Kim Jong Il's Work Published in Malta

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il's famous work "On Preserving the Juche Character and National Character of the Revolution and Construction" was brought out in booklet by a publishing house of Malta on Apr. 13. The work, published on June 19, Juche 86 (1997), clarifies the idea that it is a fundamental principle to be adhered to in carrying out the socialist cause to preserve the Juche character and national character of the revolution and construction and tasks to be tackled to do so and ways of implementing them.

600th Candlelight Event Held in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The 600th candlelight event reportedly took place in Phaengsong Township, Phyongthaek City, Kyonggi Province on April 23. Speakers at the event said that it is the 600th day since residents in Phaengsong held high candlelight to check the expansion of the U.S. military base in Phyongthaek, adding that residents and many activists of civic and public organizations have struggled against the Defence Ministry's moves to expand the U.S. military base. The ministry's moves were made in line with the U.S. military strategy from A to Z, they said, stressing that they would certainly block such moves in active solidarity with all the people.
    Then followed an art performance.
    Earlier, an inaugural ceremony of the "student measure committee for checking the expansion of the U.S. military base in Phyongthaek and for achieving peace against war" was held at Taechu Primary School with the attendance of more than 250 students.

Agreement of Joint National Committee Adopted

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- An agreement of the Joint National Committee for the Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration (June 15 Joint National Committee) was adopted on April 27. The co-chairmen of the north and the south committees of the June 15 Joint National Committee discussed the issue of holding joint functions for reunification to mark the 6th anniversary of the joint declaration in Kaesong on April 27, 2006 and reached the following agreement:
    1. The June 15 Joint National Committee shall hold joint national functions for reunification with a view to promoting the movement for independence, peace and great unity of the nation on a nationwide scale on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of the historic June 15 joint declaration as follows:
    a. Functions shall be named "Grand Festival for National Reunification Marking the 6th Anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration" (June 15 Grand Festival for National Reunification).
    b. Functions shall be held in Kwangju for 4 days and 3 nights from June 14 to 17. c. Functions shall be attended by 150 delegates each from the north and the south and at least 100 delegates from overseas.
    d. Functions shall contain an opening ceremony, a meeting for national reunification to implement the June 15 joint declaration, a meeting of co-chairmen of the June 15 joint national committee, sectional group meetings, sports and amusement games, an art performance, a test flight of light planes for congratulations, visits, etc. 2. The June 15 Joint National Committee shall open in the north side's area joint national functions for reunification with the attendance of delegates from the north, the south and overseas on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of national liberation. 3. The June 15 Joint National Committee shall continue holding working contacts if necessary in order to discuss the above-said issues and the north, south and overseas sides shall actively cooperate.

DPRK and Nepal Cooperate in Information

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- An agreement on cooperation in information between the DPRK Information Committee and the Ministry of Information and Communications of Nepal was signed in Nepal on April 24. Present at the signing ceremony from the Korean side were members of the information delegation headed by Vice-Chairman of the Information Committee Ri Ju Gwan and the DPRK ambassador to Nepal and from the Nepalese side were officials concerned including the secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications. The agreement was inked by Ri Ju Gwan and the secretary.

April Holidays of DPRK Marked Abroad

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Round-table talks, meetings, photo exhibitions, film shows and sports and cultural functions took place in Bangladesh, Hungary, Democratic Congo, Thailand and Austria from April 8 to 14 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun, the 13th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and the 74th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army. On display at the venues of the functions were pictures showing the immortal revolutionary feats performed by President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, the might of the KPA and the endeavors of the Korean people for the building of a great prosperous powerful nation.
    Screened at a film show was the Korean film "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Gives On-site Guidance to the Work in Various Fields".
    Gyula Thurmer, chairman of the Hungarian Communist Workers' Party, addressing a round-table talk, said the President devoted his whole life to the cause for the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people.
    He expressed the belief that thanks to the unique Songun politics of Kim Jong Il, socialism of Juche would surely emerge victorious in the DPRK. Otete Gaston Mboyo, chairman of the National Committee of the Genuine Lumumbist Patriotic Party of Democratic Congo, at a film show said the august name of the President would be cherished always in the hearts of humankind together with his great revolutionary life. And he noted that the Korean People's Army has reliably defended socialism under the unique Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il. The president of a Thai trade company, after watching a Korean film, expressed the belief that the DPRK would become a more powerful and prosperous country under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, saying he came to know well that Kim Jong Il is a versatile, talented and passionate person.
    A message to Kim Jong Il was adopted at an event held in Hungary.

Reception Given for Cuban Embassy Officials

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK arranged a film show and a reception at the Taedonggang Club for the Diplomatic Corps on April 27 on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Cuban people's victory in the Playa Giron battle. Present there on invitation were Cuban Ambassador to the DPRK Ruben Perez Valdes and embassy officials.
    Also present there were Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hyong Jun and other officials.
    The participants watched Korean documentary "Answer of DPRK" telling how its army and people have frustrated the U.S. imperialists' moves to provoke a nuclear war, thus honorably protecting the sovereignty and dignity of the country and the nation. Speeches were made at the reception.

Maintaining Korean Nation-First Stand Called for

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The Koreans will have a bright future of independent reunification only when they fully display the spirit of national self-respect and firmly maintain the stand of attaching importance to the nation, the nation-first stand. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article. It goes on:
    It is necessary to firmly adhere to the stand of attaching importance to the nation, the nation-first stand in all aspects of the inter-Korean relations and the reunification movement in order to actively push forward the implementation of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and lead the cause of reunification, the ardent desire of the 70 million fellow countrymen, to victory.
    The above-said stands represent the main posture to be taken by all members of the nation to abide by the principle of independence in the reunification movement and an engine vigorously accelerating the march for independent reunification. Underscoring the need to hold aloft the banner of "By our nation itself," the article goes on: Reflected in the idea of "By our nation itself" is the immutable truth that the Koreans can survive only when they maintain the stand of attaching importance to the nation, the nation-first stand. The idea is replete with the strong spirit of independence and ardent patriotism of the Koreans which no other nation can ever possess, admirable fighting spirit and pluck that nothing is impossible when they pool efforts and optimism about the future of a reunified country where the dignity of the nation will be exalted and the happiness of the generations to come be guaranteed.
    The idea is encouraging all the fellow countrymen to give full play to the spirit of national self-respect so that they may turn out as one in a sacred patriotic struggle for reunification against the U.S.
    The U.S. imperialists are making desperate efforts to stamp out the Koreans' movement for national reunification but the ranks of those who struggle for independent reunification are full of conviction and optimism.

U.S. Termed World's Worst Human Rights Abuser

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Friday in a signed article brands the United States as the world's worst human rights abuser and No.1 foe of human rights, citing facts to prove its true colors. As unanimously recognized by the world, the U.S. is the arch violator of human rights, the article notes, and goes on:
    Its poorest human rights record finds a vivid manifestation in the fact that people's right to elect and to be elected and the rights of women and children are savagely violated in the U.S.
    Many people are denied suffrage due to various kinds of restrictions in the election under the pretexts of abode and want of money and the like.
    The U.S. is one of a few countries which have not ratified "the convention banning all forms of discriminations against women" and one of the two countries which refused to ratify the "convention on the rights of children."
    It is the worst in abusing not only the rights of its people but those of other nations. It has regarded "human rights diplomacy" as its major foreign policy for intervention and domination over other countries and left no means untried to implement it. It has perpetrated the most horrendous abuse of human rights by practicing medieval torture of people of other countries.
    It set up prisons equipped with modern science and technology in various parts of the world where its interrogators have committed cruel maltreatment and torture putting even the law enforcement agents in the medieval ages into the shade. The barbaric human rights abuses perpetrated by GIs in the prison of the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo, the Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq and other detention camps and prisons of the world are monstrous human rights violations that diametrically run counter to the humanitarian principles of modern international law and the international law on human rights.
    The U.S. forces have openly committed even sexual torture strictly banned by international law. It is again the U.S. that wantonly tramples down upon the freedom of worship.
    The U.S. is bound to be severely punished by history, should it continue abusing human rights despite unanimous protest and condemnation of the public at home and abroad, the article warns.

Marine Resources Protected in DPRK

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Various activities for protecting and propagating marine resources are conducted in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in April and July, which have been set as the months for protecting marine resources. Fishery stations in the east coast area of the country have recently built artificial culture ponds in tens of places suitable for sea conditions and features of sea animals and plants to provide a foundation for increasing marine resources. The Hongwon, Rakwon and other fishery stations have constructed hatcheries, fry-breeding ponds and cultivation ponds according to their actual conditions. They are now paying off.
    The Yanghwa Fishery Station has bred fry of abalone and sea urchin in a modernly furnished artificial culture pond in a scientific and technical way for several years to release tens of millions of their fry in the sea. The Pupho, Kumipho and other offshore farms in the west coast area have made a great effort to extend kelp and laver cultivation grounds and to improve inhabitation circumstances of shell-fish.
    Fish farms in different parts of the country are creating natural feed and installing facilities needed for freshwater fishes to suit the spring condition.

New Species of Walnut Tree Cultivated

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The Institute of Economic-value Forest of the Academy of Forest Science under the Ministry of Land and Environment Conservation of the DPRK has succeeded in breeding a new species of walnut tree at the end of 40-odd year research. The high-yield tree is short, which is convenient for tending.
    The newly bred tree bears fruits for 40-50 years from one year after its plantation. The natural walnut trees and existing species of walnut trees bear the first fruits respectively from eight years and two-three years after their plantation. The yield of the new one is three-four tons per hectare. It is seven times that of the natural trees and 1.4 times that of the existing ones.
    The nutshell of the fruit is very thin and its kernel thick. It is strong in cold and disease resistance.

Actions against Conservatives Forces Declared in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The Reunification Solidarity for the Implementation of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration and the Peace of the Korean Peninsula reportedly held a ceremony of declaring actions to carry forward the spirit of the April 19 Popular Uprising and liquidate the conservative forces in Maroni Park in Seoul on April 22. Speakers at the ceremony said that the uprising failed to achieve its goal due to the U.S. interference and the treacherous acts of the conservative forces to turn back the wheel of history.
    Accusing the conservatives of working hard to hamstring the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration, placing the interests of foreign forces above the national interests, they vowed not to pardon the sycophantic traitors engrossed in the acts against the nation and reunification under any circumstances.

DPRK Ambassador to Pakistan Appointed

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Ri Yong Hwan was appointed as the DPRK ambassador e. p. to Pakistan, according to a decree of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.

Sports Contests for "Mangyongdae Cup" Close

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Sports Contests for "Mangyongdae Cup" that opened on April 12 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun closed on Friday. Good successes were registered in overall events including ball games and heavy weight games.
    New national records were set in the men's team events of shooting 10-metre mixed running game targets and 50-metre mixed running game targets and women's jerk event of the 75 kg category.
    Players of the April 25 Sports Group placed first in the men's and women's football, basketball and volleyball games and in the men's table-tennis team event. Women players of the Pyongyang City Sports Group came first in the table-tennis team event, men players of the Sports Group of the Pyongyang Railway Bureau and women players of the Jagang Provincial Sports Group in the ice hockey event and men players of the Paekmasan Sports Group and women players of the Jangsan Sports Group in the short track speed skating race.
    Present at a closing ceremony, which took place at the Basketball Gymnasium in Chongchun Street, were Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central　Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned and sports persons.

King of Cambodia Leaves

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Norodom Sihamoni, king of Cambodia, left here by a special plane on Friday after wrapping up his official visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of its Supreme People's Assembly. A farewell ceremony took place at the airport. Norodom Sihamoni together with Kim Yong Nam reviewed a guard of honor of the three services of the Korean People's Army. Among the farewell bidders were Vice-Premier Ro Tu Chol, Minister of Culture Kim Jin Song, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kung Sok Ung and DPRK Ambassador to Cambodia Choe Han Chun.
    Also on hand were Cambodian Ambassador to the DPRK Chhorn Hay and embassy officials.

Gift to Kim Jong Il from Cambodian King

     Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni who paid an official visit to the DPRK. The gift was handed to an official concerned by the Great King Norodom Sihanouk on April 28.

For Spanish-speaking people

EE.UU. es el primer violar de DDHH en el mundo

    　Pyongyang, 28 de abril (ATCC) -- El periodico Rodong Sinmun inserto en su edicion del dia 28 un articulo individual calificando a Estados Unidos como peor usurpador de derechos humanos en el mundo. Como lo reconoce todo el mundo, EE.UU. es el peor violador de DDHH. Lo demuestra fehacientemente el hecho de que en ese pais americano estan pisoteados despiadadamente los derechos de elegir y ser elegido y los de mujeres y ninos. Rigen diversas medidas de restriccion electoral motivadas por falta de dinero para privar a muchas personas del derecho a votacion.
    EE.UU. es uno de pocos paises no signatarios del "Convenio de prohibicion de discriminaciones de todas formas contra las mujeres" y uno de dos paises que tampoco son partes del "Convenio sobre el derecho de la infancia". Ocupa el primer lugar en la violacion de derechos humanos de otras naciones para no hablar de sus propios habitantes.
    Hoy en dia, toma la "diplomacia de DDHH" como principal politica exterior para la intervencion y la dominacion sobre otros paises y recurre a todas las maquinaciones para llevarla a la practica.
    Al perpetrar torturas medievales a los pueblos de otros paises, comete el crimen mas cruel antietico.
    En todas partes del mundo instalo carceles en las que con la aplicacion de la ciencia y tecnica modernas perpetran crueles torturas y maltratos que haran ruborizarse a los verdugos de la Edad Media.
    Los barbaros actos de violacion de DDHH que las tropas norteamericanas perpetran en la carcel de la base naval norteamericana en Guantanamo, la prision de Abu Ghraib de Irak y otras instaladas en varios lugares del mundo contravienen a los principios humanitarios de los codigos universales y a la ley internacional de derechos humanos. Las tropas norteamericanas aplican abiertamente hasta la tortura sexual prohibida estrictamente por la ley internacional.
    Tambien, EE.UU. pisotea despiadadamente la libertad de la religion y creencia. Si EE.UU. sigue cometiendo crimenes de violacion de DDHH, pese a las unanimes protestas y denuncias internas y externas, no podra evitar castigo severo de la historia.

MINREX ofrece proyeccion filmica para miembros de embajada cubana

    　Pyongyang, 28 de abril (ATCC) -- El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea ofrecio el dia 27 en el Club Taedonggang para el Cuerpo Diplomatico una proyeccion filmica y un banquete con motivo del 45 aniversario del triunfo del pueblo cubano en la batalla de Playa Giron. 　Estuvieron invitados el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario, Ruben Perez Valdes, y otros miembros de la Embajada de Republica de Cuba acreditada en Corea. 　Tambien participaron el vicecanciller Kim Hyong Jun y otros funcionarios coreanos. 　Ante todo, los participantes vieron el documental coreano "Respuestas de Corea" que muestran al ejercito y el pueblo coreano defendiendo honrosamente la soberania y la dignidad del pais al frustrar las maniobras de provocacion de guerra nuclear de EE.UU. 　Luego se ofrecio un banquete y hubo discursos.

Acuerdo del Comite Conjunto Nacional Norte-Sur

    　Pyongyang, 28 de abril (ATCC) -- Quedo aprobado el dia 27 un acuerdo del Comite Conjunto Nacional para la Ejecucion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio. 　Segun el documento, los copresidentes del Norte y el Sur de Corea del citado Comite discutieron el dia 27 en Kaesong el problema de celebrar el acto conjunto para la reunificacion dedicado al 6o aniversario de la publicacion de la susodicha declaracion conjunta y lograron el acuerdo como lo siguiente:
    1. El Comite Conjunto Nacional del 15 de Junio, para impulsar en escala nacional el movimiento por la independencia, la paz y la gran unidad de la nacion con motivo del 6o aniversario de la publicacion de la historica Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio, celebrara el acto conjunto nacional para la reunificacion como sigue: 　Primero, la denominacion del acto sera "Gran Festival Nacional para la Reunificacion en Conmemoracion del 6o Aniversario de la Publicacion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio" (gran festival del 15 de junio para la reunificacion nacional). 　Segundo, el acto se realizara en Kwangju del 14 al 17 de junio con 3 noches y 4 dias. 　Tercero, la dimension del acto sera de mas o menos 150 delegados del Norte y del Sur, respectivamente, y mas de 100 delegados ultramarinos.
    　Cuarto, el contenido del acto lo incluiran la ceremonia inaugural, la conferencia nacional de reunificacion para la ejecucion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio, la reunion de los copresidentes del Comite Conjunto Nacional del 15 de Junio, los encuentros de las entidades por ramas, juegos deportivos y de recreacion, funcion artistica, el vuelo de felicitacion a prueba de avion ligero, visitas, etc. 　2. El Comite Conjunto Nacional del 15 de Junio celebrara en la zona nortena el acto conjunto nacional para la reunificacion con la participacion de los delegados del Norte, el Sur y ultramar con motivo del 61o aniversario de la liberacion de la patria. 　3. El Comite Conjunto Nacional del 15 de Junio seguira entablando los contactos de trabajo en los casos necesarios para consultar los problemas arriba mencionados, y el Norte, el Sur y ultramar brindaran activa cooperacion para este fin.