Inter-Korean General-Level Military Talks Open
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) - The fourth north-south general-level military talks opened in the portion of the south side at Panmunjom Tuesday.
Attending the talks was the delegation of the north side headed by Lieut. General of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong Chol.
At the talks both sides continued the discussion on the agenda item of the previous talks "On military measures for preventing clashes in the waters of the West Sea of Korea and realizing joint fishing there."
The head of the north side's delegation and the chief delegate of the south side spoke at the talks.
The head of the north side's delegation underscored the need for the two sides to deepen the discussion on the agenda item and reach an agreement that would meet the expectations and wishes of the nation. Then he referred to the differences manifested in the stands of the two sides at the last talks and in the subsequent period.
He emphasized the following points as ways of reaching a satisfactory agreement on a series of issues related to the agenda item:
Both sides should take, among other things, the firm stand and approach to play a main role in finding an earliest possible solution to the issue of the waters in the West Sea and strictly abide by the principle of promoting the common prosperity and interests of the nation, the principle of respecting each other's territorial rights and the principle of defining a new military demarcation line in the waters to meet the legal and institutional requirements recognized at home and abroad on the basis of boldly discarding all their assertions that may trigger off clashes.
He set forth the following proposals on removing the very cause of military clashes in the waters of the West Sea of Korea and realizing joint fishing there:
Both sides should boldly discard all the divergent assertions about boundaries in the waters they have so far maintained, the very cause of military clashes.
In order to reach an earliest possible agreement on non-aggression, both sides should fix the Military Demarcation Line in the waters of the West Sea as required by the Armistice Agreement and the publicly recognized international law and take various measures for building military confidence.
The new MDL in the waters of the West Sea should be fixed on the principle of strictly respecting each other's right of territory and territorial waters.
Accordingly, the north side should recognize the sovereignty of the south side over five islets in the West Sea and the issue of controlling the waters off islets around them should be defined under a reasonable agreement of both sides.
The MDL in the waters where both sides are standing in confrontation with each other closely should be fixed on the principle of halving them and the MDL in other waters on the principle of respecting each other's right of territorial waters.
They should have a working-level contact for fixing the MDL in the waters of the West Sea, depending upon agreeing to these principled matters.
The joint fishing in the waters of the West Sea should be realized on the principle of strictly promoting the common prosperity and interests of both sides.
Waters for joint fishing should be fixed in the direction of realizing the wishes of fishermen of the north and the south to conduct free fishing operations, while protecting precious aquatic resources of the nation in vast waters of the West Sea fraught with the danger of clashes.
Waters for joint fishing should be fixed on the premise that the new MDL is defined in the waters of the West Sea.
Even after the sea MDL is drawn, waters for joint fishing may be fixed in the waters under the control of the north side or in the waters under the control of the south side when both sides deem them favorable for joint fishing.
In case the waters for joint fishing are fixed, both sides should opt for giving a military guarantee for joint fishing.
When both sides agree to the above-said points, they should decide on the specific waters for joint fishing at a working-level contact for fixing the sea MDL and take measures for joint fishing including the method of joint fishing at a working-level contact of relevant specialists.
The head of the north side's delegation went on to say:
In order to find an early solution to the agenda item it is necessary for the two sides to focus their attention and efforts on settling their differences and to this end it is necessary to be bold enough to discard the wrong assertions that do not hold water.
It is essential to give top priority to removing the very cause of clashes in the above-said controversial waters and opt for totally halting all the war exercises to be staged with the U.S. quite contrary to the atmosphere of dialogue, from the stand of defusing the tension. If the south side finds it quite hard to do so, it should take a measure of halting them for the time being while a series of dialogues are under way.
If the south side is interested in putting an end to clashes and wiping out distrust and sincerely stands for confidence building, it should not hesitate to opt for removing the very cause of them but take such practical measures as ensuring the direct sailing of the north side's civilian ships to Haeju Port and their safe passage through the Jeju Straits as early as possible.
The talks go on.
Japan's Dangerous Moves for Re-Invasion under Fire
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary terms the Japanese militarists' claim to Tok Islet a premeditated provocation aimed at staging a comeback to Korea.
The Korean nation and the Japanese nation are standing in acute confrontation with each other and the situation remains tense in Northeast Asia due to the Japanese reactionaries' moves to grab the islet, the commentary says, and goes on:
There can be neither concession nor compromise as regards the issue of territory.
The Korean people were subjected to miserable colonial slavery in the past after being deprived of the national sovereignty by the Japanese imperialists. Japan's moves to stage a comeback to Korea should never be allowed. The Korean people regard the Japanese militarists' moves to grab the islet as a dangerous military provocation to launch reinvasion of Korea and are strongly reacting to it. If the Japanese militarists persist in exacerbating the tension, insisting on the claim to the islet, it will entail unpredictable consequences.
Japan is taking a hypocritical attitude toward the issue of the past crime-woven history and apology as it is pursuing a sinister aim to repeat its past crimes. Its claim to the islet and moves to seize it are prompted by the above-said purpose.
Sovereignty is what keeps a country and a nation alive. To shatter the Japanese militarists' moves to grab the islet is an important matter of keeping the Japanese invaders from staging a comeback to the inviolable land of Korea and defending the sovereignty of the nation. The Korean people remain vigilant against the reckless moves of the Japanese militarists to grab the islet, part of the inviolable territory of Korea.
The Japanese right-wing conservatives should discard their hypocritical attitude toward the issue of the past crime-woven history and apology and their ambition to seize the territory.
KCNA Blasts Japan's Hectic Diplomacy over "Issue of Abduction"
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Senior politicians and diplomats of Japan are busy with diplomacy at home and abroad aimed at eliciting "international cooperation" over the "issue of abduction."
They never miss the chance to raise this issue no matter what foreign VIPs they meet at home and at any international forum.
This hectic diplomacy of Japan prompts everyone to think that the "issue of abduction" has become a topic of its politics and diplomacy.
In a word, Japan is using the issue as a justification and lever for playing the role of a shock force in putting into practice the U.S. plot against the DPRK.
Both the U.S. and Japan are colluding with each other in the smear campaign over the issue as they share interests in pursuing a hostile policy towards the DPRK.
The Japanese reactionaries consider their racket over "the issue of abduction" favorable for pleasing their American master because they hype up this matter and work hard to build up public opinion, keeping pace with Washington's "human rights" row.
U.S. Secretary of State Rice, referring to the meeting of President Bush with families of "Japanese abductees" on April 28, said the meeting is an indication of the U.S. commitment to settle the "abduction issue" and "human rights issue" and assured Japan that the U.S. would continue paying attention to the matter.
Addressing a press conference held in its wake, she asserted that no friends are better than Japan.
As a matter of fact, no country is as sincere in helping the U.S. as Japan.
The ultra-right conservative forces of Japan are seeking various aims in the "issue of abduction." The most important of them is to play a role in executing the U.S. policy to stifle the DPRK in a bid to please the Uncle Sam. Precisely for this reason no sooner had Washington cried out for "sanctions" than Tokyo echoed it.
Japan's base behavior to solicit cheap sympathy with its racket over the issue, which had already found a solution, from other allies of the U.S., pursuant to its hostile policy towards the DPRK, once again helps the international community understand the political reality in Japan, a political dwarf.
Japan is ill-famed for its evil doings as it has not yet apologized for so many crimes though more than half a century has passed since its defeat. It is quite natural that Japan is censured by the international community for its ugly image and unlimited ambitions.
Japan's oft-repeated hue and cry over the "issue of abduction" reminds one of a prostitute who claims to be chaste.
Cause of Korean People Supported
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- A meeting of the General Board of Directors of the World Federation of Democratic Youth took place from May 9 to 11 in Athens, Greece, with the attendance of representatives of youth organizations from more than 30 countries.
The meeting sharply denounced the U.S. for its evermore undisguised moves to stifle the DPRK and expressed full support and solidarity with the Korean people in their cause of justice.
The political report at the meeting said the U.S. harbors the wild ambition to gain control and domination over Northeast Asia and strategic advantage in the region with the Korean Peninsula situated at a very important military and geopolitical vantage as the springboard.
It went on:
The U.S. is clinging to a policy of increasing economic and military pressure upon the DPRK.
The World Federation of Democratic Youth strongly denounces the U.S. troops' occupation of the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and the U.S. administration's wrong policy of steadily aggravating the regional instability. It demands the U.S. immediately discontinue its nuclear racket, aggressive moves and economic sanction against the DPRK.
The meeting adopted a resolution on the peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula, in which the General Board of Directors of the WFDY called upon all the progressive organizations standing for peace against war to take an active part in the struggle to check a new war on the Korean Peninsula and force the U.S. troops out of south Korea.
S. Korean and Japanese Organizations to Conduct Solidarity Actions
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Citizens organizations of south Korea and Japan formed the "south Korea-Japan Citizens Solidarity for Making Correct History" on May 12 and agreed to conduct solidarity actions against Japan's moves to distort history, according to south Korean CBS.
The solidarity will group at least 50 citizens organizations in Seoul and Pusan with Pusan National School as a main player in south Korea and the National Citizens Solidarity against the Retrogressive Revision of the Basic Law on Education and other organizations in Japan, CBS added.
Ugandan Military Delegation Feted
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of the People's Armed Forces hosted a banquet Tuesday for the visiting Ugandan military delegation.
Present there on invitation were Aronda Nyakairima, commander of the People's Defense Forces of Uganda, and members of the delegation.
On hand were Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces, Kim Jong Gak, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, general officers and officers of the KPA.
Speeches were made there.
U.S. Official's Arrogant Act Flayed
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- The special envoy for north Korean human rights issue of the U.S. State Department in an article contributed to the Wall Street Journal shortly ago accused south Korean businesses that have advanced to the Kaesong Industrial Zone of helping the north Korean regime, spinning out a string of trash about human rights performance in the north.
Ridiculing his arrogance in throwing together balderdash slandering the DPRK and interfering in the internal affairs of south Korea, a Minju Joson analyst Wednesday says south Korea is not what it was in the past.
Since the publication of the June 15 joint declaration at the historic inter-Korean summit meeting, the south Koreans' awareness of national independence and their desire for reunification have rapidly surged to a high pitch and the whole of south Korea has been swept by a hot wind of independence and reunification and this has driven the pro-U.S. conservative forces to a tight corner, the commentary notes, and goes on:
Loud cries that "We will reunify the country by ourselves and lead a happy life. Yankees go home!" are ringing out from all parts of south Korea and mass protests demanding the punishment of U.S. criminals, withdrawal of the U.S. military bases and pullback of the U.S. forces are going on everyday in south Korea, which is now an area of stormy anti-U.S. struggle, not a tranquil zone for the United States.
A man passing himself off as the special envoy for the north Korean human rights issue should have known this much before wagging his tongue. However, he pointed his accusing finger at south Korea, behaving like the governor-general in a colony. It is only too natural that he was put to shame by a strong protest of the south Koreans.
The shame he suffered was not a mere shame. It meant the bankruptcy of the U.S. Korea policy. The harder the Bush bellicose group tries to bar the improvement of the inter-Korean relations, while keeping south Korea under its military occupation, openly poking its nose into the internal affairs of south Korea, and antagonizing the DPRK, the greater will be the disgrace brought to it.
The Bush administration should make a fundamental switchover in its anachronistic Korea policy, withdraw the U.S. forces from south Korea and refrain from interfering in the affairs between the north and the south, if it does not want to face such shame again.
Talchon Spa Curative of Diseases
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- The Talchon Spa situated in Talchon-ri of Samchon County, South Hwanghae Province, the DPRK, has become famous as its curative effect.
The spa is also called Jongdal (lark) Spa. The name was derived from a legend that a lark recovered its broken leg in the spa.
The Jongdal Spa is recorded in the book "Korean Geography" published in 1481. This means that the spa was found out and used far ahead of that time.
Its total content of mineral substances per liter is 0.25-0.3g and Rn gas is 135-675Bq.
The temperature of the radon spa with weak mineral substances is 43-52 degrees Celsius and pH is 8.7. And a large amount of mineral water gushes out.
Its main ion ingredients are CI, HCO3 and H2CO3.
The spa is effective against neuralgia, peripheral neuritis, rheumatic arthritis, meningitis, traumatism and sterility.
There are in the county several sanatoriums including the Talchon Honored Disabled Soldiers Sanatorium equipped with modern balneotherapy facilities.
The sanatoriums give medical treatment to a large number of working people and honored disabled soldiers every year in combination with bath, shower bath, sand bath, air bath, exercise therapy, massage and mud treatment.
DPRK and China Cooperate in Field of Inspection and Quarantine
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- An agreement on cooperation in the field of inspection and quarantine between the DPRK State Bureau of Quality Control and the State General Administration of Quality Supervision's Inspection and Quarantine of China was inked in Beijing on May 17.
The agreement was signed by Kim Hyong Chol, director of the DPRK State Bureau of Quality Control who is heading its delegation, and Li Changjiang, director general of the State General Administration of Quality Supervision's Inspection and Quarantine of China.
Friendly Meeting with Iranian Embassy Officials Held
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- The DPRK-Iran Friendship Association Wednesday arranged a friendly meeting with staff members of the Iranian embassy here at the Korea-Iran Friendship Pyongyang Sosong Middle School No. 1 on the occasion of the week of DPRK-Iran friendship.
Present there on invitation were Iranian Ambassador to the DPRK Jalaleddin Namini Mianji and staff members of the embassy.
On hand were Jon Yong Jin, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is vice-chairman of the DPRK-Iran Friendship Association, members of the association and teachers and students of the school.
Prior to the meeting, the participants went round a room devoted to history of the school and its educational facilities.
Then they enjoyed an art performance given by its students and had sports and amusement games, deepening the friendship.
Gift to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Turkey.
The gift was conveyed to Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Wednesday by Mehmet Bedri Gultekin, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Turkey, on a visit to the DPRK.
Choe Thae Bok Meets Turkish Party Delegation
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, met and had a conversation with a delegation of the Workers' Party of Turkey led by Vice-Chairman of its Central Committee Mehmet Bedri Gultekin on Wednesday.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Arrives
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, foreign minister of Malaysia, and his party arrived here Wednesday.
They were met at the airport by Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Jamal Sharifuddin Bin Johan, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Malaysian embassy here.
DPRK Hails Conclusion of Peace Agreement for Settlement of Darfur Crisis
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government and people that have consistently asserted a peaceful settlement of all disputes through dialogues and negotiations free from foreign interference sincerely rejoice at and warmly hail the provision of a political and legal foundation for the settlement of the crisis in Darfur.
Paek Nam Sun, minister of Foreign Affairs, said this in a message sent to Lam Akol, foreign minister of Sudan, in connection with the recent conclusion of a peace agreement for settling the crisis in Darfur thanks to the sincere efforts of the Sudanese government.
The conclusion of the peace agreement marks a great event that demonstrated the firm will of the Sudanese government to peacefully settle all disputes by its own efforts and opened a bright future for the Sudanese people desirous of the country's stability, unity, progress and prosperity, the message noted.
Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the future, the message sincerely wished the Sudanese government and people fresh and greater success in their efforts to put a definite end to the internal disturbances and achieve durable peace and national unity.
Issue of Kim Dae Jung's Visit to Pyongyang Discussed
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- A working-level contact between delegates of the north and the south took place at Mt. Kumgang resort on May 16 and 17 to discuss the issue of former south Korean President Kim Dae Jung's visit to Pyongyang.
Present at the contact from the north side were its delegates led by Ri Jong Hyok, vice-chairman of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, and from the south side its delegates with Jong Se Hyon, former Minister of Unification, as its chief delegate.
At the contact both sides clarified each other's stands related to the visit of Kim Dae Jung to Pyongyang in June, exchanged their views and discussed technical issues related to it.
They agreed to have the next round of contact in Kaesong on May 29.
Kim Jong Il Inspects KPA Unit
Pyongyang, May 17 (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 Unit 1464.
He dropped in at a military lecture room to acquaint himself with the training of its servicepersons.
He highly appreciated the successes made by the unit in its enormous efforts bent to increase its combat capability, expressing satisfaction over the fact that it has prepared all its servicepersons as a-match-for-a hundred fighters equipped with a high level of combat technique and combat capability.
Watching a big map displayed in the compound of the barracks, he said that it is very good to imbue its servicepersons with rich common sense of geography with a help of a map and infuse patriotism into them.
Going round entertainment, educational and supply service facilities, he acquainted himself in detail with soldiers' service and living. He indicated a specific orientation and ways of rendering supply service including the organization of many-sided sideline job.
He called on all commanding officers to take care of the soldiers' living with parental love just as the commanding officers of the Anti-Japanese Guerilla Army did and thus provide them with better living conditions as they are dedicating themselves to the defence of the country.
He gave the servicepersons of the 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 and Vice Department Director of the C.C., WPK Hwang Pyong So.
For Spanish-speaking people
Kim Jong Il inspecciona la Unidad No. 1891 del EPC
Pyongyang, 17 de mayo (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea, inspecciono la Unidad No.1891 del EPC.
Tras hacer conocimiento del estado de cumplimiento del deber de la unidad, se dirigio a la sala de reuniones donde se entero de la labor ideo-politica observando los registros de proezas alusivos a la historia de desarrollo de la unidad y los materiales visuales de varios generos necesarios para la educacion revolucionaria y clasista.
Elogio el desarrollo efectivo de la labor de educacion ideo-politica, en particular, de la educacion revolucionaria y clasista y subrayo que siempre se debe prestar atencion primordial a la educacion ideologica.
Al recorrer las instalaciones de intendencia, se mostro satisfecho de que la unidad dedica profunda atencion a la vida de los soldados.
El Comandante Supremo dijo que al aprender el estilo de lucha y de vida de la guerrilla antijaponesa, todas las unidades del EPC registraron cambios asombrosos en todas las esferas de la vida ideologica, moral y cultural y anadio que estos exitos orgullosos son fruto del gran espiritu revolucionario de los militares creado por nuestro ejercito en la epoca del Songun (priorizacion militar).
Se fotografio junto a los militares.
Le acompanaron los generales de ejercito del EPC Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae y Pak Jae Gyong, y el subjefe de departamento del CC del PTC Hwang Pyong So.
Minju Joson critica arrogante articulo de enviado especial yanqui
Pyongyang, 17 de mayo (ATCC) -- Hace unos dias, el llamado "enviado especial encargado de DDHH del Norte de Corea" del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos publico en el periodico estadounidense "Wall Street Journal" un articulo suyo censurando la situacion de "derechos humanos" en el Norte de Corea y la supuesta "ayuda al poder norcoreano" por parte de las empresas surcoreanas que operan en la zona industrial de Kaesong.
Al respecto, el rotativo Minju Joson inserto en su edicion del dia 17 un comentario individual que senala en particular:
Ante todo, el muy torpe oficial estadounidense debe saber que el Sur de Corea de hoy no es el de ayer.
Una vez publicada la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio en el historico encuentro entre los maximos dirigentes del Norte y el Sur de Corea, crecen con rapidez la conciencia de independencia nacional y la aspiracion a la reunificacion de los habitantes surcoreanos. Por consiguiente, recorre en todo el territorio surcoreano la tempestad de independencia y reunificacion y las fuerzas conservadoras pronorteamericanas se hallan cada vez mas acosadas. Desde todas partes se oyen voces gritando "!Fuera EE.UU.! Lograremos la reunificacion entre los mismos coreanos y viviremos felizmente". Se despliega todos los dias una lucha masiva en demanda del castigo a los criminales uniformados gringos, el cierre de bases militares estadounidenses y el retiro de las tropas yanquis del Sur de Corea. Asi que el territorio surcoreano ya no es una "zona exenta del clima antiyanqui" sino una "franja de fuerte lucha antiyanqui".
Entonces, el "enviado especial estadounidense encargado de DDHH del Norte de Corea", quien critico al Sur de Corea portandose como si fuera su virrey, paso tremenda verguenza ante la fuerte reaccion de los habitantes surcoreanos.
Esto significa el fracaso total de la politica de EE.UU. a Corea.
Seran cada vez mas deshonrados los belicistas liderados por Bush, por mucho que traten de mantener ocupado militarmente al Sur de Corea, intervenir en sus asuntos internos e impedir la mejora de las relaciones intercoreanas hostigando a la RPDC.
Para evitarlo, la administracion Bush debe cambiar radicalmente su anacronica politica a la RPDC, retirar a sus uniformados del suelo surcoreano y dejar de meter su nariz en las relaciones Norte-Sur.
Peligroso acto para repetir crimenes del pasado
Pyongyang, 17 de mayo (ATCC) -- La insistencia de los militaristas japoneses en el "derecho de posesion" de la isla Tok es una premeditada provocacion para agredir de nuevo a Corea.
Asi senala el periodico Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual del dia 17 y continua:
Por las maniobras de los reaccionarios japoneses para usurpar la isla Tok de Corea se crea una confrontacion aguda entre la nacion coreana y la japonesa y se torna mas tensa la situacion del Nordeste Asiatico.
En el problema territorial no habra concesion ni conciliacion.
En el pasado la soberania de la nacion coreana la arrebataron los imperialistas japoneses imponiendole el destino tragico de esclavo colonial. No se debe permitir la repeticion de nueva agresion de ese pais isleno.
El pueblo coreano hace frente rotundo a tal acto de usurpacion de la isla Tok considerandolo como peligrosa provocacion militar para emprender la nueva agresion a Corea.
La terca insistencia de Japon en el derecho de apoderamiento de la citada isla agrava la tension y puede causar una consecuencia irremediable.
Japon toma una actitud enganosa en cuanto a la historia criminal del pasado y al problema de la disculpa con la intencion de reproducir los crimenes del pasado.
La soberania es la vida del pais y la nacion. Detener la maniobra de apoderamiento de la isla Tok es la tarea importante para frenar la penetracion de los agresores japoneses en el sagrado territorio coreano y defender la soberania de la nacion.
El pueblo coreano trata con gran vigilancia tales imprudentes maniobras de los militaristas japoneses.
Las fuerzas conservadoras ultraderechistas de Japon deben abandonar su enganosa actitud en cuanto a su historia criminal y el problema de la disculpa y dejar su ambicion de usurpacion territorial.
Kim Jong Il recibe regalo del CC del PTT
Pyongyang, 17 de mayo (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio presente del Comite Central del Partido Obrero de Turquia.
Mehmet Bedri Gultekin, vicepresidente del CC de esta entidad politica, de visita en Corea lo entrego el dia 17 a Choe Thae Bok, secretario del CC del Partido del Trabajo de Corea.