Lao Prime Minister on DPRK-Laos Friendly Relations

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- The traditional friendly relations between the two parties, governments and peoples are the excellent ones provided and cultivated by Comrade Kaysone Phomvihane respected by the Lao people and the great leader of the Korean people Comrade Kim Il Sung. Prime Minister Boungnang Vorachit who is member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, said this when meeting DPRK Ambassador to Laos Pak Myong Gu on Dec. 9.
    He noted that today these friendly relations steadily grow stronger under the deep care of Khamtay Siphandone and leader Kim Jong Il. The Workers' Party of Korea, the whole army and all the people have achieved many successes in their dynamic struggle to build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation, single-mindedly united around Kim Jong Il, he noted, and went on:
    We will boost the friendly relations between the two countries in the future, too.
    The Lao party, government and people are convinced that the fraternal Korean people who united close around Kim Jong Il will surely achieve the peaceful reunification of Korea free from the interference of foreign forces.
    Laos will voice invariable support and solidarity for the Korean people in their just cause to reunify the country.

Sports Tournament for Osandok Cup Opens

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- A sports tournament for Osandok Cup was opened on the occasion of the 88th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk. Ice hockey, ice figure skating, skiing, speed ice skating, short-track ice skating and bowling events will be held in Pyongyang, Samjiyon and other places. An opening ceremony took place at the Ice Rink on Dec. 15.
    An opening address of Mun Jae Dok, chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission, was followed by speeches. They called on all the players to register signal successes in the games by giving full play to their techniques they have cultivated in their day-to-day training. At the end of the ceremony an ice hockey match was held between men's teams of the Sports Group of the Pyongyang Railway Bureau and the Sports Group of the Ministry of Fisheries.

Polish Ambassador Hosts Friendly Meeting

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- Polish Ambassador to the DPRK Roman Iwaszkiewicz arranged a friendly meeting at the embassy on Dec. 15 on the occasion of the independence day of Poland and the New Year, Juche 95 (2006). The participants in the meeting watched a Polish feature film and went round printed matters introducing Poland. They talked to one another about the need to boost the friendly relations between the DPRK and Poland.
    Present there on invitation were Kim Yong Ho, vice-chairman of the Korea-Poland Friendship Association, and members of the association, teachers and students of Korea-Poland Friendship Pyongyang Changjon Middle School.

Friendly Meeting Held with Members of Delegation of Jane Goodall Institute

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting with the members of the delegation of the Jane Goodall Institute on a visit to the DPRK was held at the Taedonggang Club for the Diplomatic Corps on Dec. 15. @The participants in the meeting exchanged conversations on the education in the environmental protection at schools, the activities of schoolchildren's care-for-the-homeland teams and importance of the environmental protection issue and enjoyed an art performance given by students of Pyongyang Ryulgok Middle School.
    @Present at the meeting on invitation were the members of the delegation of the Jane Goodall Institute.
    @On hand were Ri Myong Guk, vice-director of the Pyongyang International New Technique and Economic Information Center, and others.

Friendship Meeting with Foreign Women Here

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- A friendship meeting between officials of the Central Committee of the Korean Democratic Women's Union and women of foreign embassies and missions of international organizations here was held at the Taedonggang Club for the Diplomatic Corps on Dec. 15 on the occasion of the 88th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk. Speakers said that Kim Jong Suk is the anti-Japanese war hero who firmly defended President Kim Il Sung politically and ideologically at the risk of her life with her most transparent revolutionary outlook on the leader and a paragon of all the women who devoted her all to implementing the ideas and line of Kim Il Sung till the last moment of her life.
    They referred to the undying revolutionary feats performed by Kim Jong Suk who gave birth to and brought up Kim Jong Il as the future of Korea. They said that the Korean people are firmly defending socialism of Juche with the might of the Songun politics and confidently advancing toward a great prosperous powerful nation, holding Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.
    The participants in the meeting enjoyed an art performance given by the art squad of the Central Committee of the Korean Democratic Women's Union. An art performance was also given by Korean and foreign children at the meeting.
    Present on invitation were women of foreign embassies and missions of international organizations here.
    On hand were Pak Sun Hui, chairperson of the Central Committee of the union, and officials of its Central Committee.

Anniversary of Kim Il Sung's Work Marked

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- A meeting took place on Dec. 15 to mark the 40th anniversary of President Kim Il Sung's famous work "On Producing Good Documentary Films". Secretary of the Primary Party Committee of the Korean Documentary and Scientific Film Studio Kye Chung Nam in a report said that the publication of Kim Il Sung's work was a historic event which opened a new epochal occasion in creating Juche-based documentary films and recording historic materials. He referred to the fact that by publishing the work Kim Il Sung led Korean documentary films to discharge their noble mission and duty for the era and history.
    The work is a highly important work and an immortal inspiring banner which brightly indicated the way of building and developing Juche-based documentary films, the reporter said, pointing out that Kim Il Sung performed undying feats in strengthening and development of documentary films with his field guidance of more than ten times to the film studio and unremitting leadership in the whole period of his revolutionary life. The reporter noted that leader Kim Jong Il set forth the tasks to create documentary films so as to show better the new development of the DPRK which has turned into a socialist industrial state and energetically led the work of fulfilling the tasks.
    He stressed the need for the officials, creators and employees of the film studio to successfully carry out the highly important tasks laid down by Kim Il Sung in the work and embody the original ideas, theories, method and system of creation provided by Kim Jong Il in leading the work of creating documentary films.
    Present at the meeting were Kim Jin Song, minister of Culture, officials concerned and officials, creators and employees of the film studio.

Fruitful Year of Juche-oriented Literature and Art

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- This is a fruitful year in the creation of the Juche-oriented literature and art in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The grand gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang", which was reproduced as a monumental masterpiece of the new century, was given amid deep interest of peoples at home and abroad. The extravaganza depicted the by-gone days full of ordeals the Korean nation underwent and its present prosperity with an epochal canvas, fully displaying the developed features of the Juche-oriented literature and art.
    An art performance "The Blue Sky of My Country" was given in celebration of the 60th birthday of the Workers' Party of Korea. It showed well the literature and art in the Songun era with its lofty ideological content and high artistic value.
    The combined art performance of art circle members of ministries and national institutions celebrating the February 16 holiday, 8th combined performance of art circles of Korean People's Army servicepersons' families, combined performance of participants in the 33rd national art festival of agricultural working people and many other art performances fully demonstrated the flowering popular art.
    Many poems and songs including a long poem "Cheer in February", epic "Long Live the Workers' Party of Korea!" and song "General Is Ever-victorious Commander" have been created. Hero Ri Su Bok's poem "For the Fatherland, Only One", which is popular among the people, was composed to be a famous song in the Songun era.
    More than 90 art pieces out of over 2,000 works displayed at the national art shows were registered as national treasures. Thirteen sketches of the DPRK won prizes at the international art (sketch) exhibition held in Germany and Korean paintings "Lake Chon on Mt. Paektu" and "The Nam River in Winter" were awarded gold prizes, the top ones, at the 8th Beijing International Art Exposition.
    Korean acrobatic piece "See-saw and swing" was conferred on Golden Prize, the top prize of the 21st Rome International Acrobatic Festival, and the medal of the Italian Parliament. And aerial stunt "Multi-flying" earned Golden Clown, the top prize, at the 29th Monte Carlo International Acrobatic Festival. DPRK student Yun Jin Bok placed the first at the international concours (piano) "Art of the 21st Century" while Violinist Mun Kyong Jin took the first place at the Kaneti International Violin Concours and won a prize at the 3rd Moscow International Paganini Concours.

Medical Service Centers Updated

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has taken steps to update a lot of medical service centers throughout the country this year. The Pyongyang Maternity Hospital, the hospital attached to Pyongyang University of Medicine and other central hospitals have been furnished with modern medical facilities.
    People's hospitals have been reconstructed and their operating theatres equipped with latest facilities in tens of cities and counties including Hoeryong City and Myonggan County, North Hamgyong Province, and Unryul County, South Hwanghae Province.
    Similar work has been done in many ri-people's hospitals including those in Suhung-ri of Hamju County, Wonhwa-ri of Phyongwon County, Ssangryong-ri of Kilju County and Ripsok-ri of Mundok County.
    Kim Jong Suk and Sijungho Sanatoriums, Talchon Honoured Disabled Soldiers' Sanatorium and other spa treatment and prevention centers across the country were also facelifted.
    Working people are given medical treatment at the reconstructed and updated medical service centers thanks to the socialist health system and the popular health policies of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government, which look after their lives and health.

"Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty" Termed Illegal

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- The "Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty" was the most fraudulent document aimed at removing Korea from the surface of the earth and reducing the Koreans to pitiful slaves of Japan. This was clear historic evidence that laid bare the sinister, crafty and shameless nature of the Japanese imperialists. Rodong Sinmun Friday observes this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    The treaty fabricated by the Japanese imperialists was a totally illegal document because they regarded the feudal government of the Ri Dynasty having no diplomatic right to independently conclude any treaty with a foreign country at that time as a contracting party.
    It was also illegal as it was concluded in a coercive manner in face of military threat and a sheer fabrication because it completely ignored the procedures necessary for concluding an international treaty.
    The above-said feudal government was deprived of its diplomatic right by the Japanese imperialists under the "1905 Five-Point Treaty". It was, therefore, clear to everyone that any country deprived of diplomatic right is not in a position to conclude any treaty with other countries legally. The Japanese imperialists amassed at least 2,600 aggressor troops in the area of Seoul from May to July, 1910 with an aim to brutally suppress the possible anti-Japanese actions of the Korean people around the time Korea was "annexed" to Japan and carry out this process with ease by threatening the feudal ruling quarters of the Ri dynasty by force of arms and bringing them to their knees.
    The treaty was a false document as it lacked the ratification by the head of state of Korea, the most important element in the publicly recognized procedures for concluding any international treaty at that time. The Japanese imperialists thus wantonly violated the territory and sovereignty of the Korean nation by force of this fraudulent treaty. This crime remains unpardonable no matter how much water may flow under the bridge.

North Side's Delegation Comes Back

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- The north side's delegation led by Kwon Ho Ung, chief councilor of the Cabinet, came back here today after participating in the 17th north-south ministerial talks held on Jeju Islet of south Korea. It was met at the airport by Kim Yong Jin, minister of Education, Jong Un Op, chairman of the National Economic Cooperation Committee, and officials concerned.

Kim Jong Il Enjoys Art Performance

     Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, together with servicepersons stationed in Pyongyang enjoyed an art performance "Blue Sky over My Country". The performance was jointly prepared by the prestigious art organizations of the army and society including the State Merited Chorus of the KPA, the Mansudae Art Troupe, the KPA Song and Dance Ensemble and the Phibada Opera Troupe on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the WPK. It makes a grand epic representation of the epoch-making changes that have taken place under the wise guidance of the invincible WPK and the heroic spirit of Songun Korea which has dynamically accelerated the general advance of the Songun revolution with the might of the perfected unity of the party, the army and the people.
    The performance began with mixed duet and chorus "Blue Sky over My Country." Its repertoire included colorful numbers such as men's chorus "We Cherish Our Single-Minded Loyalty," chorus "Cantata to Marshal Kim Il Sung", men's chorus "We Will Never Forget Those Days", Oungum ensemble and pangchang "Always with Guiding Star," women's duet and chorus "Song Devoted to Comrade Kim Jong Il" and chorus "Long Live the Workers' Party of Korea".
    Kim Jong Il acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers of the performers and audience and congratulated the artistes on their successful performance. He expressed great satisfaction over the splendid performance replete with the spirit of the era given by them and thanked all the creators and performers on behalf of the WPK Central Committee and the DPRK National Defence Commission.
    Among the audience were Vice Marshal of the KPA Kim Yong Chun, member of the NDC of the DPRK and chief of the KPA General Staff, Vice Marshal of the KPA Kim Il Chol, member of the NDC of the DPRK and minister of the People's Armed Forces, staff members of the KPA Supreme Command and other general officers.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il dirige sobre terreno la Fabrica de Alimentos de Ryongsong

    @Pyongyang, 16 de diciembre (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, dirigio sobre terreno los talleres nuevamente construidos en la Fabrica de Alimentos de Ryongsong. Bajo la atencion carinosa del Dirigente, en esta fabrica se pusieron en funcionamiento los dos talleres construidos nuevamente para la produccion de cerveza y de productos lacteos.
    El Dirigente escucho la explicacion ante el dibujo panoramico y recorrio los procesos productivos de los talleres para hacer conocimiento del estado de construccion y produccion.
    Al ver los edificios cuya calidad constructiva es de nivel supremo y los procesos productivos dotados de los equipos ultramodernos, se mostro muy satisfecho de que los constructores, con el espiritu de servicio abnegado al pueblo, levantaron magnificamente una moderna base de produccion alimenticia. Al ver los diversos productos que no cesaban de salir, se mostro regocijado de que nuestros habitantes llegaron a disfrutarse de alimentos de mejor calidad. Subrayo la necesidad de normalizar en alto nivel la produccion en los modernos talleres creados nuevamente e indico las tareas que se presentan en la administracion y gestion de estos.
    Es importante ante todo asegurar con suficiencia materias primas y materiales necesarios para normalizar la produccion en estos nuevos talleres de gran capacidad, dijo.
    Hay que prodigar atencion primordial a la administracion tecnica y el mantenimiento de los equipos porque los talleres estan dotados de los equipos sofisticados, senalo y anadio que para este fin se debe atribuir una gran fuerza a la labor de elevar el nivel tecnico y de calificacion de los productores y al mismo tiempo, fortalecer la investigacion sobre esta rama y aplicar activamente la tecnica avanzada.
    Para propiciar la seguridad higienica de los alimentos, deben aceptar el metodo de procesamiento a base de los adelantos de la ciencia y tecnica y mantener con aseo el interior y exterior de la fabrica de modo que no haya focos de proliferacion de microbios, indico.
    Son importantes tambien en la produccion de alimentos el empaque y la marca, asi que es preciso elevar la calidad del embalaje y disenar bien la marca conforme al gusto de los consumidores, dijo.
    La fabrica -continuo- debe establecer con acierto la estrategia de gestion y la empresarial conforme al principio de asegurar el rendimiento real y realizar efectivamente por etapas la modernizacion y la cientificacion de los procesos de produccion, rebajar sistematicamente el costo de produccion y suministrar al pueblo mayor cantidad de alimentos baratos de buena calidad.
    Le acompanaron los secretarios del CC del PTC Kim Kuk Thae y Kim Ki Nam; el primer subjefe de departamento del CC del PTC Ri Jae Il y los generales de ejercito del EPC Hyon Chol Hae y Pak Jae Gyong.

Un ano de pleno florecimiento de literatura y arte jucheanos

     Pyongyang, 16 de diciembre (ATCC) -- El 2005 en Corea se registro como un ano de pleno florecimiento de la literatura y el arte jucheanos. La funcion gimnastico-artistica masiva "Arirang", redescrita como una obra monumental del nuevo siglo y ofrecida en medio de gran interes del pais y extranjero, mostro sin reserva el aspecto de desarrollo de la literatura y el arte jucheanos al reflejar con cuadros epicos el martirio de ayer y la prosperidad de hoy de la nacion coreana.
    La funcion artistica "Cielo azul de mi pais" de coros de militares y civiles dedicada al 60o aniversario de la fundacion del Partido del Trabajo de Corea sintetizo la literatura y el arte de la epoca del Songun con el alto nivel ideologico y la descripcion rica y tipica.
    La funcion de los grupos artisticos de ministerios y organismos centrales por el 16 de febrero, la VIII edicion de la funcion de Grupos Artisticos de Esposas de Oficiales del EPC, el 33o Festival Artistico Nacional de Trabajadores Agricolas y otras escenas demostraron fehacientemente la vitalidad del arte masivo en florecimiento.
    Se crearon y divulgaron este ano la larga poesia "Aclamaciones de febrero", la epopeya "!Viva el Partido del Trabajo de Corea!", la cancion "El General es el invencible Comandante genial" y otras numerosas obras. En Particular, la poesia "Por la patria unica" de Ri Su Bok que esta guardada eternamente en el corazon del pueblo coreano resono como una melodia famosa de la epoca del Songun.
    Mas de 90 de mas de 2, 000 obras presentadas en las exposiciones nacionales de bellas artes se registraron como tesoros nacionales, 13 obras fueron premiadas en la Exposicion Internacional de Bellas Artes (esbozo) en Alemania, y las pinturas al estilo coreano "Lago Chon del monte Paektu" y "El invierno del rio Nam" recibieron el Premio de Oro de la VIII Exposicion Internacional de Artes de Beijing.
    En el XXI Festival Acrobatico Internacional de Roma se concedieron el "Premio de oro" -premio del primer lugar- y la "medalla del Parlamento de Italia" a la pieza coreana "El tablon de balancin y el columpio" y en el 29o Festival Acrobatico Internacional de Monte Carlo se otorgo el "premio de oro" a la obra coreana "Vuelo multilateral".
    La pianista Yun Jin Bok ocupo el primer lugar en el Concurso Internacional "Artes del siglo XXI", y el violinista Mun Kyong Jin obtuvo el primer lugar en el Concurso Internacional de Violin de Kaneti y se premio en el III Concurso Internacional Paganini de Moscu.