National Meeting Held

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- A national meeting took place at the April 25 House of Culture here Sunday to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. Present there were Kim Yong Nam, Jo Myong Rok, Pak Pong Ju and other party, army and state cadres, chairpersons of friendly parties, members of the DPRK Cabinet, leading officials of party, armed forces and power bodies, public organizations, ministries and national institutions, officers and men of the Korean People's Army, officials in the fields of science, education, culture and art, public health and press media and organs of different levels here, labor innovators and working people.
    Choe Thae Bok, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, made a report.
    Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the WPK on June 19, Juche 53 (1964) according to the noble intention of President Kim Il Sung and the unanimous desire of the Korean army and people was a noteworthy event which brought a rosy future to the party and revolution, the country and the nation, the reporter said, and went on:
    What is distinguished in the history of his leadership over the Party is that he has developed the WPK into a mighty guiding force of the Songun revolution to provide a firm guarantee for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche.
    The WPK pioneered the unique way of perfectly and closely combining the party and the army, politics and military affairs in carrying out the cause of revolution and pushing forward the revolution and construction with the revolutionary army as the main force and the main stay. It is an event of world historical significance, the first of its kind in the history of building socialist ruling parties.
    Kim Jong Il formulated the Songun politics as the basic political mode of socialism and has concentrated all efforts on strengthening the military power to turn the People's Army into an invincible army and smash every isolating and stifling offensive of the U.S. imperialists with its might and firmly defend socialism of Juche, life and soul of the Korean people.
    It is an event of special mention in the history of the Korean revolution that under his Songun revolutionary leadership the military position of the DPRK with the People's Army as its core has been consolidated as firm as an iron wall and a firm military guarantee provided for accomplishing the cause of revolutionary cause of Juche, the cause of the Party.
    Kim Jong Il represents the future of the Party and revolution, the country and the nation and a symbol of all our victories and glory.
    We should unite closer around the headquarters of revolution headed by Kim Jong Il and firmly consolidate the single-minded unity of the whole party and army and all the people based on revolutionary comradeship centering on the leader.
    We should resolutely defend and glorify his undying feats of leadership over the Party and revolution and thoroughly establish the revolutionary trait of settling all problems arising in the building and activities of the party, the army and the state on the basis of his idea, theory and method.
    We should powerfully conduct the patriotic movement for independent reunification, peace against war and great national unity under the banner of "By our nation itself" indicated by the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration reflecting the Party's policy of national reunification and the will of all the fellow countrymen for reunification, and open up a new turning phase of national reunification.
    The Korean army and people will do their best to increase the military deterrent with sharp vigilance to cope with the moves of the U.S., which is hell-bent on provocations for war of aggression on the DPRK, resorting to its anti-DPRK policy, and its followers Japan and other bellicose forces. If the enemies ignite a war eventually, the Korean army and people will mercilessly wipe out the aggressors and give vent to the deep-rooted grudge of the nation, the reporter stressed.

Cambodian Committee for Remembering Kim Il Sung Inaugurated

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The Cambodian Committee for Remembering the Great Leader Generalissimo Kim Il Sung was inaugurated on June 12. At its inaugural ceremony Kong Sam Ol, deputy prime minister in charge of the Royal Palace, was elected chairman of the committee.
    The committee decided to organize colorful political functions on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the demise of President Kim Il Sung and widely introduce his immortal exploits in the cause of global independence and the development of the friendly relations between the two countries.

Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's Start of Work at C.C., WPK Marked in India

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Seminars, meetings, round-table talks, photo exhibitions and film shows were held by the Indian Intellectuals' Society for the Study of the Juche Idea, the Indian Working Women's Society for the Study of the Juche Philosophy, the Indian Institute for the Foreign Policy and the Binodnagar Primary School in Delhi City of India from June 3 to 10 to mark the 42nd anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. On display at the venues of functions were photos showing his exploits of Songun revolutionary leadership.
    V.K. Chopra, chairman of the Indian Intellectuals' Society, stressed at a seminar that the history of Kim Jong Il's leadership over the Party shines as a proud history in which epoch-making miracles and changes have been wrought.
    Anita Chopra, president of the Indian Working Women's Society, said at the meeting that what is most brilliant in the history of his leadership over the Party is that he formulated the revolutionary idea of President Kim Il Sung as the integral system of idea, theory and method of Juche and developed the WPK into the eternal party of the President.
    J.K. Patel, director of the Indian Institute, said at the round-table talks that the leadership system of Kim Jong Il has been established more firmly to suit the Songun era and his grandiose plan for building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation is being successfully carried into practice.
    A letter and a message of greetings to Kim Jong Il were adopted at the functions held by the Intellectuals' Society and the Working Women's Society.
    Screened at film shows were "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Gives On-the-Spot Guidance to the Work of Various Fields", "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Il Is Great Thinker and Theoretician" and other Korean films.

Solidarity with Koreans' Struggle Called for

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea issued a statement on June 12 on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and called for extending full support and solidarity to the Korean people in their struggle. Referring to the significance of the joint declaration, the statement said that the historic inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang in June 2000 encouraged the struggle of the Korean people for independent and peaceful reunification of the country.
    It said that the adoption of the joint declaration turned the inter-Korean relations of distrust and confrontation into the relations of reconciliation and cooperation and the declaration served as a landmark for helping the Koreans achieve reunification by themselves without interference of foreign forces.
    The presidium meeting of the International Liaison Committee held in Belgium this year stated that the U.S. aggressive policy toward the DPRK poses a great threat to peace in the Korean Peninsula and the world, the statement said, calling upon the world progressives to express full support and solidarity with the Koreans' struggle.

Egyptian Party Leader Praises WPK

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Ahmad Hassan, general secretary of the Nasser Arab Democratic Party of Egypt, released a statement on June 12 on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. He said in the statement that as it is led by Kim Jong Il, the WPK demonstrates its might as an ever-victorious and powerful party which remains invariably true to the idea and cause of President Kim Il Sung, its founder.
    Kim Jong Il has pursued the unique Songun politics and further strengthened the single-minded unity of the Party, the army and the people with his lucid insight into the trend of the development of the world situation after the demise of the President, he pointed out.
    He expressed the conviction that the struggle of the WPK and the Korean people to achieve the just cause would surely emerge victorious as it is guided by Kim Jong Il.

KCTU Action Program for Second Half of Year

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The south Korean Confederation of Trade Unions reportedly held the 4th extraordinary central committee meeting on June 13 and decided on its action program for the second half of the year. The KCTU said that in the second half of the year it would conduct a struggle of three stages--a period of information activities, a period of organizing a general strike and a period of staging the strike in an all-round way.
    Accordance to this program, the KCTU decided to conduct information activities for denouncing the anti-social policy of the government, organize a "national meeting of workers" with the attendance of 300,000 workers at the end of this year and stage an overall strike attended by all its affiliated union members.
    It stressed that it would work to intensify solidarity with peasants and inaugurate a permanent solidarity organization of the progressive camp.

Cause of Korea's Reunification Favored in Pakistan

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The Karachi Branch of the Pakistan-Korea Friendship Association sponsored a meeting on June 12 to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. Asadulla Khan, chairman of the branch, in a speech referred to the undying feats performed by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il in the cause for Korea's reunification.
    The desire for reconciliation, cooperation, unity and reunification has grown stronger than ever before under the banner of national independence over the last six years and inter-Korean exchange has been brisk, which is a shining fruition of the joint declaration, he said.
    Zabed Ansari, secretary general of the branch, said that Korea's reunification would be delayed and a danger created in the whole of Asia unless a war is prevented and peace defended in the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, he stressed, the Korean nation as well as progressive humankind should come out in the struggle to resolutely smash the new war provocation moves of the U.S. imperialists.
    An appeal was adopted at the meeting, which noted that the Korean people's cause of reunification has entered a new high stage and dialogue, contact and exchange between the north and the south of Korea have been unprecedentedly brisk since the adoption and publication of the joint declaration.
    The Korean people's desire for independent reunification will certainly come true when the U.S. intervention and domination are thoroughly rejected and the structure of confrontation between the whole Korean nation and the U.S. established in practice, it stressed.

North Side's Delegation Comes Back from Kwangju

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the north side, made up of 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 June 15 Joint Declaration, and a musical troupe for reunification, came back here on Saturday after participating in the grand festival for national reunification commemorating the sixth anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration held in Kwangju, south Korea. The delegation issued a statement before leaving Kwangju.
    The statement said that just are the north side's concern and warnings over the unreasonable stand of the "Grand National Party" and some media of south Korea toward the matter underlined at the Pyongyang meeting marking the 80th anniversary of the June 10 anti-Japanese demonstration.
    It was quite natural for the north-south relations that the north side clarified its stand on the situation of south Korea, and this can never be an intervention in the internal affairs of south Korea, the statement said.
    It stated that the authorities or any political party of south Korea should have a correct understanding of the principled stand of the north side in the matter related to security and peace of the nation and refrain from taking an irresolute attitude.
    Noting that during the festival a tiny handful of dishonest elements attempted in Seoul and Kwangju to impair the DPRK's dignified system, the statement said this is a grave deed detrimental to the festival for reunification and an undisguised challenge to the June 15 joint declaration. The north side demands the south Korean authorities probe the truth behind the case in a responsible manner and sternly punish the anti-reunification elements, it stressed.
    The delegation of the north side visited the monument to the students' movement for independence in Kwangju and the history museum that day.

National Taekwon-Do Championships Held

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The 9th National Taekwon-Do Championships for "Jongilbong Prize" was held at the Taekwon-Do Hall from June 12 to 17. It drew at least 500 Taekwon-Do players selected from the sports group of the Korean Taekwon-Do Committee, provincial Taekwon-Do schools, schoolchildren's palaces and halls.
    There were Taekwon-Do, Paduk and Korean wrestling matches.
    The championships produced good results conducive to developing the techniques of national martial art.
    The players of the North Hwanghae Provincial Taekwon-Do School placed first in the Taekwon-Do matches.
    The sports group of the Korean Taekwon-Do Committee won the Paduk matches and the Pyongyang City Taekwon-Do School the Korean wrestling matches.

Sports Meet for "Pochonbo Torch Cup" Closes

    Hyesan, June 17 (KCNA) -- The sports meet for "Pochonbo Torch Cup" which was opened on June 4 was closed. The men's players of the Rimyongsu Sports Group placed first in the football games.
    The players of the Sports Group of the Ministry of Land and Marine Transport won the rowing and the synchronized swimming matches and those of the Ministry of Fisheries the swimming matches.
    A closing ceremony took place at the Hyesan Stadium on June 17.
    Prizes were awarded to those teams and players who gave a good account of themselves at the sports meet.
    A closing address was made by Kim Jang San, vice-chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission.

Rodong Sinmun on Invincibility of Socialism

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il's elucidation of the invincibility of socialism is an immortal feat of great theoretical and practical significance in accomplishing the socialist cause. Rodong Sinmun Sunday says this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    His proposition "Socialism is sure to emerge victorious for its scientific accuracy and truth" makes clear the invincibility of socialism.
    The invincibility of socialism can be convinced by the Pyongyang Declaration.
    At a time when the socialist movement of the world was urgently requiring a new programme of struggle to tide over its temporary crisis and lead it to consistent progress in the end of the 1980s and the early 1990s, Kim Jong Il set forth a unique policy on providing a joint action programme of the world revolutionary parties and people, and wisely led the work for its implementation. Thus, the historic Pyongyang Declaration "Let Us Defend and Advance the Socialist Cause" was made public on April 20, 1992. At that time it was signed by 70 political parties. But the number of its signatories has reached at least 260 since then. It is now being signed by more political parties of different countries.
    The declaration has served as a banner of encouragement, banner of victory arousing the revolutionary political parties and people of the world desirous of socialism to the struggle for defending and advancing the cause of socialism. Under this banner progressive political parties of different countries have rallied all their domestic independent forces and strengthened international solidarity to wage a struggle to advance the cause of socialism.
    As the days go by, the declaration proves that socialism is invincible. It is verified by the reality of Korea. Korean-style socialism centering on the popular masses is an ideal society humankind has so ardently aspired after for thousands of years, the social system under which independence of people has been totally realized.
    It is the firm faith of the Korean army and people that socialism is sure to win in any turns and twists, the article concludes.

Rodong Sinmun on Great Leadership of Kim Jong Il

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- It is thanks to the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il, who has opened up a turning phase of developing revolution with the might of idea, that the Korean army and people have firmly defended Korean-style socialism and opened up a new brilliant era of national prosperity at a time when the moves of the U.S. imperialists and other reactionaries against the DPRK became all the more vicious in political, military, economic, ideological, cultural and all other fields and the Korean revolution was facing a harsh trial. Rodong Sinmun Sunday says this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    Kim Jong Il's famous work "Giving Priority to Ideological Work is Essential for Accomplishing Socialism", published on June 19, Juche 84 (1995), reflects his firm faith and will to defend and accomplish the socialist cause of Juche with the might of arms and idea.
    His wise leadership which opened up a new era of national prosperity with the might of idea finds its expression in the fact that he developed the socialist idea as required by the times and the developing revolution and brought about a radical turn in the ideological work so as to arouse the army and people to the drive for defending the country and building a great prosperous powerful nation.
    Thanks to his distinguished wisdom and energetic ideological and theoretical activities socialism has been placed on a scientific foundation and the Songun idea shines as the guidelines of the present times. A lot of his famous works including "Socialism Is a Science", "On Preserving the Juche Character and National Character of the Revolution and Construction" and "The Line of Songun Revolution Is a Great Revolutionary Line of Our Times and an Ever-victorious Banner of Our Revolution" were the driving force which helped our army and people to build a great prosperous powerful nation under the Songun leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea, keenly realizing the validity of the socialist cause and the conviction of its sure victory, and lift-giving water which gave a fresh vitality to the socialist movement of the world.
    A rosy future is in store for our socialist country as it is led by Kim Jong Il, a peerless thinker and theoretician who illumines the road ahead of the times.

Film Show Held

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- A documentary film "Bringing About a Great Turn with Songun Revolutionary Leadership" was screened at the People's Palace of Culture here on Saturday to mark the 42nd anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. Watching the film were Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju, Jon Pyong Ho and other senior party and state officials, vice-premiers and members of the Cabinet, officials of ministries, national institutions and working people's organizations and working people in the city of Pyongyang.
    The film deals with the historical facts that Kim Jong Il has opened a broad avenue for building a great prosperous powerful nation in this land by overcoming all difficulties and ordeals in the van and leading the "Arduous March" to victory with his original Songun politics.
    It impressively shows that Kim Jong Il strengthened the People's Army into an invincible revolutionary army, put forward the inhabitants of Jagang Province as creators of Kanggye Spirit and gave on-the-spot guidance to land realignment projects and power stations under construction, factories and rural areas across the country to kindle the flames of great surge and creation in every part of the country.
    It also deals with the historical facts proving the validity and enormous vitality of the great Songun politics whereby the historic Pyongyang Meeting was provided and the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration adopted, opening up a turning phase for Korea's reunification, and showing that the DPRK's prestige has been remarkably raised in international relations.

Russian Dance Company Presents Sacred Picture to Jongbaek Orthodox Church

    Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The visiting State Academic Moiseyev Folk Dance Company of Russia led by Director Elena Scherbakova presented a sacred picture to the Jongbaek Orthodox Church. Jesus is depicted on the sacred picture.
    A presentation ceremony took place on the spot on June 17.
    Present at the ceremony were members of the dance company, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov and officials of the embassy, diplomatic envoys of various countries and representatives of international organizations here.
    Also on hand were Hong Son Ok, vice-chairperson of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is chairwoman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association, Ho Il Jin, chairman of the Korean Orthodox Church Committee, and officials concerned.
    The participants were briefed on how the Jongbaek Orthodox Church was established.
    Then the head of the dance company conveyed the sacred picture sanctified by Alexy II, patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, to the chairman of the Korean Orthodox Church Committee.
    Speeches were made at the ceremony.
    They looked round the church at the end of the ceremony.

Functions Held in Different Countries

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Round-table talks and a film show were held by the Nasser Arab Democratic Party and the Misr Arab Socialist Party of Egypt and a seminar and a meeting by the Poland-Korea Association and its Gdynia Branch from June 3 to 10 to mark the 42nd anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 6th anniversary of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. On display in the venues of the functions were works of Kim Jong Il and photos showing his Songun leadership exploits and the drive of the Korean people to build a great prosperous powerful nation and publications.
    The chairmen of the Nasser Arab Democratic Party and the Misr Arab Socialist Party of Egypt said in their speeches that the struggle of the WPK and the Korean people firmly defending the sovereignty and dignity of the country despite the evermore undisguised interference of the U.S. and the West greatly is a great encouragement to their parties.
    Speakers at the seminar sponsored by the Poland-Korea Association referred to the fact that Kim Jong Il has wisely led the Korean people in their efforts to build a great prosperous powerful nation and achieve national reunification with his Songun politics. They wished the Korean people greater success under his original Songun leadership. The participants in the film show sponsored by the Misr Arab Socialist Party appreciated Korean film "The Great Leadership for Victoriously Building a Great Prosperous Powerful Nation".

Kim Jong Il's Exploits Praised by Foreign Figures

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- A lecture, a meeting, round-table talks and film shows were held by the Pakistan Socialist Party, the Khmer Democratic Party of Cambodia and the People's Rally for Socialism of Democratic Congo on June 6 and 10 on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. The participants of the film shows watched Korean films including "The Great Leadership for Victoriously Building a Great Prosperous Powerful Nation."
    C.R. Aslam, president of the Pakistani party, said in the lecture that over the last more than four decades Kim Jong Il has developed the WPK into the party of President Kim Il Sung.
    Ouk Phurik, president of the Cambodian party, addressing a meeting highly praised Kim Jong Il as the great leader guiding the Korean people to victory and prosperity.
    Jean Baptiste Nkoy, general secretary of the people's rally of Democratic Congo, noted at the round-table talks what occupies a distinguished place among the exploits Kim Jong Il performed in the party construction is that he has developed the WPK into a party guided by the revolutionary idea of Kim Il Sung, the Juche idea.
    Meanwhile, personages of Uganda and South Africa expressed the firm conviction in their statements that the WPK and the Korean people led by Kim Jong Il would surely build a great prosperous powerful nation, holding high the banner of socialism.

Intensified Patriotic Movement Called for by AINDF

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front issued a statement on June 15 on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration, according to Internet site Kuguk Jonson. The publication of the June 15 joint declaration whose hardcore is the idea of "By our nation itself" is a brilliant fruition and a precious result of the steadfast faith, extraordinary wisdom and distinguished leadership ability with which leader Kim Jong Il has worked hard to carry out the last instructions of President Kim Il Sung for national reunification without fail and hand over a reunified country to posterity, the statement said, and went on:
    The publication of the joint declaration provided the Koreans with a banner common to the nation which they should always hold high to accomplish the cause of reunification, a landmark of reunification in the 21st century, and brought about a new turning phase in the movement for national reunification.
    The statement called upon the people from all walks of life to positively support and uphold the Songun politics, as it protects the June 15 joint declaration and guarantees its successful implementation, and conduct a dynamic patriotic movement for independent reunification, peace against war and great national unity under the uplifted banner of "By our nation itself".

Anti-U.S. Solidarity Rally Held in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The 81st anti-U.S. solidarity rally was reportedly held at Citizens Park of Seoul on June 13. Speakers said at the rally that today is the day when schoolgirls Sin Hyo Sun and Sim Mi Son were killed in cold blood by a U.S. armored car four years ago. Their grudge still remains unsettled, they noted.
    The U.S. forces keep imposing misfortune and sufferings upon the people as evidenced by environmental pollution and expansion of the U.S. military base, etc, they said, stressing that it is the way of wreaking the grudge of the slain schoolgirls to check the expansion of the U.S. military base in Phyongthaek.
    A resolution read out there said that the sycophantic submission of the "government" only convinces the people of the truth that struggle is the only way to survive. It stressed that people would resolutely fight against the authorities implementing the plan for the expansion of the U.S. military base in Phyongthaek.
    The rally heard a report from the group of visitors who returned home after staging demonstrations in the U.S. to check the conclusion of the south Korea-U.S. "Free Trade Agreement".

Institution of "Day Commemorating Publication of June 15 Joint Declaration" Called for in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The Democratic Workers' Party of south Korea reportedly made public a statement on June 13 in which it clarified its stand to make positive efforts to implement the June 15 joint declaration, which contains the valuable promise made by the nation, with a view to frustrating the moves of the conservatives to bring the inter-Korean ties back to those before the publication of the joint declaration. In the meantime, a lawmaker from the party, when interviewed by reporters in the building of the "National Assembly" on June 14, called for positively discussing the issue of instituting June 15 as a commemoration day, prompted by the commitment to implement the tasks in the present times, ie peace and reunification and the joint declaration.

Grand Festival for National Reunification Closes

    Kwangju, June 16 (KCNA Correspondent) -- A closing ceremony of the grand festival for national reunification marking the 6th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration, which was opened in Kwangju, south Korea, was held at the Yomju Gymnasium on June 16. Attending it were An Kyong Ho, co-chairman of the All-Korean Committee for Implementation of June 15 Joint Declaration and chairman of the north side's committee, Paek Rak Chong, co-chairman of the All-Korean Committee and chairman of the south side's committee, Kwak Tong Ui and Mun Tong Hwan who are co-chairmen of the overseas side's committee, Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland Kim Yong Dae and Minister of Unification Ri Jong Sok who are heading the delegations of the authorities of the north and the south, members of the delegations of the authorities and non-governmental delegations of the north and the south, members of the overseas side's delegation and personages concerned.
    Speeches were made at the closing ceremony.
    Jong Hyon Baek, co-delegate of the south side's committee, said that the reunification of the country is a process of pulling through difficulties together and carving out a future common to the nation. He called for redoubling the joint efforts to implement the June 15 joint declaration.
    Choe Chang Sik, member of the north side's committee, said that it is necessary to invariably consider "By our nation itself" as the idea common to the nation, firmly uphold it and subordinate everything to it no matter how the situation and circumstances may change.
    Kim Su Sik, vice-chairman of the overseas side's committee, noted that the era of independent reunification opened by the joint declaration has become an irresistible trend. The current grand festival for national reunification demonstrated to the world the will of the Korean nation for independent reunification, he added.
    In a closing address An Kyong Ho called upon all the people to cherish deep in mind the validity of the joint declaration and more dynamically struggle for independent reunification, peace against war and great national unity along the road indicated by the joint declaration.
    Prior to the closing ceremony, delegates of the north and the south and overseas sides held sports and amusement games after being divided into "Uri" team and "Hana" team.
    That day the participants in the festival visited historic sites in Mt. Yudal of Mokpho and enjoyed a performance given by artistes of the music group for reunification of the north side.

Book "Indomitable Revolutionary Fighter Comrade Kim Chol Ju" Sees Light

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Book "Indomitable Revolutionary Fighter Comrade Kim Chol Ju" has been brought out by the Workers' Party of Korea Publishing House. It has six chapters, which deals in detail with the revolutionary life and exploits of Kim Chol Ju, an indomitable revolutionary fighter. He devoted his whole life to the sacred war for national liberation with revolutionary enthusiasm, fulfilling his heavy responsibilities as chief for information of the Saenal Children's Union, secretary of the young communist league in Xiaoshahegou and chief for operation inside the anti-Japanese unit in Antu after embarking upon the road of revolutionary struggle in his teens.
    Kim Chol Ju died a heroic death in a fierce battle with the enemy near Chechangzi on June 14, Juche 24 (1935), the book says, adding that short as his life was, it was a noble life characterized by ardent love for the country and the people, intense loyalty to the revolutionary cause, the indomitable will to annihilate the enemy and revolutionary optimism.

All Koreans Called upon to Remain True to Idea of "By Our Nation Itself"

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The idea of "By our nation itself" has served as a driving force that encouraged the Koreans in the north and south and overseas to vigorously advance along the road of independent reunification and a banner for the patriotic movement for independent reunification, peace against war and great national unity. Rodong Sinmun Saturday says this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    The three point patriotic movement is a sacred one which embodies the idea of "By our nation itself".
    It is the idea of national independence which calls for valuing national dignity and sovereignty as one's life and soul and embodying it, the idea of defending peace as it underscores the need to remove the dark clouds of war from the sky above the Korean Peninsula and protect the national security and peace of the peninsula and the idea of great national unity as it calls for paving the way for reunification and prosperity by the concerted efforts of the nation. This reflects the unquenchable desire and hope of the Koreans who have lived in one territory as a homogenous nation for five thousand years.
    Reflected in the idea are the transparent idea of national self-determination which calls for achieving national reunification by the concerted efforts of the Koreans, masters of peace on the Korean Peninsula, and a noble patriotic will to clear the country of the dark clouds of war and defend the national security in firm unity of the Koreans and hand over a peaceful country to posterity.
    This idea also represents the desire and will of all the Koreans to achieve national reunification and prosperity by uniting themselves as one irrespective of differing idea, social system, political view and religious faith.
    It serves as a landmark of eternal victory for the Korean nation in their struggle to translate their cherished desire for national reunification into reality, the article concludes.

Samsu Power Station Projects Completed

    Samsu, June 16 (KCNA) -- Overall projects such as construction of dam, inlet channel, emergency flood control channel and tunnel and assembling of generators were successfully completed at the Samsu Power Station in Ryanggang Province of Korea as of June 15. Ground for them was broken on May 7, Juche 93 (2004) under the Workers' Party of Korea's grand nature-remaking plan. Members of the June 18 construction shock brigade in charge of the projects displayed the do-or-die spirit and mass heroism despite biting cold in the northern area and wrought a miracle of completing the large-scale dam project in a little more than two years, which others said would take ten years.
    Upon hearing the report that the projects were completed ahead of time, leader Kim Jong Il expressed great satisfaction.
    The completion of the overall construction projects is a striking manifestation of the WPK's wise guidance and the validity and vitality of its grand nature-remaking policy to spruce up the vast area of Mt. Paektu associated with the glorious history of the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and the immortal revolutionary exploits of the three generals of Mt. Paektu, as a holy land of Juche revolution and a paradise of socialism.
    The completion of the projects will greatly contribute to electrifying the area of Mt. Paektu, developing the national economy and improving the people's living standard. The shock brigade members are now hastening preparations for a trial operation of the power station.

Activities against Desertification in Full Swing in DPRK

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is pushing ahead in full earnest with activities to implement the UN Convention to Combat Prevention of Desertification. The DPRK approved the convention in Juche 92 (2003) and started activities as its a member nation from April 2004.
    The government held a national workshop for implementing the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and working out a draft framework of a national action program last year as the first step to carry into practice the national duty according to the convention.
    After the national workshop, data of each sector has been compiled, the draft framework amended and supplemented and several consultative meetings were held to analyze and bring together the actual utility of land, reason of land degeneration and difficulties in the country. On the basis of this, the national action program and national report were drawn out in May 2006.
    Many contents of the action program for preventing land degeneration and realizing sustainable land management have already been reflected in government policies and are under implementation.
    The government of the DPRK has raised the issue to turn the whole country into forests and gardens through intensified afforestation and water conservancy, launching a campaign to mobilize all efforts in land management in spring and autumn.
    As a result, more than 130,000 hectares of forests are created and over 900 kilometer-long rivers and streams improved every year. Standardized fields, gravity-fed waterways come into being in the different parts of the country. And a foundation has been laid to produce more than a billion saplings a year.
    All the activities of the government shall be conducted for the purpose of duly meeting the demand of the socio-economic development by boosting the effectiveness of the sustainable land management and the use of natural resources in accordance with the concretized national action program.
    Meanwhile, a work is being promoted in earnest to set up such state coordination machinery as committee for promoting sustainable land management and advisory institution of scientists and technicians for land management.
    Various research institutes of the country are intensifying scientific research to prevent land degeneration this year.

Functions Held at DPRK Embassies in Beijing and Moscow

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- A photo exhibition and a film show were held at the DPRK embassy in Beijing on June 15 and a film show at its embassy in Moscow on June 13 to mark the 42nd anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. On display in the venue of the photo exhibition were photos showing Kim Jong Il inspecting units of the Korean People's Army, giving on-the-spot guidance to the work in various fields of the national economy and paying an unofficial visit to China.
    Present there on invitation were the assistant to the head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the deputy editor-in-chief of the Liberation Army Daily and other officials concerned.
    On hand were DPRK Ambassador to China Choe Jin Su and staff members of the embassy.
    After looking round photos on display, the participants appreciated Korean film "The Legend about the Loving Care Associated with His On-the-Spot Guidance".
    Present on invitation at the film show held in Russia were officials of the Moscow City Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and members of the party.
    On hand were DPRK Ambassador to Russia Pak Ui Chun and staff members of the embassy.
    The participants paid tribute to the full-length portrait of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il before looking round photos showing Kim Jong Il conducting energetic external activities.
    They watched Korean film "The 60th Anniversary of Korea's Liberation."

Greetings to Seychellois President

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Wednesday sent a message of greetings to Seychellois President James Alix Michel on the occasion of its national day. The message wished the Seychellois president and people greater success in their work for prosperity of the country, expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to develop in mutual interests.

Congratulations to British Queen

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Saturday sent a congratulatory message to Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The message wished the Queen good health and happiness, extending warm congratulations to her on her birthday, the official national day.

Greetings to Hungarian PM and FM

    Pyongyang, June 17 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a congratulatory message to Gyurcsany Ferenc upon his reappointment as prime minister of Hungary. Expressing the belief that the cooperative relations between Korea and Hungary would continue to develop in mutual interests in the future, too, the message wished the prime minister new success in his work for prosperity of the country and well-being of the people.
    Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a similar massage to Goncz Kinga upon her appointment as foreign minister of Hungary.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il inspecciona la Unidad no. 657 del EPC

    Pyongyang, 17 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.657 del Ejercito Popular de Corea. 　Al recorrer la sala de presentacion del historial, el Comandante Supremo dijo que la unidad, crecida en un invencible destacamento de combate bajo la sabia direccion del Presidente Kim Il Sung demostro el heroico espiritu del EPC en la defensa de la patria y la construccion socialista y elogio altamente las brillantes proezas de la unidad.
    　Al hacer conocimiento del estado de la labor politica para los militares, se mostro muy satisfecho de que la unidad realiza con profundidad la educacion revolucionaria y clasista a traves de varios materiales de instruccion, particularmente, establece un ambiente de lectura para formar a los militares como combatientes revolucionarios con la indoblegable conviccion y voluntad.
    　El Comandante Supremo senalo que a resultas de la labor vigorosa para establecer el ambiente de estudio y de lectura, en todo el ejercito se opero un nuevo cambio en la educacion sobre los militares y subrayo la necesidad de editar y suministrar mas a los militares las memorias del Presidente, las "Reminiscencias de los guerrilleros antijaponeses", las novelas revolucionarias y otros libros.
    　Acto seguido, recorrio las instalaciones de intendencia.
    　Se mostro satisfecho de que los oficiales y soldados de la unidad, al fortalecer el ejercicio militar y politico y materializar cabalmente el metodo de administracion de la unidad al estilo de guerrilla antijaponesa, han convertido la unidad en un contingente dotado de aspecto de un ejercito regular y listo a pelear uno contra cien enemigos y valoro altamente sus logros.
    　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.

Comandancia aerea del EPC advierte reiteradas provocaciones de yanquis

    Pyongyang, 17 de junio (ATCC) -- La Comandancia de las Fuerzas Aereas del Ejercito Popular de Corea publico el dia 16 la siguiente informacion en relacion con los sucesivos actos de provocacion militar de los belicistas yanquis: El dia 16, los belicistas yanquis volvieron a cometer un acto de provocacion militar de infiltrar un avion de reconocimiento estrategico en el espacio aereo sobre la zona maritima economica de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.
    A eso de las 8 de ese dia, el "RC-135" hizo intrusion ilegal en el espacio aereo sobre la zona maritima de la RPDC al este de Chongjin, Hwadae y Riwon y perpetro durante varias horas actos de espionaje sobre los objetos estrategicos de nuestra parte, recibiendo combustible en el aire.
    Debido a las sucesivas intrusiones y actos de espionaje de los aviones de reconocimiento estrategico de las tropas agresoras norteamericanas se crea el peligro del choque militar en el espacio aereo sobre dicha zona.
    Las fuerzas aereas del EPC vuelven a advertir que si a pesar de nuestras reiteradas advertencias tales aviones yanquis siguen cometiendo semejantes actos, no podran evitar el destino de la mariposa nocturna que se mete al fuego y que la entera responsabilidad de ello recaera sobre los belicistas norteamericanos.

Tres movimientos patrioticos

    Pyongyang, 17 de junio (ATCC) -- El ideal de "entre nosotros, los connacionales" sirve de fuerza motriz en la lucha de los coreanos del Norte, el Sur y en ultramar por la reunificacion independiente y de bandera de los tres movimientos patrioticos por la reunificacion independiente, por la paz contra la guerra y por la gran unidad nacional. Senala asi el rotativo Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual publicado en su edicion del dia 17 y continua:
    Los tres movimientos patrioticos son para materializar el ideal de "entre nosotros, los connacionales".
    Este es el ideal de independencia nacional, de defensa de la paz y de la gran unidad nacional. Este ideal refleja la fervorosa aspiracion de la nacion coreana homogenea de 5 milenios.
    Este ideal refleja la idea de la firme autodeterminacion nacional para lograr por cuenta propia la reunificacion de la patria y el noble espiritu patriotico de eliminar el nubarron de la guerra, que se cierne sobre la tierra patria, y defender la seguridad nacional con las fuerzas propias de la nacion y de legar a las posteridades la patria pacifica.
    Ademas, refleja la aspiracion y voluntad de los integrantes de la nacion de unirse por encima de las diferencias de ideologias, regimenes, criterios politicos y creencias para lograr la reunificacion y la prosperidad del pais.
    Asi, el ideal de "entre nosotros, los connacionales" sirve de una bandera de la victoria eterna en la lucha del pueblo coreano por la reintegracion nacional.

Terminada construccion de objetos generales de planta electrica Samsu

    Samsu, 16 de junio (ATCC) -- Culmino exitosamente el dia 15 la construccion de los objetos generales de la Planta Hidroelectrica de Samsu de gran envergadura en la provincia de Ryanggang, entre otros, la presa, el ensamblaje de los equipos generadores, el boquete recolector de agua, el canal de desague de emergencia y el tunel que venia realizandose desde el 7 de mayo del 93 (2004) de la Era Juche segun el proposito de geotransformacion del Partido del Trabajo de Corea. 　Los miembros de brigada de construccion "18 de Junio", dando pruebas del espiritu de la ejecucion incondicional y el heroismo masivo pese al frio mordiente de la zona septentrional, crearon un milagro de terminar dentro de 2 anos y pico la magna obra de presa que necesitaba originalmente 10 anos.
    　El Dirigente Kim Jong Il se mostro muy satisfecho de que los miembros de la brigada terminaron con anticipacion la construccion de los objetos de la planta.
    　La culminacion de los objetos generales de la planta es una fehaciente manifestacion de la sabia direccion, la justedad y gran vitalidad de la orientacion de geotransformacion de nuestro partido para acondicionar como un sagrado lugar de la revolucion jucheana, una region ideal del socialismo la zona del Paektu en que estan sintetizadas la gloriosa historia de lucha revolucionaria antijaponesa y las inmortales hazanas revolucionarias de los 3 generales del monte Paektu (Presidente Kim Il Sung, Dirigente Kim Jong Il y Kim Jong Suk).
    　La culminacion de dicha obra contribuira grandemente a la realizacion de electrificacion en la zona del monte Paektu, al desarrollo de la economia del pais y el mejoramiento de la vida del pueblo.
    　Los miembros de brigada de construccion "18 de Junio" promueven los preparativos para asegurar con exito el arranque de pruebas de la planta.