Day of Sun Commemorated in Different Countries

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- A seminar was held by the Party for Peace and Unity of Russia, a meeting and a book and photo exhibition were organized by the Austrian preparatory committee to commemorate the Day of the Sun, reading sessions were held by the Chambogo University of Uganda and the Nigerian Group for the Study of the Juche Philosophy and a photo exhibition and film show were arranged by the Pretoria City Committee of the African National Congress of South Africa from March 30 to April 6 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. On display in the venues of the book and photo exhibitions were famous works of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il and photos showing their immortal revolutionary exploits.
    Participants of the film show watched Korean film "They Have Always Been Together on the Road of Working for the People".
    Chairperson Sazhi Umalatova and Vice-chairman Ivan Shashbiashbili of the above-said Russian party, addressing the seminar, said that Kim Jong Il has successfully defended the socialism and the dignity and sovereignty of the nation with his unique Songun politics, noting that the President made a great contribution to the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence.
    Erich Zavadil, chairman of the Austrian preparatory committee, in his speech made at a meeting said that the exploits the President performed by founding and developing the DPRK and leading the struggle to accomplish the human cause of independence would be immortal.
    The chairman of the Pretoria City Committee of the African National Congress of South Africa at the photo exhibition and film show said that as the President performed undying feats for the human cause of independence, the progressive people of the world significantly commemorate the Day of the Sun with the Korean people every year, noting that the President fully supported the peoples of the African countries in their struggle for national independence and the building of a new society. Messages to Kim Jong Il were adopted at the functions held in Russia and Austria.

Police Search in Office of Association of Chongryon under Fire

    Tokyo, April 15 (KNS-KCNA) -- Co-representatives of the "People's Solidarity in Osaka Demanding Earlier Normalization of the Relations between Japan and the DPRK" visited the Osaka Prefectural Association of Korean Workers in Commerce in Japan on April 6. They said that the recent police search in the office of the association aroused bitter indignation even among Japanese as it was an unpardonable outrage, a clear proof of the abuse of power. They extended solidarity to the Koreans in Japan in their just struggle, denouncing the police authorities for their unreasonable search in the office of the association. They read out a message of solidarity in the name of the "People's Solidarity in Osaka Demanding Earlier Normalization of the Relations between Japan and the DPRK" and conveyed it to Ryo Kwang Si, chairman of the association.
    In another development, the solidarity sent to the Japanese investigation authorities a letter of protest exposing the injustice of the search and demanding measures to prevent its reoccurrence.
    Ryo Kwang Si, when meeting with the co-representatives, said that the search perpetrated by the Tokyo Police Agency in the office of the association was a blatant political suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan and an act of throwing a wet blanket over the efforts to normalize the relations between the DPRK and Japan.

Kim Yong Nam Meets Delegations

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a conversation with a delegation of Koreans from Japan headed by Ryang Su Jong, vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in an atmosphere overflowing with compatriotic feelings on April 16. On the same day, he met and conversed with a delegation of the Communist Party of Greece led by Aleka Papariga, general secretary of the Central Committee of the CPG, in a friendly atmosphere at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.

Floral Basket to DPRK Embassy in Havana

     Havana, April 15 (KCNA) -- General Raul Castro Ruz, first vice-president of the Council of State and minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, sent a floral basket to the DPRK embassy in Havana on Apr. 14 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Papers in editorials Monday warmly welcome the visit of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni to the DPRK.
    Noting that Cambodian king's visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, is his first visit after he assumed the royal post, Rodong Sinmun says: It is a clear token of the development of the DPRK-Cambodia friendly relations and support and encouragement to the Korean people in the efforts for making a new leap forward and innovation in building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation.
    This visit is an expression of the stand and will of the government and people of Cambodia to steadily strengthen and develop bilateral friendship through centuries and generations.
    Referring to the vigorous strivings in Cambodia to build an independent and prosperous new society, the editorial goes on:
    The Cambodian government is boosting friendly and cooperative relations with many countries including Asian countries on the principles of independence, sovereignty, peace, permanent neutrality, territorial integrity and non-alignment in the external activities. The DPRK people rejoice as their own over the successes registered by the Cambodian people in their endeavors to achieve stability and unity of the country and build an independent and prosperous new Cambodia and extend full support and firm solidarity to their cause of justice.
    The Cambodian government and people are standing foursquare behind the cause of justice of the people of the DPRK in the energetic strivings to accomplish earlier the cause of the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and the cause of national reunification, true to the Songun policy of leader Kim Jong Il. It is the common desire and will of the peoples of the two countries to steadily consolidate and develop bilateral friendship. The DPRK people will exert themselves to the utmost to boost the friendly and cooperative relations with the Cambodian people. Cambodian king's visit to the DPRK will mark an eventful milestone in developing DPRK-Cambodia friendship to a new, higher stage.

Joint Performances of ASFAF Given

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Joint performances of the 24th April Spring Friendship Art Festival were given Sunday at the Pyongyang Grand Theatre, the Ponghwa Art Theatre and the Pyongyang Circus Theatre. The performances were appreciated by Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju, Jon Pyong Ho, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop and others.
    Among the audiences were Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), heads of the delegations of overseas Koreans including Ryang Su Jong, vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of Chongryon, foreign guests and other overseas Koreans. Put on the stages were hymns of the sun lauding President Kim Il Sung and songs of boundless reverence for leader Kim Jong Il.
    A joint performance was given at the Pyongyang Grand Theatre by the art troupes of Koreans from Japan, China and America and the art troupe of the International United Confederation of Koreans.
    In male solo "Song Dedicated to Marshal Kim Il Sung," the fourth movement "We Pledge" of symphony "Leader Is Always with Us" and female solo "Song of Loyalty", a famous masterpiece, and other pieces, the performers gave a good ideological and artistic representation of ardent yearning and humble reverence for the peerlessly great persons.
    A joint performance was given at the Ponghwa Art Theatre by artistes of China, Russia, Cuba, Mongolia, Georgia, Germany, Moldova, Ukraine, Italy, Kazakhstan and the International Delpic Cultural Festival Council.
    Put on the stage were female solo Korean song "Motherland, Prosper", dance "Chervona Ruta," the fourth movement "Glory to General Kim Jong Il" of symphony suite "Long Journey for Songun Leadership" and other numbers. At the Pyongyang Circus Theatre acrobats from China, Russia, Mongolia, the Czech Republic and Sweden performed "Plastic Etude with Bowls on Head", "Horizontal Swinging” and other pieces, acclaimed by the audience for their difficult technical and stunt movements.
    Floral baskets were presented to the performers in congratulation of their successful performances.

Cambodian King's Visit to DPRK Welcomed

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Papers in editorials Monday warmly welcome the visit of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni to the DPRK. Noting that Cambodian king's visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, is his first visit after he assumed the royal post, Rodong Sinmun says: It is a clear token of the development of the DPRK-Cambodia friendly relations and support and encouragement to the Korean people in the efforts for making a new leap forward and innovation in building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation.
    This visit is an expression of the stand and will of the government and people of Cambodia to steadily strengthen and develop bilateral friendship through centuries and generations.
    Referring to the vigorous strivings in Cambodia to build an independent and prosperous new society, the editorial goes on:
    The Cambodian government is boosting friendly and cooperative relations with many countries including Asian countries on the principles of independence, sovereignty, peace, permanent neutrality, territorial integrity and non-alignment in the external activities. The DPRK people rejoice as their own over the successes registered by the Cambodian people in their endeavors to achieve stability and unity of the country and build an independent and prosperous new Cambodia and extend full support and firm solidarity to their cause of justice.
    The Cambodian government and people are standing foursquare behind the cause of justice of the people of the DPRK in the energetic strivings to accomplish earlier the cause of the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and the cause of national reunification, true to the Songun policy of leader Kim Jong Il. It is the common desire and will of the peoples of the two countries to steadily consolidate and develop bilateral friendship. The DPRK people will exert themselves to the utmost to boost the friendly and cooperative relations with the Cambodian people. Cambodian king's visit to the DPRK will mark an eventful milestone in developing DPRK-Cambodia friendship to a new, higher stage.

Kim Il Sung Lauded as Peerlessly Great Man

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung was a peerlessly great man who made a history of steady victory in the spirit of revolutionary optimism, says Rodong Sinmun Monday in a signed article. His life was a brilliant one characterized by revolutionary optimism and an immortal history full of faith in sure victory and optimism, the article says, and goes on: His whole life represented an immortal revolutionary life of a great man who successfully explored the road of the Korean revolution, overcoming the most difficult and manifold hardships with faith in the victory of revolution and optimism without the slightest pessimism, despair, failure and frustration. He had always had the spirit of emerging victorious, converting misfortune into fortune and adversity into favorable conditions and he had such matchless pluck that there is always a way out. He thus always brought about only victory despite the stern tempest of the revolution. He who laughs last laughs the best. It was with this optimism and pluck that the President did everything he could have done for the accomplishment of the Juche cause by victoriously leading the protracted and arduous Korean revolution. He, with a deep insight into the historical necessity of succession to the revolutionary cause, found the most successful solution to the issue of succession to the leadership, thereby giving steady continuity to the revolutionary cause. This is the greatest feat that can be performed only by a great man born of Heaven capable of looking far into the future.
    The President's great optimism is a noble revolutionary spirit based on the firm faith in the validity of the revolutionary cause, the popular masses' cause of independence. This is also a revolutionary spirit based on the absolute trust in the inexhaustible strength of the people and unbounded love for the homeland and people. The article says that the President's glorious history of revolutionary optimism is now being given steady continuity under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.

Cambodian King Arrives

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni arrived in Pyongyang Monday at the invitation of Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly, to pay an official visit to the DPRK. Kim Yong Nam greeted him at the airport.

Program Indicating Way to National Unity and Reunification

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Eight years have passed since Leader Kim Jong Il made public the famous work "Let Us Reunify the Country Independently and Peacefully through the Great Unity of the Entire Nation" on April 18, Juche 87 (1998). In his work he formulated President Kim Il Sung's idea of the great national unity from a new angle and clarified the five-point policy for the great national unity in order to develop the struggle for the great unity of the entire nation on a new stage in accordance with changed political situation and circumstances. The five-point policy is to rely on the principle of national independence, to unite under the banner of national reunification, the banner of loving the country and the nation, to improve relations between the north and the south, to struggle against the domination and interference by outside forces and the anti-reunification forces, and to realize mutual visits and contacts of the whole nation, develop dialogue and strengthen solidarity and alliance.
    Over the last eight years, the work, a program for national unity and reunification, has positively inspired the Korean nation in the efforts for the reconciliation, unity and reunification of the nation.
    The five-point policy has turned the struggle for national unity and reunification into a nation-wide movement and ushered in a new historical era of reconciliation and cooperation between the north and the south and of independent reunification. Upholding the historic June 15 joint declaration, the entire nation has energetically advanced toward the independent reunification. And the north-south relations run through with antagonism and confrontation are being converted into a reconciliation and cooperation under the idea of "by our nation itself".
    The years have witnessed brisk governmental and non-governmental exchanges between the north and the south. Among them are inter-Korean ministerial talks, grand festivals for national reunification to mark the publication of the June 15 north and south joint declaration, national rallies to observe the August 15 liberation, inter-Korean conference of workers, inter-Korean conference of peasants and reunion of separated families and relatives.
    This year, too, the solidarity and unity have been strengthened through the reunification campaign of the nation including the joint meeting of youths in the north and the south and the north-south conference of women.
    There are still many difficulties in the reunification campaign including obstructions of the United States. But, the Korean people will certainly accomplish the cause of the independent reunification, upholding the five-point policy for the great unity of the nation.

Significant and Attractive Art Festival

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- The 24th April Spring Friendship Art Festival is going on before full houses in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It has been attended by many world-famous artistes. Among them is Mitsuko Ogasawara who is chief of the musical company of the Japan-Korea Musical and Artistic Interchange Society.
    This is her 22nd participation in the April Spring Friendship Art Festival from the first one in April Juche71 (1982).
    She, with ardent reverence for President Kim Il Sung, impressively sang Korean songs including "Star of Korea" and "Leader, the Night Is Far Advanced" and Japanese songs created by her "With Longing for Pyongyang" and "Let's Sing Pyongyang of Tomorrow", delighting the audience.
    She, 86 years of age, is in poor health condition. But she sang songs in clear and beautiful voice, getting rousing ovation from the audience.
    In her press interview, she said:
    "I knew well about President Kim Il Sung through publications from my girlhood and was honored with the audience of the President several times. I will never forget the informal and benevolent feature of the President who made his valuable time to meet and frankly converse with an ordinary foreigner. My ever deepening respect and missing for the President is the source of strength for me in my 80s to come to this festival.
    The festival embraces all fields of art including music, dance and acrobatics. This kind of grand international art festival can be held only in the DPRK which has President Kim Il Sung, the greatest man, as the father of the nation and the eternal President. This is, indeed, a significant and attractive art festival in which I hope to participate again and again."

Kim Jong Il Sends Educational Aid Fund and Stipends for Korean Children in Japan

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il sent educational aid fund and stipends of 234.5 million yen in Japanese currency for the development of democratic national education of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon). The educational aid fund and stipends sent by President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il for the sons and daughters of Korean residents in Japan amount to 4576, 8223,000 yen in the 152nd installment.
    The deep loving care shown to the children of Koreans under Chongryon on the occasion of the Day of the Sun will greatly encourage Koreans in Japan in dedicating themselves to the prosperity of the socialist homeland, national reunification and the strengthening of the movement of Koreans in Japan and contribute to the development of democratic national education of Chongryon.

Kim Jong Il Sends Wreath to Bier of Phyo Mu Won

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Il Monday sent a wreath to the bier of Phyo Mu Won, KPA general officer who is winner of Kim Il Sung Order and the National Reunification Prize, expressing deep condolences on his death.

Cambodian King Arrives Here

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni arrived in Pyongyang by a special plane Monday to pay an official visit to Korea at the invitation of Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly. The king was welcomed at the airport by Kim Yong Nam, Vice-Premier of the Cabinet Ro Tu Chol, Minister of Culture Kim Jin Song, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il and DPRK Ambassador to Cambodia Choe Han Chun. Out at the airport were Cambodian Ambassador to the DPRK Chhorn Hay and embassy officials.
    A ceremony for welcoming the Cambodian king was held at the airport. Norodom Sihamoni, together with Kim Yong Nam, reviewed the honor guards of the three services of the Korean People's Army.

Abnormal Snow in Korea

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Rain and Snow fell in most parts of the DPRK on Monday due to the effect of depression moving from Huabei of China to the northward of the West Sea of Korea. In an interview with KCNA, Ri Chol Su, vice-director of the Central Weather Forecast Institute under the Hydro-Meteorological Service, said:
    In Pyongyang area it snowed from around 06:30 to around 09:00. The snow lied 1 centimeter thick and its precipitation was 2 millimeters.
    Such phenomenon was observed in Korea on April 17, Juche 51 (1962). This phenomenon was attributable to the fact that the cold air stratum below zero degree C was nearly 400 meters high from the ground in and around the country. Therefore, the snow formed in the stratosphere fell to the ground without thawing. Such abnormal climate is rare to be seen in Pyongyang area. In April when the spring comes around, all kinds of flowers bloom and the seeds sowed in March begin to sprout.
    The untimely snowfall exerts harmful influence on the growth of the crops and plants.

China Donates Equipment to Korean Hydro-Meteorological Service

     Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of Water Resources of China donated equipment for communications and hydrological observation to the Hydro-Meteorological Service of the DPRK. A donation ceremony was held here Monday.
    Present at the ceremony were Ko Il Hun, director of the Hydro-Meteorological Service, and officials concerned, Wu Donghe, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and embassy officials and members of the delegation of the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources headed by Deng Jian, director of the Bureau of Hydrology. Speeches were made on the occasion.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il envia mensaje de felicitacion a Bashar Al-Assad

    　Pyongyang, 17 de abril (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 envio el dia 16 a Bashar Al-Assad, secretario regional del Partido Socialista del Resurgimiento Arabe (BAAS) y presidente de la Republica Arabe de Siria con motivo del 60 aniversario de la independencia de este pais. 　La misiva senala que despues de la independencia, el pueblo siriaco logro muchos exitos en las labores para el desarrollo del pais y la solucion equitativa y comprensiva del problema del Oriente Medio frustrando la amenaza y la presion de las fuerzas hostiles.
    　Apunta que el pueblo coreano se regocija sinceramente como de los suyos de todos los exitos alcanzados por el pueblo siriaco y tambien en el futuro enviara irrestricto apoyo y solidaridad con su justa lucha por defender la soberania del pais y la dignidad de la nacion bajo la acertada direccion del BAAS.
    　Expresa una conviccion de que se ampliaran y se desarrollaran sin cesar los lazos de amistad y cooperacion entre los pueblos de los dos paises y desea de todo corazon al presidente siriaco buena salud y felicidad y a su pueblo amistoso un nuevo progreso y prosperidad.

Periodicos dan calida bienvenida a la mision del pueblo camboyano

    　Pyongyang, 17 de abril (ATCC) -- Los periodicos capitalinos insertaron en sus ediciones del dia 17 editoriales dando calurosa bienvenida al rey de Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni que viene a visitar Corea. 　La presente visita a Corea del rey camboyano por invitacion del presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea Kim Yong Nam, siendo la primera despues de su toma de posesion, es una patente prueba del desarrollo de relaciones de amistad entre Corea y Cambodia y un apoyo y estimulo a la lucha del pueblo coreano que logra nuevo salto e innovacion en la construccion de una gran potencia socialista prospera, senala el editorial del diario Rodong Sinmun senala:
    　La presente visita del rey camboyano refleja la posicion y la voluntad del gobierno y el pueblo de su pais de fortalecer de siglo en siglo y de generacion en generacion las relaciones de amistad con la RPDC.
    　En Cambodia se desarrolla activamente la lucha por construir una nueva sociedad independiente y prospera.
    　El gobierno camboyano desarrolla las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion con los paises de Asia y otros del mundo a base del principio de la soberania, la independencia, la neutralidad perpetua, la integridad territorial y la no alineacion. El pueblo coreano se regocija como de los suyos de los exitos que logra el pueblo camboyano en la lucha por la estabilidad y la unidad del pais y construir la nueva Cambodia independiente y prospera, y envia entero apoyo y firme solidaridad a su justa causa. 　El gobierno y el pueblo de Cambodia apoyan activamente la justa causa del pueblo coreano para realizar con anticipacion la causa de la construccion de una gran potencia socialista prospera y la de la reintegracion territorial siguiendo la politica de Songun (priorizacion militar) del Dirigente Kim Jong Il.
    　Los pueblos de ambos paises tienen la aspiracion y voluntad comunes de consolidar y desarrollar ininterrumpidamente sus relaciones de amistad. 　El pueblo coreano se esforzara activamente por desarrollar las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion con el pueblo camboyano. La presente visita de Su Majestad el rey Norodom Sihamoni servira de un motivo trascendental para llevar la amistad bilateral a una nueva etapa mas alta.

Conversaciones entre delegaciones del PTC y PCG

    　Pyongyang, 17 de abril (ATCC) -- Tuvieron lugar el dia 16 en esta capital en un ambiente amistoso las conversaciones entre las delegaciones del Partido del Trabajo de Corea (PTC) y del Partido Comunista de Grecia (PCG). 　Estuvieron presentes por la parte coreana Choe Thae Bok, secretario del CC del PTC y otros funcionarios, y por la griega, los miembros de la delegacion del PCG presidida por su secretaria general Aleka Papariga.
    　En la ocasion, ambas partes informaron de las actividades de sus respectivos partidos e intercambiaron criterios sobre el problema de desarrollar las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion entre las dos entidades politicas y otros de interes mutuo.