DPRK Holidays to Be Observed in Nigeria

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- A preparatory committee of Nigeria for commemorating the Day of the Sun and February 16 was formed with due ceremony in Abuja on Jan. 25. The inaugural ceremony elected the deputy president of the Senate of the Nigerian National Assembly chairman of the preparatory committee, and the national secretary of the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria and the chairman of the Information Committee of the Senate vice-chairmen of the preparatory committee.
    The preparatory committee set the commemoration period from Jan. 25 to Apr. 20 and discussed the issues of widely introducing the wise leadership and undying exploits of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il through mass media, organizing colorful functions including a seminar, a film show and a photo exhibition and intensifying the movement for friendship and solidarity with the Korean people.

Korean People's Cause Supported Abroad

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- Political and public figures of different countries in Asia and Pacific released a joint statement on Korea in India on Jan. 21. The joint statement cited concrete facts to prove that the U.S. keen to realize world supremacy through the "war on terrorism" listed the Korean Peninsula as one of its main targets of attack and is watching for a chance to start a new war while resorting to all sorts of plots against the DPRK. Accusing the U.S. of working hard to deter the six-party talks from making any progress by provoking its dialogue partner DPRK through financial sanctions and create favorable conditions for a preemptive attack on it, the statement went on:
    We who love justice and peace are deeply concerned about the touch-and-go situation on the Korean Peninsula and vehemently denounce the U.S. moves for a new war as a serious threat to the world peace and security and a dangerous action to bring a horrible and irretrievable nuclear disaster to humankind.
    The U.S. should draw a lesson from the fact that its nuclear threat compelled the DPRK to have access to nuclear weapons for just self-defence and make sincere efforts for the settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
    The U.S. should drop its anachronistic hostile policy towards the DPRK, immediately withdraw its forces from south Korea, replace the Korean Armistice Agreement by a peace agreement and stop hamstringing the Korean people's efforts to reunify the country independently and peacefully under the banner of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.

Japan's Preparations for New War under Fire

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- Japan's frantic arms buildup under the pretext of a "military threat" from someone is a link in the whole chain of its moves to hold military hegemony in Asia-Pacific and round off its preparations for reinvasion, observes Rodong Sinmun Friday in a signed commentary. Recalling that the Japanese reactionaries have called for taking military and legal measures to cope with a "serious threat" posed to its security by the DPRK, China and other countries, the commentary goes on:
    The Japanese Constitution bans Japan's possession of any armed forces for a war.
    Under such situation the Japanese reactionaries are raising a hue and cry over "a military threat" from neighboring countries as a pretext for justifying their preparations for a new war. They are citing "nuclear and missile threats" from the DPRK and the alleged increased defence budget of China and what they called the "submarine case," etc. as pretexts for justifying their criminal moves for a new war and frantically stepping up them. With nothing can they justify such moves, however.
    The Asian countries are heightening vigilance against Japan, interpreting its trumpeting about "military threat" as an outcry for aggression. The above-said desperate moves of the Japanese reactionaries will only lead to a self-destruction.

Bulletin Issued in Democratic Congo to Celebrate February 16

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- The Democratic Congo-Korea Friendship and Solidarity Association released a bulletin on Jan. 21 in celebration of February 16, birthday of leader Kim Jong Il. It carried an article introducing Kimjongilia under the title "Kimjongilia in full bloom on our planet."
    In its preface the bulletin warmly congratulated the Korean people on the February holiday. It is an expression of unbounded reverence of the world people for Kim Jong Il that Kimjongilia is in full bloom on our planet, making it look red and adding luster to its name amid the keen interest of all people, it said.

Greetings to Emir of Kuwait

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the occasion of his accession to the Emir of State of Kuwait. The message sincerely wished him great success in the responsible work for the country's development and prosperity and good health and happiness.

S. Korean Authorities Accused of Toeing U.S. Line

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- The People for Achieving Peace and Reunification of south Korea reportedly made public a statement on Jan. 27 denouncing the "government" authorities' measure to cooperate in the U.S.-led "Proliferation Security Initiative" (PSI). The statement recalled that the authorities on Jan. 24 at a "security meeting" decided to include a "training for intercepting weapons of mass destruction (WMD)" in the south Korea-U.S. joint military exercise and declared that south Korea would cooperate in the PSI.
    The U.S.-led PSI that came into existence under the pretext of "preventing the spread of WMD" is, in actuality, aimed to blockade and pressurize the anti-U.S. countries and its core is "to bring down the system in north Korea", the statement said, and went on:
    If the "government" authorities toe the U.S. line when the six-party talks are in the danger of collapse due to the U.S. hard-line policy towards the north, this behavior will drive the situation on the Korean Peninsula into an uncontrollable phase.
    If the authorities truly stand for the peaceful settlement of the "nuclear issue of the north" and want progress in the six-party talks, they should immediately retract their measure to cooperate in the PSI.

South Headquarters of Pomchonghakryon Vows to Push Reunification Movement

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- A meeting of activists for reunification of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification (Pomchonghakryon) was reportedly held at Sungsil University in Seoul on Jan. 21 and 22 to push the reunification movement. A ceremony of launching the south headquarters' actions for the new year took place at the meeting.
    Speakers at the ceremony said that if the U.S. and pro-American conservatives are allowed to stem the trend of the times towards independent reunification, it will be impossible to achieve the peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula and a dark era will return to south Korea. They declared that youth and students would surely develop all the struggles into anti-U.S. actions under the uplifted slogan "Let us live in the spirit of by our nation itself free from U.S. forces!" and undertake a general offensive to force the U.S. forces to quit south Korea and thus bring about fresh victory in the anti-U.S. struggle.
    They called upon the youth and students to make a higher leap full of great ambition and confidence and become heroes of the June 15 era. A declaration on their struggle titled "Let the youth and students at home and abroad take the lead in the dynamic three-point patriotic movement under the banner of 'By our nation itself'" was read out at the ceremony.

GNP Urged to Apologize for Its Crimes

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- It was recently disclosed that the "East Berlin case", made public by the Central Intelligence Agency of south Korea in 1967, was faked up as a "spying case" in a bid to calm down the demonstration against the June 8 corrupt National Assembly election held in the same year and carry out the "Yusin" dictator's constitutional revision for his third-term election and his long stay in power. A spokesman for the Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland in the DPRK issued a statement on Feb. 2 in this regard.
    Terming it an unpardonable crime against humanity committed by the predecessors of the Grand National Party, the statement says: The GNP seems to be very displeased with the recent announcement of the results of investigation, complaining that "it is a matter of apprehension to draw a conclusion on what happened in the past on the basis of public opinion lacking convincing evidence." This is intolerable as it is a blatant challenge to the people's mindset and the trend of the times.
    The "nature of the system" touted by the GNP means inheriting the spirit of the military fascist dictatorship which, brandishing a fascist club against the masses, brutally cracked down upon the people desirous of independence, democracy and reunification after unreasonably painting them as "spies" and "pro-north and pro-communist elements" and ruthlessly violated justice and the rights of people.
    The root cause of evils must be removed in time, and no statute of limitation is applicable to the crimes against the nation and humanity and their perpetrators should not be pardoned.
    The GNP, descendents of the "Yusin" regime, had better drop its foolish ambition to return to power and apologize to the nation for the crimes its predecessors committed and it is committing and stand a trial of history as demanded by the south Koreans.

All Koreans Called upon to Hold Higher Banner of "By Our Nation Itself"

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- If the Koreans are to intensify the three-point patriotic movement this year, as urged by the joint editorial for the year, they should hold high the banner of "By our nation itself," the spirit of the historic June 15 joint declaration. Rodong Sinmun today urges this in a signed article. It goes on:
    This idea serves as a banner for winning sure victory as it guarantees the victorious advance of the three-point patriotic movement. The movement for independent reunification, peace against war and great national unity is aimed at giving full play to the Korean nation's strong spirit of independence, its firm will to struggle for peace against war and its might of unity. This is strictly based on "By our nation itself", the idea of national independence and the idea of great national unity.
    The idea of "By our nation itself" is instrumental in arousing all the Koreans desirous of national independence to a nationwide struggle for putting an end to the foreign forces' domination and interference, defending the sovereignty and dignity of the nation and preserving the peace of the country and the security of the nation.
    The validity and vitality of the idea has already been clearly proven in the course of the nation's struggle for reunification and patriotism. Such patriotic idea of the whole nation, the idea of struggle as "By our nation itself", an all-powerful treasured-sword for solving the national issues and a banner of certain victory, provides a firm guarantee for the successful accomplishment of the three-point patriotic movement.
    The Korean nation should thoroughly embody the idea of "By our nation itself". This is a sure guarantee for successfully waging the above-said movement. All the Koreans in the north and the south and overseas should undertake a dynamic three-point patriotic movement under the uplifted banner of "By our nation itself" and thus bring about a new turning point in the cause of national reunification this year.

KCNA Urges Japan to Honestly Approach DPRK-Japan Inter-governmental Talks

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- We draw attention to the fact that the conservatives within the Japanese government are making remarks getting on the nerves of the DPRK in the run-up to the DPRK-Japan inter-governmental talks for the normalization of their relations. They have worked hard to build up the public opinion that the solution to the "abduction issue" should be given priority at the talks. Foreign Minister Aso at a full-dress meeting of the House of Representatives in January said that there could be no normalization of relations with the DPRK without the comprehensive settlement of pending issues including the abduction issue. Recently he formally announced that the Japanese abducted to north Korea number 50, much more than the figure reported in the past. Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe, too, blustered that Japan should strongly demand a comprehensive solution to the issue of Japanese abductees at the soon-to-be-resumed inter-governmental talks with the DPRK, adding that it is natural to pressurize north Korea in case it does not take a sincere approach. This is aimed to fan up sentiment and mindset hostile to the DPRK in a bid to block the implementation of the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration and the process of improving the bilateral relations.
    The Japanese conservative forces are not pleased with the talks for the normalization of bilateral relations. Their top priority is to achieve the political purpose pursued by them.
    Abe and Aso, typical hard-liners in the Japanese political circle, are keen to win political clout backed by the right-wing nationalist forces rapidly emerging at home.
    What they seek is to spoil the positive environment created for the solution of the issue of improving the relations between the two countries at the Beijing contacts, becloud the prospect of improving the bilateral relations and thus push the talks to a collapse.
    This cannot be construed otherwise than an extension of their moves to hamstring the efforts to implement the Pyongyang declaration and push the hostile relations between the two countries to extremes, displeased with the adoption of the declaration which calls for the normalization of the bilateral ties. It is their true aim to persistently raise the "abduction issue" in a bid to go without settling Japan's past, the core issue of improving the bilateral relations. For the Japanese conservatives to view the "abduction issue" as a key to settling the issue of normalizing the bilateral ties is a short-sighted perspective of denying political and historical facts.
    The DPRK and Japan have become distant countries although they are close to each other geographically because Japan invaded Korea and brought unspeakable pain and huge damage to its people and has failed to settle the crime-woven past as yet. It is the height of effrontery for Japan to shift the responsibility for the worsening relations on to the victim, disregarding the historical reason behind it and the present situation.
    No wonder, foreign media comment that new assertions made in Japan so far as regards the "abduction issue" are aimed to make it the focus of the DPRK-Japan talks.
    The Japanese conservatives should refrain at once from such mean act designed to attain their sinister political purpose. Japan much touted "abduction issue" will get it nowhere.

KPM Inaugurated in Japan

     Tokyo, February 2 (KNS-KCNA) -- The Korean Media Co., Ltd, located in Tokyo inaugurated the Korean Press Media (KPM) and started its operation from January 15 through its Internet network. The KPM comprises such daily newspapers as Rodong Sinmun and Minju Joson, News of Pyongyang Bureau of Choson Sinbo, weekly newspapers Thongil Sinbo, Literature and Pyongyang Times (English), such periodicals as monthly magazine Chollima, Korean Literature, Korean Arts, Youth Literature and Juvenile Literature, quarterly newspapers Gazette of Kim Il Sung University (philosophy, economics, history, law and linguistics), Science of History, Study of Economy, Study of Political Law, Study of Philosophy, Korean Linguistics, National Cultural Heritage and Study of Cultured Korean Language.
    The KPM attracts attention of foreign mass media and public as it edits news items in such a way as to enable their subscribers to read them quickly with interest as required by the IT age, while protecting the property rights of the media of the DPRK.
    The KPM has a plan to provide its services to all parts of the world on a payment condition. It will sign contracts with foreign media and research institutions and increase its dispatch of information so as to ensure a speedy and accurate introduction of the true picture of the DPRK making a dynamic advance towards a great prosperous powerful nation and the reunification of Korea.

Reminiscences of Anti-Japanese Guerrillas, True Textbook of Life

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- The servicepersons and people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are assiduously studying the "Reminiscences of the Anti-Japanese Guerrillas". The reminiscences deal with historical materials showing the revolutionary activities of President Kim Il Sung and the noble ideological and moral traits displayed by the guerrillas under his guidance during the trying anti-Japanese armed struggle.
    Nearly half a century has passed since the publication of the first volume of reminiscences in May Juche 48 (1959).
    They are still touching the heartstrings of the soldiers and people with great power of attraction and influence.
    They are favorite books of the young people in particular.
    The students of the Geographical Information Course of the Earth Environment Science Department of Kim Il Sung University, make it a rule of their daily life to read the reminiscences.They say that "Reminiscences of the Anti-Japanese Guerrillas" is the mirror of life and the textbook of struggle and life for the young people.
    Han Song Il, an officer of the Korean People's Army, after reading the reminiscences "Comrades! Take This Pistol!" emphasized that whenever they read this reminiscences, the soldiers, bearing the ardent call of the forerunners deep in mind, hold rifles tighter with a firm will to defend Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il at the cost of their lives.
    Through the reminiscences, the young and working people of Korea assiduously study the revolutionary ideas and lofty virtues of President Kim Il Sung, the loyalty of the anti-Japanese revolutionary predecessors to the leader and their indomitable fighting spirit to effect innovations in their work and life.

Greetings to Sri Lankan President

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Friday sent a message of greetings to Mahinda Rajapakse, president of Sri Lanka, on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of its independence. The message expressed belief that the relations of friendship and cooperation between two countries would grow stronger and sincerely wished the president and people of Sri Lanka great success in their work for the country's stability and prosperity.

Congratulations to Congolese President

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Thursday sent a congratulatory message to Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso upon his election as president of the African Union at its 6th Summit. We are pleased to note that the summit made great progress in solving the regional issues including disputes by its concerted efforts, further hastening the political and economic integration of the continent and developing the education and culture of Africa on a new stage, the message said. Expressing the belief that the union would make a great contribution to achieving the integration and unity, peace and prosperity of Africa thanks to the positive efforts and role of its president, the message wholeheartedly wished him success in his responsible work for the strengthening and development of the union.

Greetings to Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, prime minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the independence of the country. The message sincerely wished the Sri Lankan prime minister great success in his responsible work for the stability and prosperity of the country and expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the days ahead. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a similar message to his Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samraweear.

Congratulations to Mongolian Foreign Minister

     Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a congratulatory message to Nyamaagiin Enkhbold upon his appointment as foreign minister of Mongolia. Expressing belief that the friendly and cooperative relations now favorably developing between the two countries would grow stronger in the future, the message sincerely wished the foreign minister great success in his new job.

For Spanish-speaking people

Japon da acicate a preparativos para nueva guerra

    @Pyongyang, 3 de febrero (ATCC) -- Japon habla de la "amenaza militar" de alguien para dar espuelas al aumento armamentista. Esto es un eslabon de sus maquinaciones para tomar la supremacia militar en la region de Asia-Pacifico y perfeccionar los preparativos de nueva agresion. Senala asi el diario Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual del dia 3 y prosigue: Los reaccionarios japoneses dicen que es preciso tomar medidas militares y legales para hacer frente a la grave "amenaza" de Corea, China, etc. a la "seguridad" de su pais.
    Japon no tiene legalidad de poseer fuerzas belicas.
    Por eso, los reaccionarios japoneses difunden un rumor de "amenaza militar" de los paises circunvecinos a fin de procurar un pretexto para dar toque final a sus preparativos de nueva guerra. En particular, pregonan la "amenaza de armas nucleares y de misiles" del Norte de Corea, el "aumento" del presupuesto militar de China, el "incidente de submarino", etc.
    Pero, con nada pueden justificar tales maquinaciones.
    Los paises asiaticos redoblan la vigilancia sobre tal rumor de Japon considerandolo como una doctrina de agresion. Los reaccionarios japoneses adelantaran solo su autodestruccion con tal ajetreo.

Guia de verdadera vida

    @Pyongyang, 3 de febrero (ATCC) -- En estos dias los militares y habitantes de Corea se acostumbran a leer las "Reminiscencias de los guerrilleros antijaponeses" que narran las actividades revolucionarias del Presidente Kim Il Sung en el periodo de la ardua lucha armada antijaponesa y los hechos historicos que reflejan los nobles rasgos ideo-espirituales de los guerrilleros antijaponeses quienes lucharon junto con el. Tambien a cerca de medio siglo de sus ediciones las reminiscencias tocan con gran atraccion e influencia las cuerdas de corazon de todos los lectores. Se eleva extraordinariamente el fervor de estudio de ellas entre los integrantes de nueva generacion.
    Los estudiantes de la seccion de la informatica geografica de la facultad de ciencia de ambiente terrestre de la Universidad Kim Il Sung, quienes inician la jornada de estudio con la lectura de las reminiscencias, dicen que estas sirven de espejo de vida y manual de lucha y vida a los jovenes. Al exponer su impresion de la leida reminiscencia "!Camaradas, reciban este fusil!", el oficial del Ejercito Popular de Corea Han Song Il subrayo que al leerla los soldados guardan en lo profundo de sus corazones el ardiente grito de los martires y toman con mas firmeza el fusil con la ferrea conviccion y voluntad de defender a costa de la vida al Comandante Supremo Kim Jong Il.
    El pueblo coreano realiza el estudio de las reminiscencias en estrecha combinacion con las actividades practicas. Al leerlas los jovenes y trabajadores aprenden la idea revolucionaria y las nobles virtudes del Presidente y la fidelidad al lider y el indomable espiritu de lucha de los martires revolucionarios antijaponeses y registran innovaciones en la labor y vida.
    En mayo del 48 (1959) de la Era Juche se dio la primera edicion de las "Reminiscencias de los guerrilleros antijaponeses".