Koreans Meet in Kwangju for Grand Festival for National Reunification

    Kwangju, June 14 (KCNA Correspondent) -- A grand festival for national reunification to mark the 6th anniversary of the historic June 15 joint declaration that ushered in the new era of national reconciliation, unity and independent reunification was opened in Kwangju of south Korea Wednesday. The opening ceremony was attended by delegates and delegations from the north and the south of Korea and overseas.
    An opening address, a speech of former President Kim Dae Jung and congratulatory speeches were made at the ceremony and art performances were given by the north, south and overseas sides.

Special Issue of Bulletin Published in Italy

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The Group of Dialectical Materialists of Italy published a special issue of bulletin on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. It introduced in detail the "10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation for the Reunification of the Country."
    Accusing the United States of keeping its forces in south Korea, the bulletin referred in detail to south Korean people's mass protest actions against the U.S. moves for the expansion of its military base in Phyongthaek.

Defence Ministry's True Dialogue with Inhabitants Urged in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The military authorities arrested the chairman of the Phaengsong Township Measure Committee for Checking the Expansion of the U.S. Military Base despite its promise to have a "dialogue" with inhabitants in Phyongthaek, a clear indication of their real intention not to have a true dialogue with people. The south Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) reportedly charged this in a statement issued on June 9 blasting the behavior of the authorities. Nothing can break the will of the people to protect their lives and peace of the land from the U.S. moves to turn it into a base for war, the statement noted, and continued:
    The people will certainly mete out a judgment of history to the "regime" which enforces dictatorship and perpetrates all sorts of tyranny, while following the U.S. warmongers keen to ignite a war against the north at any cost.
    Hanchongryon will join all other people in their actions against the expansion of the U.S. base for a war and fight to protect the land of Phyongthaek.

Candlelight Memorial Service for Schoolgirls in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- A candlelight memorial service was reportedly held in Seoul on June 10 upon the lapse of four years since Sin Hyo Sun and Sim Mi Son, middle school girls of south Korea, were ruthlessly killed by a U.S. armored car. Deploring that the armored car which ran over the two schoolgirls four years ago is still running madly toward south Koreans, speakers at the memorial service vented their wrath, saying: "The government declared it would say what it should to the United States, riding on the crest of the surging tide of mourning over the death of Hyo Sun and Mi Son. But it is now cracking down on the residents of Phyongthaek to transfer the land there to the U.S. forces."
    Read out at the service were memorial address to Sin Hyo Sun and Sim Mi Son and an appeal.
    The appeal called upon all the forces defending lives, peace and human rights to turn out in a more intensive anti-U.S. struggle to achieve independence and peace.

Functions for Reunification Held in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Functions for national reunification were held in different parts of south Korea on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration. "Ring gold bell of reunified family", "Film festival for reunification", a ceremony for marking the sixth anniversary of the joint declaration, piecing together 61.5m Korean Peninsula flag, an exhibition of reunification pictures, an art performance and other functions of diverse forms were held in different districts of Kwangju on June 10 under the sponsorship of the South Side Committee for the Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration.
    And a "June 15 planning festival" on the subject of "June 15 opening the door of reunification by our nation itself" was opened in front of the former building of the South Jolla Provincial Office in Kwangju.
    A "declaration ceremony for urging institution of 'commemoration day of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration" took place at the Hungsadan hall in the university road of Seoul on the same day.
    On June 11 an art performance on the subject of national reunification and a concert "stream of worker welcomers" were held in Kwangju and a "function for peaceful reunification to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration" held in Jeju Island under the sponsorship of the Jeju Headquarters of the June 15 South Side Committee.

Anniversary of June 15 Joint Declaration Marked Abroad

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- An Oceanian function marking the sixth anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration was reportedly held in Sidney on June 5 under the sponsorship of the Oceanian Regional Committee for the Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration. The North-South Joint Declaration which was published on June 15, 2000 was read out at the function.
    Speakers said that the joint declaration was adopted in accordance with the desire of all the fellow countrymen for national reunification on June 15, 2000 and an atmosphere of reconciliation and cooperation between the north and the south has since been stirred up in the Korean Peninsula.
    Now that the foreign forces' ambition for territorial expansion has become undisguised, national unity presents itself as a more urgent issue than ever before, they said, stressing the need for the Oceanian Regional Committee for the Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration to work harder.
    At the function an agreement of the Joint National Committee for the Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration was read out and delegates to the June 15 grand festival for national reunification to be held in Kwangju from June 14 to 17 were selected. And a videocassette recording the activities of the Oceanian regional committee last year was shown.
    Meanwhile, a ceremony of marking the sixth anniversary of the joint declaration was held in Los Angeles on June 10 under the sponsorship of the Western Committee of the U.S. Regional Committee for the Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration.

Changes in S. Korean People's Consciousness

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Stating that there have been two changes in the consciousness of the south Korean patriotic people in six years after the publication of the historic June 15 joint declaration, Jo Il Min, chief of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front, said: One of them is the establishment of reverence for the great leader of the Korean nation Kim Jong Il and the other is the rapid upsurge of the anti-U.S. struggle for independence. This reality well illustrates the sharp growth of the sentiments of national cooperation in the national reunification movement of the south Korean people. He was answering a question put by KCNA Tuesday on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration.
    Referring to the fact that unquestioned prestige of Kim Jong Il and his benevolent image have been firmly rooted in the consciousness of the south Korean people over the past six years, Jo Il Min went on:
    As many as more than 3,500 photographs of him and at least 4,500 articles on his greatness, public reaction to his activities, impressions and accounts of audiences granted by him were carried in leading media of south Korea in six years.
    At every venue of post-June 15 discussions of the question of shaping the independent destiny of the nation and the reunification issue, the people highly praised Kim Jong Il as "a man quick in decision and practice" and "a man possessed of literary and military arts, talents and virtues". And they look up to him as "a great political veteran" and "mysterious leader" produced by the nation.
    The anti-U.S. struggle for independence has developed into the basic form of the mass movement. Diverse forms of anti-U.S. struggle involving upwards of 23 million people took place during the six years in south Korea.
    This anti-U.S. struggle sent shivers down the spines of the White House and the U.S. forces authorities present in south Korea. All the processes of the reunification movement after the publication of the joint declaration have been, in short, processes of a struggle to carry into action the main spirit of "By our nation itself" laid down in the joint declaration and render greater scope to it.
    The marvelous changes in the consciousness of the south Korean people are a brilliant fruition of the Songun politics of Kim Jong Il, incarnation of patriotism and lodestar of reunification, and the June 15 joint declaration.

Rodong Sinmun Calls for Defending Idea of NAM

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The non-aligned countries should wage a dynamic joint struggle against imperialism and dominationism under the banner of independence against imperialism so as to defend the basic principle and noble idea of the Non-aligned Movement, get it to discharge its mission and positively contribute to building a peaceful and prosperous new world, free from aggression and plunder, says Rodong Sinmun in a signed article Wednesday. Recalling that the recent ministerial meeting of the NAM coordinating bureau discussed the issues of defending the principle of the NAM and strengthening its unity and solidarity, the article goes on:
    The meeting demonstrated once again the will of the non-aligned countries to enhance the role of the movement as an independent political force, not involved in any bloc.
    The serious developments and problems arising in the new century require the NAM to defend its basic principle and idea and enhance its position and role.
    In order to discharge its mission the NAM should, first of all, steadfastly maintain its basic idea and principle.
    The basic idea of the movement is independence against imperialism and its basic principle is to go independent, not involved in any bloc. Independence precisely means life and soul of the movement. Only when the non-aligned countries thoroughly apply the principle of independence to all its activities, can they overcome the interference and obstructive moves of the imperialists and dominationists, maintain and strengthen the position of the movement as an independent political force and give full play to its peculiar characteristics.
    Peaceful environment is very important for non-aligned and developing countries aspiring after progress in the new century. The peaceful environment wanted by these countries is unthinkable without struggle against imperialism.
    The slogan the NAM should put forward in its struggle in the new century is independence against imperialism and defence of peace.
    For the NAM, to struggle in defence of peace is the exercise of its legitimate right and its duty on behalf of the times to meet the interests of member nations and step up their prosperity and progress.
    If the NAM is to contribute to ensuring global peace and security it should pay deep attention to categorically rejecting the double-standards in international relations and getting the principles of equality and impartiality preserved. The non-aligned countries should take collective action to reject the imperialists' application of double-standards, keeping vigilance over its consequences.
    In order to strengthen the NAM and vitalize its activities it is necessary to boost unity and solidarity among member nations.
    It is also necessary for the non-aligned countries to give full play to the tradition of unity and counter with the strategy of unity the imperialists' separatist move for undermining the NAM and take a joint step in the international arena to defend and carry through their common interests and demands.
    The NAM member nations should take a joint action to ensure that the principle of respecting sovereignty is strictly abided by in handling major pending international issues such as disarmament, human rights, anti-terrorism and UN reform.
    When the member nations strengthen unity, the might of the NAM will grow stronger.

Cultivation of Sponge Gourd Encouraged

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Sponge gourd is being widely cultivated in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A campaign to plant sponge gourd in idle land is being launched at institutions, enterprises and residential quarters of Pyongyang and local areas.
    The sponge gourd is a cash crop that the Korean people have grown from olden times.
    Its attractive fruits and thick vine emitting fragrance make the life emotional.
    There are two species of sponge gourd--one for fiber and the other for food.
    The sponge gourd for fiber is dried and used as kitchen cleaner and shoe liner.
    The fruits of the species for food are picked to cook ten days after the falling of the flower.
    The juice of the sponge gourd harvested before frost are used not only as raw materials for beauty lotion, perfume and cosmetics but also as medicine for the treatment of malignant abscess, waist pains, fever and cough. And it is applicable to increasing mother's milk volume and neutralizing poison.
    The oil contained in the seeds is used as painting materials.
    The sponge gourd plant is resistant blights and harmful inspects.

Book "Sun's Flowers" Published

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang Publishing House of the DPRK has recently brought "Sun's Flowers" into the world. The book introduces how Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia, the flowers of the sun, were bred in reflection of the warm reverence of the humankind for President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il and how the two kinds of flowers became flowers loved by all people, king of the flowers and valuable flowers representing the times.
    It consists of four parts -- "Birth of Sun's Flowers", "Sun's Flowers Take Root Deep in Earth", "Sun's Flowers Bloom throughout World" and "Cultivation and Propagation Base of Sun's Flowers and World-famous Flower Festival". It gives the profound reverence reflected in the flowers.
    The readers of the book will keenly realize once again the brilliant intelligence, distinguished gifts, lofty personality and virtue of the peerlessly great men who are extolled as the great sun.

Polish Embassy Officials Help Korean Farmers

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- Polish Ambassador to the DPRK Roman Iwaszkiewicz and his embassy officials Tuesday helped the Korea-Poland Friendship Jangsuwon Co-operative Farm in field work. After being briefed on the history of the farm in front of the board of on-the-spot teachings of President Kim Il Sung, they helped the farmers in rice-transplantation to assist them in urgent farm work.
    They appreciated a performance given by kindergarteners of the farm and chatted with farmers, deepening friendly sentiments.
    The ambassador wished the farm a good crop this year. "We will make energetic efforts for the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between two countries with a long tradition," he said.
    The embassy officials handed aid materials to the farm.

North Side's Delegations Leave for S. Korea

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The north side's delegations left here on Wednesday to participate in the grand festival for national reunification for celebrating the 6th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration to be held in Kwangju, south Korea. They are a delegation of authorities led by Kim Yong Dae, vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, a non-governmental delegation led by An Kyong Ho, chairman of the North Side's Committee for Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration and a musical troupe for reunification.
    A delegation of the General Association of Koreans in China led by Cha Sang Bo, vice-chairman of the association who is vice-chairman of the Overseas Side's Committee for Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration, and Kim Yong Sul, chairman of the United Confederation of Koreans in Ukraine, left with the north side's delegations to participate in the festival.
    The delegations were seen off at the airport by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Ryu Mi Yong, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Chondoist Chongu Party, Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, Kim Su Hak, minister of Public Health, Kim Yong Ho, chief secretary of the Cabinet, Kwon Ho Ung, head of the north side's delegation to the inter-Korean ministerial talks, leading officials of working people's organizations and officials concerned.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il inspecciona Unidad no. 147 del EPC

    Pyongyang, 14 de junio (ATCC) -- El Comandante Supremo 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, inspecciono la Unidad No. 147 del Ejercito Popular de Corea. Guiado por el jefe de la unidad, el Comandante Supremo recorrio la sala de educacion en la historia revolucionaria y la sala de presentacion del historial.
    Bajo la esmerada atencion del Presidente Kim Il Sung la unidad crecio como un invencible destacamento de combate, senalo y subrayo la necesidad de materializar el legado del Presidente para adquirir la capacidad de ganar victoria siempre.
    Luego de hacer conocimiento del estado de cumplimento del deber de la unidad, vio un entrenamiento de los militares.
    Muy contento de que los oficiales y soldados de la unidad poseen la tecnica militar y la capacidad combativa a traves de los ejercicios cotidianos y cumplen con responsabilidad el servicio de guardia, manteniendose en estado de alerta y de disposicion combativa, indico las tareas que se presentan para fortalecer la combatividad de la unidad.
    El Comandante Supremo se reunio con los militares con quienes se habia encontrado hace mas de diez anos en el camino de su inspeccion al frente y les felicito a ellos ya hechos competentes oficiales.
    El Comandante Supremo recorrio el recinto del cuartel rodeado por los frondosos arboles para enterarse de la administracion de la unidad.
    Se mostro muy satisfecho de que los militares realizaron la forestacion al plantar y cuidar los arboles de buenas especies y arreglaron con esmero el cuartel y el recinto y evaluo de altos los exitos de los militares quienes se destacan en la administracion de la unidad.
    Hoy dia, en todas partes donde viven los militares del EPC se ven semejantes aspectos del ejercito regular, dijo y anadio que esta transformacion orgullosa se debe al ardiente patriotismo de los soldados en la epoca del Songun (priorizacion militar).
    Luego de recorrer las instalaciones de cultura, educacion e intendencia, elogio las magnificas condiciones de vida ofrecidas a los militares.
    El Comandante Supremo se fotografio junto a los militares de la unidad.
    Le acompanaron los generales de ejercito del EPC Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae y Pak Jae Gyong.

Rodong Sinmun llama a defender el ideal del MNOAL

    Pyongyang, 14 de junio (ATCC) -- Los paises no alineados al librar energicamente la lucha comun contra el imperialismo y dominacionismo bajo la bandera del antiimperialismo e independencia deben defender el principio fundamental y el noble ideal del movimiento de los no alineados (MNOAL), y hacer que este cumpla con su mision para contribuir activamente a la construccion de un nuevo mundo pacifico y prospero, sin agresion ni pillaje. Asi senala el diario Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual del dia 14 y continua:
    En la reunion ministerial del comite coordinador del MNOAL efectuado recientemente se discutieron el problema de defender el principio y fortalecer la unidad y solidaridad del MNOAL.
    La presente reunion volvio a demostrar la voluntad de los paises no alineados de elevar el papel del MNOAL como una fuerza politica independiente.
    Los incidentes alarmantes que se presentan en el nuevo siglo demuestran que el MNOAL debe defender su principio fundamental e ideal y elevar su posicion y papel. Para cumplir con su mision, ante todo, el MNOAL debe defender su ideal y principio fundamentales.
    El ideal fundamental del MNOAL es el antiimperialismo y la independencia y su principio fundamental es ir de modo independiente sin alistarse en los bloques de cualquier indole. La independencia es la vida del MNOAL. Los paises no alineados al materializar estrictamente el principio de independencia en todas sus actividades podran detener la intervencion y los actos estorbadores de los imperialistas y dominacionistas, fortalecer su posicion de fuerza politica independiente y mantener su caracteristica inherente.
    Para los paises no alineados, y en via de desarrollo en el nuevo siglo, es importantisima la circunstancia pacifica. Esta no se puede crear al margen de la lucha antiimperialista.
    La consigna de lucha que debe enarbolar el MNOAL en el nuevo siglo es la independencia antiimperialista y la preservacion de la paz. La lucha del MNOAL por preservar la paz es ejercicio de su legitimo derecho para defender los intereses de sus miembros y lograr con anticipacion la prosperidad y el desarrollo, y el deber asumido ante la epoca.
    Para contribuir a la preservacion de la paz y seguridad del mundo el MNOAL debe rechazar categoricamente la pauta de doble rasero en las relaciones internacionales y prestar profunda atencion a observar el principio de igualdad e imparcialidad.
    Para activar el MNOAL es necesario fortalecer la unidad y solidaridad de los paises miembros.
    Los paises no alineados deben oponer su estrategia de la unidad a las maniobras de division y cizana de los imperialistas de descomponer el MNOAL y coordinar la accion en la escena internacional para defender los intereses comunes y materializar su demanda comun.
    Los paises miembros de MNOAL deben coordinar la accion para que se observe estrictamente el principio de respeto a la soberania en los principales problemas internacionales tales como el desarme, los derechos humanos, antiterrorismo, la reforma de la ONU, etc.
    Los paises del MNOAL al fortalecer su unidad podran incrementar incomparablemente el poderio de este movimiento.

Editado libro "Flores de Sol"

    Pyongyang, 14 de junio (ATCC) -- La Editorial de Pyongyang acabo de editar el libro "Flores de Sol". @El libro narra que Kimilsungia y Kimjongilia hicieron su aparicion traduciendo el anhelo de la humanidad y hoy dia, se llaman "flores de Sol que admiran toda la humanidad", "rey de las flores" y "Raras flores que representan la epoca".
    @El libro consta de 4 partes: "Aparicion de las flores de Sol", "Flores de Sol que echaron profundas raices en la tierra", "Flores de Sol que se divulgan en todo el mundo" y "Bases de cultivo y divulgacion de las flores y festival mundial de flor". Ofrece los datos vivos alusivos a la admiracion de los pueblos del mundo hacia estas flores.
    @Al leer el libro, el pueblo coreano y los demas progresistas del mundo sentiran en carne propia la excepcional presciencia, los sobresalientes y nobles rasgos y virtudes de los grandes hombres sin iguales.

Delegacion nortena parte de Pyongyang hacia Kwangju

    Pyongyang, 14 de junio (ATCC) -- La delegacion de la parte Norte partio el dia 14 de esta capital para participar en el gran festival por la reunificacion nacional que se efectuara en Kwangju del Sur de Corea con motivo del 6o aniversario de la publicacion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio. La delegacion la componen la de autoridades presidida por el vicepresidente del Comite por la Reunificacion Pacifica de la Patria (CRPP), Kim Yong Dae, la de civiles dirigida por el presidente del Comite del Norte para la Ejecucion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio, An Kyong Ho, y un grupo de artistas por la reunificacion.
    Partieron junto con ella la delegacion de la Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en China, encabezada por su subtitular Cha Sang Bo quien es vicepresidente del Comite Ultramarino para la Ejecucion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio, y el presidente de la Asociacion de Coreanos en Ucrania (Unidad), Kim Yong Sul.
    Los despidieron en el aeropuerto Yang Hyong Sop, vicepresidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema; Ryu Mi Yong, presidenta del CC del Partido Chondoista Chong-U; Kang Nung Su, ministro de Cultura; Kim Su Hak, ministro de Salud Publica; Kim Yong Ho, jefe del Secretariado del Consejo de Ministros; Kwon Ho Ung, jefe de la parte Norte para las conversaciones ministeriales N-S; funcionarios responsables de las organizaciones de masas y otros funcionarios interesados.