes.

More Foreign guests Here

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- Vice-President of the World Peace Council Kamal Hyder, who is secretary general of the Bangladeshi Peace Council, President of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers Jitendra Sharma and a delegation of the National Lawyers Guild of the United States arrived in Pyongyang today to attend the international meeting for supporting the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea to be held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. Earlier, on Tuesday arriving here by train to attend the international meeting and the Meeting Dedicated to the Great Persons of Mt. Paektu were Coordinator of the Philippines Asian Women's Human Rights Council Nelia Sancho who is executive chairwoman of the Philippines-DPRK Friendship Society, Vice-President of the Philippines Solidarity Committee for Peace and Reunification in the Korean Peninsula Angelita Bueser, a delegation of the Solidarity Committee "Korea Is One" of Belgium headed by Secretary General Catherine Dijon, and Zhang Qi, grandson of anti-Japanese revolutionary martyr Zhang Weihua.

Foreign Delegations Here

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Workers' Party of Turkey led by Yalcin Buyukdagli, member of the Political Bureau of its Central Committee, arrived here Tuesday. Also arriving was a Cambodian government cultural delegation led by Prince Sisowath Kulachad, secretary of State in the Ministry of Culture and Fine Art of Cambodia.

Foreign Delegations and Delegates Here to Attend Int'l Gathering

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- Representatives of international organizations, delegations and delegates of organizations in different countries arrived here on Tuesday to participate in the Meeting Dedicated to Great Persons of Mt. Paektu and the International Meeting for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea to be held on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. They are Robert Charvin, secretary general of the International Commission of Jurists supporting the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and honorary chairman of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea (CILRECO); Paulette Pierson, honorary chairman of CILRECO; Guy Dupre, secretary general of CILRECO; Marcia de Campos Pereira, president of the Women's International Democratic Federation; C.P. Mainali, general secretary of the C.C., Nepal Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) and chairman of the Nepalese National Memorial Committee for the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung; Rashed Khan Menon, chairman of the C.C., Workers' Party of Bangladesh and chairman of the Bangladesh Committee for Solidarity with the Korean People; Alberto Moreno, general secretary of the New Left Movement of Peru; a Mongolian friendship delegation led by the president of the Federation of Peace and Friendship Organizations; Reggie Ranatunge, honorary chairman of the Asian Regional Committee to Support Korea's Reunification; the secretary general of the African Regional Committee for Friendship and Solidarity with the Korean People; a delegation of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Committee to Support the Reunification of Korea led by Vice-Chairwoman Alva Chavez; Anders Kristensen, chairman of the Denmark-DPRK Friendship Association and secretary general of the Nordic Cooperation Committee for Friendship and Solidarity with the Korean People, and his party; the coordinating secretary of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization; Ziad Shaker Eljishi, chairman of the North American Committee against Zionism and Imperialism; a delegate of the International Action Centre; a delegation of the China Association for International Friendly Contact headed by Secretary General Chen Zuming; a delegation of the All India Indo-Korean Friendship Association led by Chairman P. Shiv Shankar; a delegation of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Committee of Nepal led by Deputy Secretary General Phanindra Raj Pant; Dipak Sharma, chairman of the Nepalese Young Poets' Forum and chairman of the Young Forces' Forum of Nepal; W.A. Dumindwardane, secretary general of the Sri Lanka-People's Korea Friendship Association; a delegation of the New Zealand-DPRK Society led by Chairman Don Borrie; Nuran Nabie, general secretary of the Bangladesh-Korea Friendship Association; a delegation of the Turkey-Korea Friendship Association led by the chairman; Sumiko Shimizu, representative of the Japanese Women's Society for Solidarity with the Korean Women; Masakazu Yokobori, secretary general of the Japan-Korea Society for Scientific and Educational Interchange and secretary general of the New Socialist Party of Japan; a delegation of the Japanese Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea led by its Representative Member Setsuo Yoshihara; Reiko Tatebe, representative of the Aomori Prefectural Society for Solidarity with the Korean Women; a delegation of the Association for Friendship with the Korean People headed by Chairman Alejandro Cal de Benos, which has its branches in at least 90 countries; Mikhail Gigov Stoyanov, secretary general of the Bulgarian Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification; a delegation of the Luxembourg-Korea Friendship Association led by Chairman Charles Doerner; Alexandr Brezhnev, representative of the Russian Union of Writers; Victor Yegorov, vice-chairman of the Karelia-DPRK Friendship Association of Russia; Russian composer Nikolai Sakharov and his party; V. Chikin, chairman of the Belarus-DPRK National Friendship Association Named after Kim Il Sung; a delegation of the Sandomierz-Opatow Branch of the Poland-Korea Association led by Chairman Stanislaw Dobek; a delegation of the Sweden-Korea Friendship Association headed by Chairman Christer Lundgren; Andre Aubry, delegate president of the France-Korea Friendship Association; Mohammed Arif, general secretary of the British Afro-Asian Solidarity Organization, and his party; Juda Tsootetsi, chairman of the South African Association of Friendship and Solidarity with the Korean People; Yehia Zakaria Khairallah, secretary general of the Arabic Association for Arts, Culture and Information of Egypt and secretary general of the Egypt-Korea Friendship Association; Hesson Kohovi, chairman of the Benin-Korea Amicable Association "Long Live Kim Il Sung, Supreme Leader"; the mayor of Roja in Ecuador and his party; Juan Jose Leon Vega, chairman of the Cuban Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification; Tani Baler Lopera, chairman of the Peruvian Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea; and Alejandro Rosales Sanchez, chairman of the Mexican Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification.
    Earlier, a delegation of the Australia-DPRK Association for Friendship and Cultural Exchange led by National Secretary General Raymond Ferguson arrived in Pyongyang by train.

Grand Mass Gymnastic and Artistic Performance "Arirang" to Be Presented

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- The grand mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang", the great masterpiece representing the new century, will be presented in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. Arirang is already well known to the world as an extravaganza rich in the ideological content and philosophical thought and flawless in its artistic representation.
    On this occasion not a few scenes of Arirang have been successfully re-depicted to add to the value of its original work. It makes a more profound artistic representation of the century-long history of the "Arirang" nation in which the Koreans who had undergone sufferings in the past has emerged a dignified and proud nation. It will, at the same time, demonstrate once again to the world the stamina of the Korean people marching toward a bright morrow full of confidence, fully showcasing the Juche-oriented culture and art that have brilliantly effloresced and developed under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.
    Arirang to be performed by tens of thousands of persons will be a gift to be presented with loyalty by its creators, artistes, youths and students to the 60th anniversaries of the foundation of the Workers' Party of Korea and the liberation of Korea. All the creators and performers have worked hard day and night to successfully complete the re-depiction of Arirang, bearing deep in mind the idea and the spirit contained in the joint slogans issued by the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the WPK which called for re-producing it into a smash hit representing the new century on the occasions of the 60th anniversaries of the WPK and the liberation of Korea.
    The re-depiction of the extravaganza was wound up in a matter of a few months and it will raise its curtain soon.
    The presentation of Arirang will begin with splendor at the May Day Stadium on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea and will run through October which will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the WPK.

Message of Greetings to Chadian President

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Wednesday sent a message of greetings to Idriss Deby, president of Chad, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of its independence. Hoping that the friendly relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms, the message wished him and the people of Chad great success in their work for national unity and the development of the country.

Friendly Ties Opened between DPRK and Ecuadorian Cities

     Nampho, August 10 (KCNA) -- An agreement on establishing sister city relations between Nampho, South Phyongan Province of the DPRK, and Loja, Loja Province of Ecuador, was signed here today. It was inked by Ri Ho Hyon, chairman of the Nampho City People's Committee, and the mayor of Loja City.

Russian Dancing Troupe Here

     Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) -- Russia's Beryozka dancing troupe led by Mira Koltsova, head of the State Academy Beryozka Dancing Troupe Named after N. S. Nadezhdina, arrived here today. It was met at the airport by Vice Department Director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea Kwon Hyok Bong, officials concerned and Councilor of the Russian embassy here Mikhail Vetrov.

Inter-Korean Working Contact for Cooperation in Marine Transport

     Munsan, August 10 (KCNA Correspondent) -- The fifth inter-Korean working contact for cooperation in marine transport was held in Munsan, south Korea, between August 8 and 10. At the contact, both sides discussed practical matters arising in fully implementing the bilateral agreement on marine transport which had already been made in the basic spirit of the June 15 joint declaration, and the appendix for its materialization. And they made public a joint press release.
    According to the press release, the north and the south of Korea agreed to start on August 15 the passage of the north's civilian ships through Jeju straits and each other's use of sea routes in their waters during direct sailing toward designated ports. They also decided to operate the cable communication between the marine authorities of the two sides through the Panmunjom line from August 12.
    The two sides agreed to make efforts to ensure within this year the long distance direct communication by use of equipment installed on ships so that ships of each side can exchange with their marine institutions or agencies or with marine authorities of both sides information necessary for their navigation during voyage or anchorage. They agreed to call the body for bilateral marine consultation "North-South Council for Marine Transport Cooperation" and fix the date and place of its first meeting through the exchange of documents.

For Spanish-speaking people

Rodong Sinmun denuncia intento de EE.UU. de ataque preventivo a RPDC

    @Pyongyang, 10 de agosto (ATCC) -- el diario Rodong Sinmun inserto en su edicion de hoy un comentario individual que va como sigue: @En estos dias, Estados Unidos agrava aun mas la situacion de la Peninsula Coreana exteriorizando abiertamente su intento de aplastar con las fuerzas armadas a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.
    En tal contexto, las fuerzas belicistas norteamericanas decidieron emplazar en el Sur de Corea el avion de reconocimiento no tripulado "Hunter".
    En particular, bajo el pretexto de hacer frente a la supuesta "amenaza de misiles" de la RPDC, estrechan la colaboracion con Japon en el terreno militar y aceleran la implantacion del sistema antimisiles. Como colofon de este proyecto, pusieron manos a la ubicacion en Japon del "radar X-band", nuevo y moderno aparato de vigilancia. Estas medidas devienen peligrosisimas acciones militares encaminadas a dar golpe preventivo a la RPDC y maniobras premeditadas que llevan la situacion de la Peninsula Coreana al borde de la guerra. Ademas constituyen un acto en contra de la RPDC y la paz para enrarecer el clima favorable a la paz, la reunificacion, la reconciliacion y la cooperacion entre el Norte y el Sur de la Peninsula Coreana, exacerbar la tension y agrandar el peligro de choque armado.
    Para colmo, esas fuerzas norteamericanas incrementan sus fuerzas armadas en el Sur de Corea y sus periferias coincidiendo con las conversaciones encaminadas a resolver el problema nuclear RPDC-EE.UU. y acabar con la confrontacion militar. Esto demuestra claramente que significa el pregon de ellas sobre la "paz de la Peninsula Coreana". EE.UU. debe probar con sus acciones practicas su compromiso de "no agredir a la RPDC al tener el justo punto de vista sobre la realidad".

Liquidacion de pasado criminal de Japon es requisito de la epoca

     Pyongyang, 10 de agosto (ATCC) -- En la 57a reunion de la subcomision de derechos humanos de la ONU efectuada recientemente, se intensificaron aun mas las exigencias por la liquidacion del pasado criminal de Japon. Esto demuestra que tal liquidacion no es la exigencia de unos paises y personas individuales, sino el requisito de la justicia, la conciencia humana y de la epoca para la paz y el desarrollo mundial. Asi senala el periodico Minju Joson en un comentario individual del dia 10 y continua: Han de ser liquidados cabalmente los crueles actos criminales que dejaron manchas vergonzosas en el siglo XX.
    Tanto a la luz de la gravedad criminal del pasado como en vista de su erronea posicion de hoy sobre el pasado, Japon no tiene valor moral ni honra para ocupar un puesto de miembro permanente del Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU ni ser un integrante de la sociedad internacional.
    Ese pais isleno es el Estado criminal de guerra de primera categoria que debe ser objeto de la severa sentencia de la historia en el tribunal internacional de derechos humanos.
    La tarea primordial de Japon, que se convirtio politicamente en reaccionario derechista y se corrompio moralmente, es hacer disculpa sincera e indemnizacion suficiente por su pasado criminal.
    Debe responder lo mas pronto posible a las exigencias unanimes de la sociedad internacional sobre la liquidacion de los crimenes pasados.