Ceremony Held at Cuban School

     Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- A ceremony of laying a floral basket before the portrait of President Kim Il Sung was held at the Kim Il Sung Economic Special School in Cuba on Dec. 31 last year on the occasion of the New Year. Present there were the chairman of the Cuban Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification, the principal and the teaching staff of the school. The participants laid the floral basket before the portrait of the President at the school building and paid homage to him.

U.S. Urged to Fulfill Its Commitments before Calling for Resumption of Six-Party Talks

     Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The United States is chiefly to blame for having blocked the resumption of the six-party talks. The U.S. would be well advised to fulfill its commitments before asking someone to come out for the talks. This would be a practical measure for the resumption of the talks. Rodong Sinmun Tuesday says this in a signed commentary. It goes on:
    The U.S. only insists that the DPRK should come out for the talks as early as possible. This is, however, nothing but sophism intended to escape the daily increasing criticism and condemnation of the international community and defy its just demand.
    The U.S. sanctions and pressure prevented the DPRK from going to the talks and the former has made dastardly efforts to shift the responsibility for this on to the DPRK.
    The U.S. is escalating its pressure upon the DPRK, floating the misinformation that the September 19 joint statement stipulates only the commitments to be honored by the DPRK. The U.S. wanton violation and distortion of the joint statement have further strained the hostile relations between the DPRK and the U.S., far from opening the bilateral ties of confidence, and rendered the prospect of the talks gloomy.
    The U.S. should, first of all, lift its sanctions against the DPRK, the main factor of scuttling the talks, before talking about the resumption of the talks. The prospect of the resumption of the talks entirely depends on the U.S. behavior.

GNP's Political Plot under Fire

     Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The gentry of the Grand National Party has gone mad since the Uri Party, a ruling party of south Korea, passed the "bill on revising the law on private schools" which had been pushed forward as one of the "bills for four reforms" through the "National Assembly" on December 9 last year. Its hooligans are kicking up a row, blustering that the "bill" is aimed at "anti-U.S., pro-north education". They have gone the lengths of asserting that it is a "bill for socialist reds" to make private schools "groups for a revolutionary struggle" by infiltrating "pro-north leftist forces" there. Rodong Sinmun today observes in a signed commentary in this regard:
    Such rackets are, in essence, an unprecedentedly heinous reactionary offensive, anti-north moves to link any movement for progress and reform in south Korea with the north in a bid to block it and stamp out the pro-reunification patriotic forces.
    The "bill" calls for replacing some directors of foundations of private schools by "open-hearted directors" to ensure the transparency of private schools which account for the majority of south Korean schools and combat corruption of their foundations.
    Public circles of south Korea are unanimously supporting the "bill", terming it a reform-oriented "bill" to adjust the educational field which has turned its face away from the need of the times, obsessed by irregularities and conservatism.
    It is as clear as noonday that unless the frantic anti-north racket kicked up by the GNP while challenging the aspiration of the south Korean people for progress and reform is completely stopped, it will spoil the fruits born by the June 15 era and a large number of people will again fall victim to the GNP's "witch-hunt" of modern type and meet the same miserable end as those related to the "case of the People's Revolutionary Party" and the "case of the National Democratic Youths and Students League" did.

Expulsion of U.S. Ambassador from S. Korea Demanded

     Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification reportedly made public a statement on Dec. 28 demanding the expulsion of the U.S. ambassador from south Korea. The statement accused the U.S. ambassador of again making reckless remarks linking activities of foreign terrorists with the north. The statement said:
    No one would lend an ear to his words. But what merits concern is that his remarks vividly reflect the U.S. hostile policy toward the north as the U.S. Department of State claimed.
    Feeling fearful of the desire to achieve reunification through an alliance with the north growing stronger in the south, the U.S. instructed its ambassador to make desperate efforts to build up public opinion hostile to the north.
    The unreasonable financial sanctions, etc. imposed by the U.S. upon the north recently clearly indicate what is the U.S. real intention. The U.S. should recall its ambassador and withdraw its forces from south Korea at once.

Settlement of Issue of "Comfort Women" Urged in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The Council for the Solution of the Issue of the Volunteers Corps held the 689th Wednesday rally in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul on Dec. 28 last year for the solution of the issue of the "comfort women" for the imperial Japanese army, according to the south Korean KBS. The participants in the rally paid homage to the deceased "comfort women," noting that 17 of the 218 old women registered by the "government" as former "comfort women" died in 2005.

Extending again Presence of S. Korean Troops in Iraq under Fire

     Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The People's Action against Dispatch of Troops to Iraq in south Korea reportedly called a press conference in front of the building of the "National Assembly" in Seoul on Dec. 30 last year at which it condemned the government and the "Uri Party" for having railroaded the "motion calling for extending again the presence of the south Korean troops in Iraq" through the NA. Speakers at the press conference said that it is quite unjustifiable that the government and the ruling party called a session of the NA to pass the motion calling for extending again the presence of the Jaitun unit in Iraq at a time when even the U.S. and Britain, which provoked the Iraqi war, are now making preparations for the withdrawal of their troops from Iraq.
    They urged the government and the ruling party to stop talking nonsense that the presence of the troops in Iraq would be extended again but their numerical strength be cut down. They demanded they pull all of them back from Iraq as early as possible as there is no justification to keep them there. The present government's continued involvement in the Iraqi war, which resulted in a grave yard of the Bush administration, would only bring tragedies to Koreans, they warned.
    At the end of the conference members of the group of hunger-strikers tried to stage a march in order to hand a letter of protest to the NA, but it was blocked by the riot police.
    The protesters shouted "No extending again presence of troops in Iraq", "Pull back Jaitun unit from Iraq" and other slogans. They held a rally to vow to fight against the action taken to extend again the presence of the troops before the police cordon.

All Koreans Called upon to Turn out in Movement for Reunification

     Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The joint editorial for this year calls on all Koreans to step up the grand march for national reunification this year in hearty response to the slogan "Let us vigorously forward the patriotic movement for independent reunification, peace against war and great national unity under the banner of 'By our nation itself!'" This appeal has met a warm response from all fellow countrymen. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    What is most important for putting spurs to the movement for reunification is for all Koreans to fully display their patriotic will at all times. It is patriotism for the Korean nation, which has undergone the tragedy of division, to dedicate itself to a worthy struggle for peace and reunification and prosperity of the country.
    It is also an important aspect of patriotism to courageously struggle against foreign aggression and domination and protect the peace of the country and the security of the nation.
    The patriotic will of the fellow countrymen in essence represents noble thought and sentiment desirous of independence against foreign forces. It is patriotism and reunification for the fellow countrymen to turn out as one to put an end to foreign domination and interference and protect sovereignty and dignity and, at the same time, stage joint actions to frustrate the moves of foreign forces for aggression and war and defend peace and work hard to achieve positive solidarity and alliance irrespective of ideology and ideal.
    The United States is now making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula.
    The fellow countrymen should, therefore, display their patriotism to the full in frustrating the U.S. imperialists' moves for a war against the DPRK and firmly defending the country, their cradle. They should pool their efforts to deal telling blows at the U.S. bent on the arrogant moves to start a war of aggression against the DPRK and drive its aggressor forces out of south Korea. This is the only way of averting a war on the Korean Peninsula, defending peace and achieving its independent reunification, the article concludes.

Substance for Promoting Plant Growth and Immunity Developed

     Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The Branch Academy of Biology under the State Academy of Sciences of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has developed "Phungok", a substance for promoting plant growth and immunity. It has been introduced to Kaechon City and Sukchon County, South Phyongan Province, Samjiyon County, Ryanggang Province, Unpha County, North Hwanghae Province and various other parts of the country to reap a rich crop.
    It is called "vaccine" applicable to the crops including rice, maize, wheat and barley and flower plants. It promotes the growth of plants, shortens their growth period and protects them against blights and thus raises the yield remarkably.
    A certain amount of undiluted solution of "Phungok" should be dissolved in water according to kinds of crops to treat seed, rice-seedling bed and sprouted seed.
    "Phungok" controls blights caused by potato virus and standing water and increases output by 80 percent at maximum.
    "Phungok" mixed with a certain amount of fertilizer is more effective. It can be kept for an indefinite period.

Historic Oaths Come True in DPRK

     Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The historic oaths of leader Kim Jong Il have come true in Kim Il Sung Korea. On January 1, Juche 35 (1946), the first New Year's Day in the liberated country, President Kim Il Sung, together with anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk and young Kim Jong Il, went to Mangyongdae, his native town. The great persons of Mt. Paektu offered their New Year's greetings to the grandparents and spent the day, looking back on the past with them. Next day grandfather Kim Po Hyon took an ink-stone out of a chest and put it before young Kim Jong Il, asking him what he would like to write. His mother Kim Jong Suk rubbed an ink-stick on the ink-stone. After pondering for a while, he took a writing-brush and wrote the words "Long Live General Kim Il Sung!"
    The meaningful words reflected his firm resolution to glorify Korea liberated by the President, holding him in high esteem.
    Kim Jong Il also made a historic oath on Ryongnam Hill on September 1, 1960 when he was admitted to Kim Il Sung University. In the famous work "Korea, I Will Glorify Thee", he expressed his iron will to learn the lofty ideas of the President and glorify Korea with the responsibility for the Korean revolution.
    True to the historic oaths associated with his ardent loyalty and patriotism, he has led Korea along the road of victory and glory. Today Kim Il Sung Korea is vigorously advancing forward, shedding brilliant rays all over the world.

Building of Independent, Peaceful and Friendly New World Called for

     Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The stand of our Party and government to make a positive contribution to the building of an independent, peaceful and friendly new world remains unchanged. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article. It is the unanimous aspiration and desire of humankind to live in an independent, peaceful and friendly new world, the article notes, and goes on:
    An independent, peaceful and friendly new world means a world where people are free from all sorts of domination, high-handed and arbitrary practices, the sovereignty and interests of all sovereign states are respected on an equal basis and the justice and impartiality are ensured in the international relations and peaceful international affair makes progress.
    The above-said world can be built only through a struggle for independence against imperialism. This kind of world free from domination, subjugation, aggression and war is unthinkable without a struggle for independence against imperialism. Invasion and war are the means for imperialism to exist. It can not live even a single day without them. Because of this intrinsic nature imperialism is indulged in aggression and plunder of other countries and nations. It is the foe of peace and the principal target of the people's struggle for independence.
    There should be nothing but a struggle against imperialism.
    Unshakable are the will and stand of our people to resolutely struggle for accomplishing the common cause of humankind to build an independent, peaceful and friendly, new world. This year, too, our Party and people will make a positive contribution to hastening the building of the above-said world under the uplifted banner of independence against imperialism, the banner of socialism.

For Spanish-speaking people

Hay que eliminar el fautor principal que lleva a ruptura conversaciones

    　Pyongyang, 3 de enero (ATCC) -- Estados Unidos es el fautor que impide la reanudacion de las conversaciones a 6 bandas. En vez de exigir a otro a salir al lugar de las conversaciones, debe hacer lo que le corresponde. Esto sera un proceder correcto y medida practica para la reanudacion de la cita a 6 bandas. Asi senala el diario Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual del dia 3 y continua:
    EE.UU. demanda reiteradamente que la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea salga pronto al lugar de la cita a 6 bandas. Esto no pasa de ser una artimana para evadir la creciente censura y denuncia y la justa demanda de la sociedad internacional.
    EE.UU. se vale de la sancion y presion contra la RPDC de modo que esta no salga al lugar de las conversaciones y maniobra vilmente para imputarle la responsabilidad del fracaso de las conversaciones.
    El imperio desata demagogia de que la Declaracion Conjunta del 19 de septiembre define solo los deberes de la RPDC y arrecia de modo escalonado la ofensiva de presion sobre esta. Por este acto de traicion de EE.UU. a la Declaracion Conjunta, entre la RPDC y EE.UU. imperan las relaciones de hostilidad en vez de las de confianza y la perspectiva de las conversaciones a 6 bandas es tenebrosa.
    EE.UU. no debe hablar de la reapertura de las conversaciones a 6 bandas sino poner fin a su sancion sobre la RPDC, que es fautor principal que lleva a la ruptura las conversaciones. La perspectiva de su reanudacion depende enteramente de la actitud de EE.UU.

Rodong Sinmun se refiere a voluntad de Corea de construir nuevo mundo

    　Pyongyang, 3 de enero (ATCC) -- Es inalterable la posicion del Partido del Trabajo de Corea y el gobierno de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea de contribuir activamente a la construccion de un nuevo mundo independiente, pacifico y amistoso. 　Asi senala el diario Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual del dia 3 y continua: 　Vivir en tal mundo es el unanime anhelo de la humanidad.
    　Este mundo nuevo es aquel donde se liquide toda clase de dominacionismo, despotismo y arbitrariedad, se respeten por igual la soberania e intereses de todos los Estados soberanos y se aseguren la justicia y la equidad en las relaciones internacionales y una vida internacional pacifica. 　La construccion de tal mundo puede ser asegurada solo a traves de la lucha por la independencia antiimperialista. Al margen de esta es imposible pensar en la construccion de aquel mundo libre de la dominacion, la subyugacion, la agresion y la guerra.
    　La agresion y la guerra son modos de existencia del imperialismo y sin estas el imperialismo no puede vivir ni un solo dia. Por esta naturaleza el imperialismo se ocupa de actos de agresion y el pillaje contra otros paises y naciones. Por eso es el enemigo de la paz y el blanco principal de lucha de los pueblos por la independencia.
    　Vale solo la lucha contra el imperialismo.
    　Son invariables la voluntad y la posicion de nuestro pueblo de luchar tenazmente por el cumplimiento de la causa comun de la humanidad para construir un nuevo mundo independiente, pacifico y amistoso. Nuestro partido y pueblo contribuiran activamente este ano a acelerar la construccion de un nuevo mundo sosteniendo en alto la bandera de la independencia antiimperialista y la del socialismo.