Floral Basket to Kim Jong Il

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with a floral basket by family members of Chinese anti-Japanese revolutionary martyr Zhang Weihua on the occasion of the New Year Juche 95 (2006). It was conveyed to an official concerned on Thursday by Zhang Qi, grandson of Zhang Weihua, now staying in the DPRK.

Demolition of Concrete Wall Urged

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- The Sri Lanka Committee for the Reunification of Korea issued a statement on Dec. 22 strongly demanding the immediate demolition of the concrete wall, a symbol of division and confrontation. Recalling that the concrete wall more cursed than the "security barrier" built by Israel still remains on the Korean Peninsula, the statement said it is a bitter insult to humankind to keep the nation with one and the same language and custom into two.
    The statement bitterly denounced the act of keeping the wall blocking the cause of reunification and the unity of the Korean nation as a violation of human rights in the civilized world.

Repeal of "North Korean Human Rights Act" in U.S. Demanded

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- More than 1,800 members of religious organizations of south Korea including the Council of Christian Churches demanded the repeal of the "North Korean Human Rights Act" in the United States, according to MBC of south Korea. In the "declaration on the situation in 2005" issued on Dec. 26 they said that the act seriously distorted the core of human rights, holding that the act be abolished without delay.

Reception Hosted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a reception on Thursday evening on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the victory of the Cuban revolution. Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun in his speech warmly congratulated the Cuban people on the day of the victory of the Cuban revolution which brought about a dramatic turn in hewing out their destiny. The victory of the Cuban revolution marked a historic event that paved the way for a worthy life of the Cuban people who were subject to poverty and the absence of rights, he noted, and continued:
    The fraternal Cuban people have firmly defended the gains of the revolution and victoriously advanced along the path of socialism under the leadership of Fidel Castro Ruz, while frustrating the heinous political pressure and blockade of the U.S.
    The Korean people will as ever make positive efforts to boost the ties of friendship and cooperation with socialist Cuba in all fields and always join hands with the Cuban people in the just cause of defending socialism from imperialism in the future, too.
    Cuban Ambassador e.p. to the DPRK Ruben Perez Valdes said in his speech that the victory of the Cuban revolution marked a historic event that gave hope to the people who were groaning under the yoke of the oppressors and paved the way for socialist construction.
    He noted that the Cuban people have made great successes in various fields despite the U.S. imperialists' persistent moves to isolate and stifle Cuba. He emphasized that the two peoples are dynamically advancing to achieve sure victory under the leadership of Supreme Commander Fidel Castro Ruz and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Il.

U.S. Hit for Raising Suspicion about "Counterfeit Notes"

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- The Reunification Solidarity for the Implementation of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration and Peace on the Korean Peninsula reportedly held a "press conference to denounce the U.S. for raising a groundless suspicion about counterfeit notes in the north" in the vicinity of the U.S. embassy in Seoul on Dec. 26. At the press conference speakers said that "counterfeit notes" racket against the north was groundless, terming this a part of dastard moves of the U.S. to hamstring the six-party talks.
    A press release read out at the press conference stated that the U.S.-raised suspicion about the "counterfeit notes" is nothing but a fabrication to stifle the north. It warned that if the U.S. does not stop its hostile policy toward the north, it would face the vigorous struggle of the 70 million fellow countrymen and would be brought to a severe trial of history.
    An open questionnaire to the U.S. government and the U.S. ambassador in Seoul was read out at the press conference.

Polish Ambassador Has Interview with Reporters

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- Polish Ambassador to the DPRK Roman Iwaszkiewicz Thursday had an interview with reporters at the Taedonggang Club for the Diplomatic Corps on the occasion of the independence day of Poland and the New Year Juche 95 (2006). On hand were media persons in Pyongyang.
    In the interview the ambassador referred to the Polish political situation, foreign policy and others.
    Speaking of the development of relations between Poland and the DPRK, he added that they would make efforts to develop friendly relations between the two countries.
    He answered the questions raised by reporters.
    At the end of the interview the participants went round materials introducing Poland.

Athletes of DPRK Prove Successful in 2005

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- Athletes of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have proved successful in national and international contests this year. Local sports contests including those for Paektusan Cup, Mangyongdae Cup and Pochonbo Torch Cup were held in the year to improve the sports technique.
    Athlete of the April 25 Sports Group Kim Hyon Ung who participated in the national sports festival celebrating October 10 renewed the world record in the event of centre fire pistol. And national records of various events including weight-lifting and field and track were broken at tournaments. Korean sportspersons distinguished themselves at international tournaments, demonstrating the honor of Songun Korea.
    Labor Hero and People's Sportswoman Kye Sun Hui, Kim Il Sung Prize laureate, placed the first in the 2005 World Judo Championships held in Cairo in September for the third time in succession.
    Korean players also came first in total by bagging four trophy cups and 26 medals including 17 gold medals at the 14th World Taekwon-do Championships. They have retained the championship for the tenth in succession.
    In March, June and October female pro-boxers captured and retained the championships of the IFBA and WBCF and got qualification for them. Korean sportspersons won nearly 100 trophies and more than 200 gold and other medals at the East Asia football championships, 23rd Universiad, 2005 Asia judo championships and 60-odd other international contests.
    What is noticeable is that potentials were displayed for developing football and other events.
    The male juvenile footballers displayed their skills at the 11th world youth (under the age of 17) football championships. They took the first place at the group "N" for the 12th Asian Youth (under the age of 17) Football Championships and thus obtained the qualification for the next stage contests of the championships.
    Athletes snatched many gold medals in such international championships as the 7th Asian Juvenile Weightlifting Championships, 18th Youth Male Weightlifting Championships, 14th East Asian Juvenile Table-tennis Championships and other international tournaments.

Health Homepage Opens

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- The Hospital attached to Pyongyang University of Medicine has opened health homepage "Jangsaeng". The homepage helps people get hygienic common knowledge and manage their health by themselves in a scientific and technical way. It consists of 7 parts -- "Diseases families should know", "Possible symptoms in life and counter-measures", "Special treatment of Hospital attached to Pyongyang University of Medicine", "Long life in good health and natural remedies", "Common drugs to be used in families" and "Information of new technologies".
    Now more than 1,500 data have been input into the homepage. It opens all the day round.
    The homepage, the first of its kind in the public health sector of the country, is operated by the Public Health Management Study Room of the hospital. Its members are preparing to operate computer notice board and consultation page.

KCNA Blasts Japan's Political Row over "Abduction Issue"

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- The ultra-right conservative forces of Japan are persisting in their anti-DPRK despicable row over its "abduction issue". They held a "world meeting urging repatriation of families of those abducted to the north" in Tokyo on Dec. 22 at which they stressed the need to "intensify international solidarity" and "make joint efforts" allegedly to prevent the "tragedy" of the above-said families. In a nutshell, the "meeting" was aimed at wooing international human rights organizations and other organizations to put pressure on the DPRK over the "abduction issue". This is an undisguised challenge to the trend of the times as it is nothing but political rowdyism of the ultra-right conservative forces of Japan who do not know even where they should stand.
    At the DPRK-Japan inter-governmental contacts made in Beijing a few days after the meeting, both sides agreed to take measures to settle the pending issues including the issue for normalizing the bilateral relations at an early date in line with the spirit and the basic principle of the Pyongyang Declaration. The conservative forces of Japan have kept staging the worn-out "abduction drama," swimming against the overall trend of the international community towards reconciliation. This is designed to divert elsewhere the world opinion following the stand and attitude of the two countries while positively assessing the moves to improve the bilateral relations.
    When their attempt to fake up the second "abduction case" involving several countries proved futile, they busied themselves with hosting the "Osaka meeting", the "Tokyo meeting" and other meetings one after another in a bid to "put international pressure" on the DPRK. They are zealously toeing the U.S. line to internationally isolate and stifle the DPRK after listing it as a "terrorist state" under the pretext of the "abduction issue".
    It is ridiculous for Japan, a political dwarf, to curry favor with the U.S., its master, and get a sort of political reward from the latter. It is quite preposterous and unreasonable for Japan to seek to "internationalize the abduction issue" as it has heavy historical responsibility and moral obligation to settle its past crimes.
    Japan has not yet redeemed the hideous crimes it has perpetrated by forcibly drafting and abducting Koreans in the last century. However, it has not done away with its criminal disposition of abducting people as evidenced by the recent abduction of An Phil Hwa, a Japanese woman in the DPRK. The Japanese ultra-right forces are so brazen-faced as to insist only on the already settled "abduction issue" in a bid to get on the nerves of the DPRK, keeping mum about their inglorious "past." This behavior cannot be construed otherwise than a deliberate attempt to block the forthcoming inter-governmental contact.
    If Japan truly wants to make a policy switchover in the hope of warming up the bilateral relations as desired by the international community and the two peoples in the new century, it should stop the "abduction" racket at once.

Kim Jong Il Sends Floral Basket to Cuban Embassy

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il sent a floral basket to the Cuban embassy here on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Cuban revolution triumph. The floral basket was handed to Ruben Perez Valdes, Cuban ambassador to the DPRK, on Friday.

Floral Baskets to Cuban Embassy

     Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with a basket of flowers and a congratulatory letter by the military attaches corps here on the occasion of the New Year Juche 95 (2006). They were conveyed to an official concerned today by Giraldo Abreu Morales, military attache of the Cuban embassy, on behalf of the corps.

Kim Jong Il Inspects KPA Combined Unit

     Pyongyang, December 30 (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, inspected KPA Combined Unit 953. After seeing the records of victories which show the proud path covered by the unit, he said the shining exploits performed by the People's Army are associated with the heroic feats performed by this combined unit.
    He highly praised the servicepersons of the unit for having implemented any order in a do-or-die spirit, saying that they have carried out without fail any difficult task assigned to them by the Party.
    Inquiring after the soldiers whom President Kim Il Sung met whenever he gave field guidance to the unit, he was very pleased to learn that they have grown to be able commanding officers and officials.
    Acquainting himself with soldiers' cultural and emotional life, he said that songs are heard from those engaged in struggles and those who like to sing songs are bound to emerge victorious.
    He called on the servicepersons of the KPA to sing songs of revolution and struggle more loudly and dynamically speed up the general advance of Songun revolution in order to win a final victory.
    He watched the training of servicepersons of the unit and set forth tasks to be fulfilled to put the training on a scientific and regular basis, noting that the commanding officers and soldiers have been trained as a-match-for-a-hundred fighters by strictly observing the four principles of training laid down by the Party at all times and thoroughly implementing them in the combat and political training.
    Going round supply service facilities and the compound of the barracks, he highly praised the unit for its achievements made in its management. The next leg of his inspection was a sub-unit of the combined unit.
    He took deep care of the soldiers' service and living, making the rounds of various places.
    Watching the imposing appearance of the sub-unit as a regular force, he said that one can clearly notice the discipline of the unit which has grown strong to be a matchless combat contingent thanks to a high level of discipline and intensive training.
    Iron military discipline is the source of combat power and a sure guarantee for wining victory in battles, he added.
    He gave the servicepersons of the combined unit a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle as gifts before having a photo session with them. He was accompanied by KPA Generals Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong.

For Spanish-speaking people

Banquete por el 47o aniversario del triunfo de la Revolucion Cubana

     Pyongyang, 30 de diciembre (ATCC) -- El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea ofrecio el dia 29 por la noche un banquete en honor del 47o aniversario del triunfo de la Revolucion Cubana. El canciller coreano Paek Nam Sun, en su discurso, felicito calurosamente el 47o aniversario del citado triunfo que atrajo un viraje fundamental en la forja del destino del pueblo cubano y destaco que esta victoria fue un evento historico que abrio el camino de la verdadera vida al pueblo cubano que gemia de sufrimiento en la miseria y la falta de derechos.
    Apunto que hoy, el hermano pueblo cubano, bajo la direccion de Fidel Castro Ruz, defiende firmemente las conquistas de la revolucion y avanza triunfalmente por el camino del socialismo frustrando la perversa presion politica y el bloqueo de EE.UU. y subrayo que en el futuro tambien, el pueblo coreano se esforzara activamente por ampliar y desarrollar en todas las esferas los lazos de la amistad y cooperacion con Cuba socialista y avanzara siempre mano a mano con el pueblo cubano en el cumplimiento de la justa causa para oponerse al imperialismo y defender el socialismo. A su vez, el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de la Republica de Cuba en Corea, Ruben Perez Valdes, dijo que el triunfo de la Revolucion Cubana fue un acontecimiento historico que dio la luz a los pueblos que gemian atados de las cadenas de la opresion y dejo abierto el camino de la construccion socialista.
    Senalo que el pueblo cubano logra grandes exitos en varias esferas aun en medio de incesantes maquinaciones de aislamiento y aplastamiento de los imperialistas norteamericanos.
    Subrayo que bajo la direccion del Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz y el Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea Kim Jong Il, los pueblos de los dos paises marchan con vigor hacia el triunfo firme.

Deporte coreano en 2005

    @ Pyongyang, 30 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Este ano, los deportistas coreanos alcanzaron muchos exitos en las competencias nacionales e internacionales. En el ambito nacional, se entablaron respectivos torneos deportivos por los premios "Paektusan", "Mangyongdae" y "Antorcha Pochombo" y otros que contribuyeron en gran medida a la elevacion del nivel tecnico de los deportistas coreanos.
    En particular, los jugadores que participaron en el "Festival Deportivo Nacional por el 10 de Octubre (dia de fundacion del Partido del Trabajo de Corea)" implantaron nuevos records nacionales en varias disciplinas como levantamiento de pesas y atletismo.
    Sobresaliente actuacion mostro aqui Kim Hyon Ung, del Equipo Deportivo de Defensa Nacional 25 de Abril, al romper el record mundial en el tiro de pistola de fuego central.
    Tambien en las citas internacionales los anfitriones exaltaron el honor de Corea del Songun (priorizacion militar) dando pruebas de sus tecnicas adquiridas al derramar un rio de sudor en entrenamientos cotidianos.
    Kye Sun Hui, laureada con el "Premio Kim Il Sung", heroina del trabajo y deportista del pueblo, se hizo triple campeona en el Campeonato Mundial de Judo 2005, transcurrido en El Cairo de Egipto, al reeditar sus hazanas acumuladas en las anteriores ediciones de 2001 y 2003. En tanto, en el XIV Campeonato Mundial de Taekwon-Do los muchachos coreanos terminaron en el primer lugar de la clasificacion general con 4 trofeos y 26 medallas, de ellas 17 doradas. De esta forma, los taekwondocas lograron hasta este ano 10 victorias consecutivas.
    Especial referencia merecen las boxeadoras profesionales quienes en marzo, junio y octubre conquistaron y defendieron sus titulos de la Asociacion Internacional de Boxeo Femenino (IFBA en siglas inglesas) y del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo Femenino (WBCF en ingles) y se clasificaron para las peleas por otros titulos.
    Llegan a cerca de 100 y a mas de 200 los trofeos y medallas de tres colores que ganaron los deportistas en mas de 60 competencias internacionales, inclusive el Campeonato de Futbol de Asia Oriental, la 23a Universiada y el Campeonato Asiatico de Judo 2005.
    Lo que llama la atencion es que este ano se dieron senales que prometen el desarrollo de futbol y otros juegos.
    Los futbolistas, que habian jugado muy bien en el XI Campeonato Mundial de Futbol de Juniores sub. 17 efectuado en Peru, ocuparon el primer lugar en las eliminatorias por la llave N, celebradas en noviembre en Pyongyang, para ganar boletos a la duodecima edicion del evento. Ademas, otros jovenes abrieron un horizonte mas amplio y prometedor al deporte coreano al conquistar numerosas preseas doradas en el VII Campeonato Asiatico de Levantamiento de Pesas de Juniores, el XVIII Campeonato Asiatico Juvenil de Levantamiento de Pesas (M), el XIV Torneo Infantil de Tenis de Mesa de Asia Oriental, etc.