National Meeting Held to Mark Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's Assumption of Supreme Commandership of KPA
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A national meeting was held at the April 25 House of Culture Saturday to mark the 15th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army.
Present there were senior party, army and state officials, chairpersons of the friendly parties and others.
KPA Vice-Marshal Kim Yong Chun, member of the DPRK National Defence Commission and chief of the KPA General Staff, made a report.
Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the revolutionary armed forces 15 years ago marked a great auspicious event of the nation as it provided a sure guarantee for carving out the destiny of our party, the homeland and the people and an epoch-making event that opened a bright prospect of winning sure victory in the Korean revolution and the building of revolutionary armed forces despite grim tempest of history, he noted, and continued:
Since he began his Songun revolutionary leadership early in the 1960s Kim Jong Il has wisely led the cause of army building, having a firm grip on the WPK's idea of attaching importance to the army and the military affairs, thus bringing about a historic turn in building Juche-oriented revolutionary armed forces.
With deep insight into the new situation the Korean revolution faced at home and abroad due to the imperialist reactionary forces' frantic anti-socialist offensive, he established the Songun politics as a major socialist political mode in all fields and successfully solved the issue of forming a main force of the revolution on the principle of placing the army ahead of the working class as required by the era and the developing revolution, thereby putting the Songun revolutionary cause of Juche on a new higher stage.
Under the situation where the U.S. imperialists have become ever more undisguised in their threat of a preemptive nuclear attack and sanctions and pressure, the army and people of the DPRK have made utmost efforts to bolster the national defence capacity to defend the sovereignty and the right to existence of the country and the nation and thanks to this persevering struggle the DPRK succeeded in developing nukes and emerged a full-fledged nuclear weapons state after going through the most just and fair processes.
Its successful nuclear test was a historic event that strikingly demonstrated the strong power and creative potential of Juche Korea advancing under the great banner of Songun. It was a shining fruition of the unshakable faith and will of the army and people of the DPRK to unfailingly achieve the ideal of independence and prosperity without allowing their national dignity and destiny to be infringed upon by any other country in the world plagued with tragic events due to the prevalence of the law of jungle.
Referring to the tasks facing the army and people, the reporter underscored the need to defend Kim Jong Il politico-ideologically and at the cost of their lives in any adversity, thoroughly establish the trait of attaching importance to the army in the whole society and continue channeling primary efforts into developing the national defence industry, the material foundation of the military capacity.
He called for exerting increased state efforts for the socialist economic construction to revitalize national economy and improve the standard of the people's living.
Reiterating that it is the sacred duty the Korean people assumed before the times and history to end the tragic national division and reunify the country, the reporter continued:
The situation on the Korean Peninsula still remains unpredictable due to the U.S. unchanged hostile policy toward the DPRK.
The U.S. has blocked the implementation of the September 19 joint statement and put the six-party talks to a deadlock for more than a year by applying unreasonable sanctions against the DPRK. At the resumed talks it persistently schemed to force the DPRK to disarm itself unilaterally while categorically rejecting the prompt lift of the sanctions and insisting that the DPRK abandon its nuclear program first
The U.S. and its followers including Japan have persistently kicked up anti-DPRK "human rights" racket and tightened sanctions against it in a reckless bid to impair the dignity and prestige of the DPRK and strangle it economically.
The DPRK is closely watching with a high degree of vigilance the U.S. busy employing all sorts of tricks to wrest unilateral concession and disarmament from the DPRK, using carrot and stick and escalating sanctions under the signboard of "dialogue."
Sanctions and pressure will never work on the DPRK. If the hostile forces continue escalating sanctions and pressure against the DPRK, it will resolutely react to them with stronger countermeasures.
The revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK want peace but they are not afraid of war. They will never allow anyone to infringe upon the sovereignty and dignity of their country even a bit.
Homage to Kim Jong Suk Paid
Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Wreaths were laid before the bust of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong on Sunday on the occasion of her 89th birth anniversary.
Seen before the bust was a wreath from General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Present at the wreath-laying event were senior party, army and state officials, chairpersons of the friendly parties, members of the Cabinet, officials of party, armed forces and power organs, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions and servicepersons, working people from all social standings and school youth and children in Pyongyang.
Amid the playing of the wreath-laying music, wreaths were laid before the bust in the name of the WPK Central Committee, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the DPRK Cabinet.
Also placed were wreaths in the name of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions, KPA units and educational, health and press organs, the organizations of the Korean Children's Union, and party and power bodies, factories and farms in the city and bouquets.
Written on the ribbons of those wreaths were letters "The revolutionary exploits of anti-Japanese war hero Comrade Kim Jong Suk are immortal!"
Meanwhile, floral baskets were placed before the statues of Kim Jong Suk in Kim Jong Suk County and Hoeryong City and at Kim Jong Suk Naval Academy and Kim Jong Suk General Military Academy that day.
DPRK to Closely Watch U.S. Attitude
Beijing, December 22 (KCNA Correspondent) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea will closely watch the U.S. future attitude, declared Kim Kye Gwan, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs who headed the DPRK delegation to the six-party talks, when interviewed by mediapersons in Beijing on Friday.
He said:
We clarified our will to realize denuclearization at the talks and participated in them despite sanctions. We, therefore, urged the U.S. to lift sanctions against the DPRK, to begin with, and start the discussion on the issue of denuclearization. The U.S., however, demanded a stop to our nuclear activities and verification of them without taking any action for lifting the sanctions.
We decisively opposed this and told the U.S. side to further study our proposal.
Meanwhile, the chairman's statement was adopted at the six-party talks.
DPRK Delegation Back Home
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The DPRK delegation headed by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Kye Gwan returned home on Saturday after participating in the six-party talks.
It was greeted at the airport by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il and officials concerned, Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Xiaoming and Russian Charge d'Affaires here Alexander Matsegora.
DPRK's Important Days Marked in Different Countries
Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held in Moscow on Dec. 20 under the sponsorship of the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK to mark the 15th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of office as supreme commander of the Korean People's Army and the 89th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk.
Speakers at the meeting said that the Korean people have rosy future as they are led by Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il.
The whole life of Kim Jong Suk was a noble life devoted to the country, the people and the revolutionary comrades, they said, adding that her august name will be enshrined in the mind of the progressive humankind forever.
Seminars, meetings, film shows and book, photo and handicraft exhibitions were held between Dec. 12 and 16 by the Centre for the Study of the Juche Idea of Mongolian Chinggis Khan College and in Bern and Sofia.
On display at the venues were famous works of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, photos showing their immortal exploits and books, photos and handiworks introducing the achievements made by the Korean people in building socialism.
Korean films including "The Rivers and Mountains of the Country Being Face-lifted under the Leadership of the Great General," "The Fatherly Leader among Anti-Japanese Revolutionary Fighters" and "The Great Leader Steering the Building of a Great Prosperous Powerful Nation to Victory" were shown at film shows.
Congratulatory messages to Kim Jong Il were adopted at meetings in Russia and Switzerland.
Art Performance Given by KPA Song and Dance Ensemble
Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- A music and dance performance "Glory to the General" was given by the Korean People's Army Song and Dance Ensemble at the April 25 House of Culture on Dec. 23 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of the KPA supreme commandership.
It was appreciated by senior party, army and state officials, chairpersons of the friendly parties, Cabinet members, officials of party, armed forces and power organs, social organizations, ministries and national institutions and servicepersons and others.
The performance, which began with mixed chorus "Glory to the General," truthfully represented the high honor and pride of the Korean nation in having Kim Jong Il at the top post of the revolutionary armed forces and the revolutionary zeal and militant spirit of the Korean army and people.
Its numbers included piano duet and mixed chorus "Song Devoted to Comrade Kim Jong Il," male vocal solo "The Leader Visits Military Post," female folk duet "We Sing of Our Country Holding Leader in High Esteem" and dance "A Recruit Arrives."
The performers highly lauded the undying feats of Kim Jong Il who opened the bright vista of building a great prosperous powerful nation with his original Songun policy while commanding the revolutionary armed forces.
The performance ended with mixed chorus "Let's Support Our Supreme Commander with Arms." It was acclaimed by the audience for its high ideological and artistic value.
Servicepersons' Evening Gala Held
Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- An evening gala of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces took place at Jonsung Plaza on Dec. 23 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army.
Seen on the platform there were Vice Marshal of the KPA Jo Myong Rok, director of the KPA General Political Department, Vice Marshal of the KPA Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces, and leading officials of the ministry.
Amid the playing of "Song of General Kim Jong Il" the participants in the gala unrolled a wave of dances with deep reverence of the army and people for Kim Jong Il.
Servicepersons delightfully danced to the tune of "Soldiers Present Glory," "Our General Is Best," "Let's Sing of Our Pride in Being under the Guidance of the General" and other songs, with their high honor and pride of being blessed with illustrious leaders and generals generation after generation.
The evening gala went on with songs "Twelve Months for Songun Victory," "Military Service in Company Is Delightful," "Let's Keep Pace to the Tune of Army Song" and "Arirang for Prosperity," which vividly represent the great pride of soldiers being under the command of Kim Jong Il and optimism of the Songun victors demonstrating their high mettle.
Merrily dancing to the tune of songs "Thunder on Jong Il Peak," "General on a Galloping White Horse," "All Servicepersons and People Will Become Human Bullets and Bombs," "We Will Defend the Headquarters of Revolution with Our Lives" and other songs, all the participants renewed their firm determination to reliably guarantee the cause of the Worker's Party of Korea with arms under the guidance of Kim Jong Il.
Papers Observe Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's Assumption of KPA Supreme Commandership
Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Today marks the 15th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of office as supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.
Newspapers here today dedicate editorials to the anniversary stressing that his assumption was a historic event which brought about an epochal turn in strengthening the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK and achieving prosperity of socialist Korea.
15 years when Kim Jong Il led the Korean revolution and the socialist cause after assuming the important office as KPA supreme commander is the sacred annals that recorded immortal traces in the history of the country and the nation, Rodong Sinmun says, and goes on:
He secured powerful military deterrent after putting the military affairs above other state affairs and thus raised the dignity and position of the country and the nation to the highest level. This is the especially noteworthy exploit in the history of the Songun revolution.
The country liberated by President Kim Il Sung with arms is now shining as a socialist power under the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il.
Kim Jong Il has placed the single-minded unity of our revolutionary ranks with the KPA as its core and mainstay on a higher stage. This is the great exploit as it brought rosy future for victory of the socialist cause. The single-minded unity now serves as an emblem of Songun Korea and the source of all victories of Korean-style socialism.
He encouraged the army and people to usher in a new era of building a great prosperous powerful nation, a new history of great changes. This exploit will remain forever in the history of the nation.
At the dawn of a great prosperous powerful nation the Korean army and people are faced with heavy yet honorable tasks to open up a new heyday of national prosperity under the great banner of Songun.
All the servicepersons and people should dynamically advance along the road of Songun revolution, bearing deep in mind high national pride and honor of being led by Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il.
They should trust in and follow only Kim Jong Il in any adversity with rock-firm faith that he represents their destiny and future and their country.
They should consistently glorify the proud history and tradition of the Songun revolution in which they have devotedly defended the respected supreme commander, acting as fortress and shield.
It is important to thoroughly apply the Songun politics and the line of Songun revolution of the Workers' Party of Korea and further increase the country's self-defensive military capability.
All of them should be ardent adherents to the Songun idea and resolute defender and implementer of the idea and push forward all the work including the building of the party, state and armed forces through the political mode of Songun.
They should display ardent patriotic enthusiasm so as to make a new leap in building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation of Juche.
Minju Joson stresses that the victory of the Songun revolution is in store as long as Kim Jong Il, illustrious commander of Mt. Paektu, stands in the van of the Korean revolutionary armed forces and the army and people are closely united around him as one in mind.
Kim Jong Il Lauded
Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- The vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front (AINDF) issued a statement on Dec. 23 on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army and the 89th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk, according to the Internet site Kuguk Jonson.
He said that the history and tradition of the revolutionary cause of Juche President Kim Il Sung started and led to victory with arms are creditably being carried forward and a sure guarantee for its accomplishment was provided with Kim Jong Il standing at the head of the revolutionary armed forces.
He went on:
The spirit of national reconciliation, unity and reunification is prevalent and the anti-American struggle is growing stronger in this land as the days go by. The credit for this goes to the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il who provided the historic June 15 joint declaration with the matchless Songun policy and the national reunification line and policies based on this to open the epoch-making phase of national reunification.
The self-defensive war deterrent of the north, a product of Songun, is very instrumental in helping the Korean people attain a decisive victory in the stand-off with the U.S. and achieve peace and reunification of Korea. It is the greatest pride and privilege for all the Koreans to have Kim Jong Il as supreme commander of the KPA, who ushered in the era of the most brilliant victory and glory in the five thousand-year history of the nation by pursuing the great Songun policy.
The vanguard fighters of the AINDF and the patriotic people from all walks of life will more positively support and defend the Songun policy of Kim Jong Il, following Kim Jong Suk who set the noble example of loyalty to the President in life and struggle, and remain true to the leadership of Kim Jong Il for the national reunification in one mind and purpose.
Stop to Anti-DPRK Campaign and Political Suppression of Koreans in Japan Called for
Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- The Central Headquarters of the New Socialist Party of Japan and the Japan-Korea Society for Scientific and Educational Interchange made public a joint statement entitled "The Japanese government, police and public security authorities should halt anti-DPRK campaign and political suppression of Koreans in Japan" on Dec. 5.
The anti-DPRK campaign of political force and media of Japan and their suppression of Koreans in Japan are getting all the more pronounced, the statement said, stressing these are destroying the idea of peace, democracy and human rights in Japan and violating the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration.
We demand the government stop all sorts of national discrimination, suppression and sanctions and fully guarantee the efforts for Japan-DPRK relations and all national rights, it stated.
Important Day of DPRK Celebrated in Different Countries
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Round-table talks, film shows and photo exhibitions took place in the Czech Republic, Russia, India and Indonesia between Dec. 14 and 18 to mark the 15th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army.
Displayed in the venues of the functions were photos showing the immortal feats performed by President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, the might of the heroic KPA and the achievements made by the Korean people in building socialism.
The participants of the film shows watched "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Provides On-site Guidance to Different Sectors", "The Korean People's Army, Steel-like Ranks" and other Korean films.
The first secretary of the Czechoslovak Communist Party in a round-table talk noted that the heroic struggle of the Korean people reliably defending socialism from the moves of the U.S., styling itself the "only superpower" in the world has given encouragement to the world progressive people desirous of socialism.
The general manager of the Interoptsik Company of Russia said after watching the Korean film that all the miraculous events taking place in the DPRK are unthinkable without the leadership of Kim Jong Il.
The director of the Indian Institute for the Foreign Policy said at the end of the film show that the reality of the DPRK proves that even a small country can work miracles of history if it has the leader with rare wisdom, distinguished leadership ability and matchless courage and pluck.
Japanese Militarists' Criminal Acts under Fire
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The reactionaries of the land of Japs have frantically incited militarism in the Japanese society since they set it as their general goal for this year to completely scrap the "pacifist constitution" and adopt instead a new war constitution and revise the "Law on Self-Defence Forces (SDF)" in a bid to secure a legal mechanism for realizing their wild ambition for overseas aggression.
Rodong Sinmun Saturday says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
The political development in Japan this year goes to prove that the desperate moves of the Japanese militarist forces to realize their ambition for overseas expansion at any cost have assumed more dangerous nature.
The militarist propaganda offensive has become evermore pronounced in the Japanese society this year.
The Japanese reactionaries more frequently visited the "Yasukuni Shrine" defying strong rebuff and criticism at home and abroad. Lurking behind this was a sinister intention to implant in the minds of the Japanese, school youth and children, in particular, pride of the Japanese imperialists' history of aggression, the spirit of exacting revenge for their defeat and the wild ambition to realize their domination over Asia which they failed to do so in the past and thus lay an ideological and moral foundation for attaining their militarist goal.
This year the Japanese reactionaries have busied themselves with the moves to create legal conditions for successful advance of the SDF overseas and its overseas military operations and increase its combat capability, while steadily tightening the military nexus between Japan and the U.S.
What merits a more serious attention is that they have boosted their collusion and tie-up with the U.S. imperialists in the moves to establish the missile defence system (MD).
The above-said moves this year are characterized by the fact that they have shifted to buckling down to establishing in real earnest the Japan-U.S. joint missile defence system with Japan as a base from escalating their nexus with the U.S. in the field of missile defence, avoiding the attention of the international community under the signboard of "joint research."
The moves of the Japanese reactionaries to establish the MD presuppose a preemptive missile attack on other countries.
This year they have relaxed the "three principles of arms export" and bolstered the SDF in an effort to increase its capability for overseas military operations.
Their attempt to soften the "three principles of arms export" was prompted by their wicked intention to get rid of one more brake on their moves to turn Japan into a military power and realize the nuclear weaponization.
They have also worked hard to boost the SDF's capability for preemptive attack this year.
The director general of the Defense Agency and other high-ranking military and political officials of Japan did not bother to bluster that Japan should be capable of mounting preemptive attacks on other countries.
Recently the Japanese Diet finally adopted the law on upgrading the Defense Agency to the ministry. This is a very dangerous legal action.
What is noteworthy in the militarist moves of the Japanese reactionaries this year is that they have stepped up the moves to cook up a war constitution to replace the "pacifist constitution" which has existed for decades in Japan in name only.
The Japanese reactionaries singled out the DPRK as the primary target of their overseas aggression. Accordingly, they have become evermore frantic in their moves to stage a comeback to Korea this year.
First of all, they have made desperate efforts to impair the international prestige of the dignified DPRK. The ultra-right conservative forces of the land of Japs have made much fuss, publishing and distributing even pamphlets on the "abduction issue."
The Japanese authorities have conducted such disgusting diplomacy as inviting panjandrums of other countries to their country to join in their anti-DPRK campaign.
The Japanese reactionaries have been hell bent on the "sanctions" against the DPRK and the moves for "preemptive attack" on it this year.
Toeing its American master's policy, the Japanese government decided to apply "financial sanctions" against the DPRK.
Japan's sanctions against the DPRK have reached an extreme phase as evidenced by total embargo on its ships including Mangyongbong-92.
The reactionaries of the island country have justified their moves to convert it into a military power and the moves for reinvasion with a hue and cry over the "threat" from the DPRK.
The criminal nature and gravity of Japan's hostile policy toward the DPRK have found a striking manifestation in its brutal suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), a legitimate organization of overseas citizens of the DPRK.
The whole land of Japan has been swept by a whirlwind of unprecedented crackdown upon Chongryon and Koreans.
As seen above, the Japanese reactionaries' moves for militarization and overseas aggression assumed more grave and dangerous nature this year than any other years.
Functions Held by Youth and Students and Women
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held by youth and students at the Central Youth Hall on Dec. 22 in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army.
The reporter and speakers at the meeting noted that illustrious commander of Mt. Paektu Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the KPA meant great fortune for the servicepersons and young and other people of the DPRK as they are blessed with the general and full of pride and dignity of living in Kim Il Sung's Korea, adding that this marked a great historic event of epochal significance in developing the Korean revolution and accomplishing the Juche-oriented cause of army building.
They referred to the fact that Kim Jong Il put forward the youth as a detached force and a reserve combat unit of the supreme commander and led them with profound loving care to demonstrate the honor of being front rankers in the Songun revolution which perform heroic feats in defending the country and building a prosperous nation.
They called upon all the young people to prepare themselves as Kim Jong Il's Songun revolutionary comrades who share will and destiny with him any time and in any place and indomitable vanguard fighters devotedly defending the headquarters of the revolution, enshrining faith in certain victory that they are sure to emerge victorious if they are led by him.
Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the C.C., the WPK was present there.
That day a performance was given by an art squad of the C.C., the youth league and a performance "Our country is great as it is led by the illustrious Songun commander of Mt. Paektu" by members of the Korean Democratic Women's Union in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the KPA and the 89th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk.
New Documentary Film Screened
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Part 23 of documentary "Under the Guidance of the Great Brilliant Commander" was screened at the People's Palace of Culture Friday on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of office as supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.
The film was watched by senior party and state officials, Cabinet members, officials of working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions and working people in Pyongyang.
The film edits historic data showing that Kim Jong Il tirelessly provided energetic guidance to develop the People's Army into an army intensely loyal to the party and the leader and devoted to the country and the people.
It tells how wisely Kim Jong Il led the servicepersons to devotedly help people in terms of politico-ideology and manpower.
It deals with the struggle of servicepersons performing labor feats in key domains of the national economy. True to the high intention of the supreme commander, the servicepersons built power stations, factories and enterprises and other edifices of Songun era in different parts of the country and took the lead in aiding the agricultural front, key front of economic construction.
The film tells that as there is loving care shown by the great Songun brilliant commander there produced a number of moving stories that soldiers devote their own lives without hesitation to defend the lives and property of the people.
Reception Given to Mark Vietnam's Army Day
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Phan Trong Thai, Vietnamese ambassador to the DPRK, hosted a reception at his embassy here on Dec. 22 on the occasion of the army day of his country.
Present there on invitation were general officers, officers and officials concerned.
Embassy officials of Vietnam were present there.
Speeches were made there.
Sinpha Revolutionary Site Attracts Endless Stream of Visitors
Hyesan, December 22 (KCNA) -- An endless stream of servicepersons, people from all walks of life and school youth and children are visiting the Sinpha revolutionary site on the occasion of the 89th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk.
The number of visitors to the site reached more than 138,000 this year alone.
This is the historical place where Kim Jong Suk conducted revolutionary activities after being assigned an underground political work by President Kim Il Sung during the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle.
The visitors placed floral baskets, bouquets and flowers before her statue standing in the revolutionary site before paying tribute to her in humble reverence. They went round different places in the site.
Condolences to Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Friday sent a message of condolences to Berdimuhammedov, deputy prime minister and minister of Health of Turkmenistan, over the death of its President Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov from sudden illness.
Kim Yong Nam expressed deep regret and condolences to him and, through him, to the members of the bereaved family.
Kim Jong Suk's Efforts on Making Military Colors
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, with deep reverence, are looking back on the immortal feats performed by anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk in making the military colors on the occasion of her birth anniversary which falls on December 24.
On an autumn day in Juche 36 (1947), she attended the graduation ceremony of the Central Security Officers School and was very excited with boundless joy.
After coming back from the function, she sat at her desk and was engrossed in drawing something on a blank paper.
A few officials quietly entered the room, fearing lest they would interrupt her thinking. One of them asked her what she was drawing.
Looking in their faces, she said with bright smile that there would be a military parade with military colors in the van of units and so she was designing the military colors.
Several days later, she showed some designs of military colors to President Kim Il Sung and discussed them with him all the night.
After the designs were decided, she frequented the workshop making military colors and personally embroidered them with sincerity.
Then she earnestly told that the Korean army, in future, would become an army strongest in the world and demonstrate its invincible might forever to the world as the ever-victorious revolutionary armed forces.
Indeed, the Korean People’s Army is displaying its invincible might all over the world as she wished, frustrating all sorts of vicious provocations of the enemies.
Message of Condolences to Turkmen FM
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a message of condolences to his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov upon the death of President Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov from sudden illness.
Floral Basket to Kim Jong Il from Chinese Family
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a floral basket from the family of Zhang Weihua, an anti-Japanese revolutionary martyr, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of his assumption of office as supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.
Written on the ribbon of the floral basket were letters reading "Good health to the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il".
Wreath to Bust of Kim Jong Suk from Family of Anti-Japanese Revolutionary Fighter in China
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A wreath was sent to the bust of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong by the family of So Sun Ok, anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter in China, on the occasion of her 89th birth anniversary.
The wreath was placed before her bust Saturday by So Sun Ok's son Kim Jin Song, general manager of the Putong Zhiyuan Trading Co., Ltd, in Beijing of China.
Congratulations to Swiss President
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Friday sent a congratulatory message to Micheline Calmy−Rey upon his election as president of Switzerland.
Kim Yong Nam in the message expressed the conviction that the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Switzerland would continue to favorably develop in the interests of the two peoples in the future, too, and wished him success in his responsible work.
Suppression of Chongryon in Japan under Fire
Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The chairman of the Group for the Study of the Progressive Idea of the North Pretoria Branch of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union in a statement on Dec. 16 condemned the Japanese reactionaries for their unreasonable crackdown on the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon).
He stressed that Chongryon is a full-fledged overseas citizens organization of the DPRK which has the deserved rights to be protected by Japan's law and the international law.
The Japanese authorities' suppression aimed at schools and students under Chongryon is the most barbarous deed that can be justified and defended with nothing, the statement said. And it strongly urged the Japanese authorities to halt the crackdown upon Chongryon, the educational institutions and students in particular, at once and unconditionally compensate for it.
The statement called upon the UN and the world human rights bodies and media to pay due attention to the Japanese authorities' suppression of Chongryon and put such behavior on the top agenda of international conferences on human rights issues and take relevant legal action against it.
Kim Jong Il Inspects Command of KPA Unit 934
Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected the command of KPA Unit 934.
Kim Jong Il went round a room devoted to the history of the unit before dropping in at a military lecture room to acquaint himself with the performance of the unit's duty and training.
He set forth tasks to be undertaken to increase the combat capability of the unit, satisfied to learn that all the officers and men have performed their guard duties in a responsible manner with a high degree of vigilance in view of the U.S. imperialists' moves for aggression and grown to be a-match-for-a-hundred combatants.
After going round a servicepersons' hall, a library and other entertainment and educational facilities, he praised the unit for having conducted brisk revolutionary education and class education by use of diverse educational materials and trained its servicepersons into brave heroes of the new century through a high-pitched movement to learn from the noble revolutionary spirit of the heroic forerunners, in particular.
It is gratifying that the unit has established a revolutionary habit of reading books by building a good library and making an effective use of it, he said, underscoring the need for all the servicepersons to make it part of their daily routine and a habit to read books.
He acquainted himself with the management of the unit, looking round the compound of the barracks.
Seeing various species of trees servicepersons have planted in the compound of the barracks and the nearby mountains and tended them with good care, he highly appreciated noble patriotism displayed by the servicepersons of the unit always optimistic about the rosy future of the country.
The servicepersons of the KPA are the ardent patriots who regard even a single tree and blade of grass of the country as their life and soul and vanguard fighters who are taking the lead in the struggle to implement the line and policies of the Party, he said, adding that our socialism stands as an impregnable fortress as such ideologically strong army is defending the forefront of the country.
He took deep care of the living of the servicepersons, going round the supply service facilities of the unit.
He highly appreciated the assiduous way the officers and men of the unit have managed its economic life, expressing great satisfaction over the fact that they have provided excellent living conditions by their concerted efforts.
He posed for a photograph with the servicepersons of the unit.
For Spanish-speaking people
RPDC seguira de cerca la posicion de EE.UU., afirma Kim Kye Gwan
Beijing, 22 de diciembre (Corresponsal de ATCC) -- La Republica Popular Democratica de Corea seguira de cerca la posicion de Estados Unidos.
Afirmo asi el vicecanciller Kim Kye Gwan, quien preside la delegacion de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea a las conversaciones a 6 bandas, en una rueda de prensa concedida la vispera en Beijing y prosiguio:
En las recientes conversaciones a 6 bandas, la RPDC expuso su voluntad de desnuclearizacion y participo en esta cita siendo sancionada.
Por lo tanto, demando entrar en el debate sobre la desnuclearizacion despues de levantar la sancion de EE.UU.
Sin embargo, EE.UU. exigio el cese y la verificacion de las actividades nucleares de la RPDC sin plantear ninguna medida de accion para levantar la sancion.
Nuestra parte rechazo resueltamente la exigencia de EE.UU. y propuso a este estudiar mas nuestra propuesta.
Por otra parte, en las conversaciones a 6 partes se aprobo una declaracion presidencial.
Bandera del ejercito entrana esfuerzos de Kim Jong Suk
Pyongyang, 23 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Con motivo del natalicio (24 de diciembre) de la heroina de lucha antijaponesa Kim Jong Suk, el pueblo coreano recuerda de sus imborrables proezas registradas en el nacimiento de la bandera del ejercito.
Un dia de otono del 36 (1947) de la Era Juche, la heroina estuvo muy alegre y conmocionada por la ceremonia de graduacion de la Escuela Central de Cuadros de la Seguridad, en que habia participado.
Se sento frente a una mesa y comenzo a dibujar algo en un papel.
Uno de los funcionarios que entraron en silencio en el cuarto para no perturbarla, le pregunto que estaba dibujando.
Ella le respondio sonriente que estaba disenando los estandartes de las unidades que participarian en un inminente desfile militar.
Unos dias despues, ella velo una noche entera discutiendo con el Presidente Kim Il Sung los proyectos de la bandera ideados por si misma.
Cuando fueron determinados los modelos de los estandartes, visito con frecuencia el taller de confeccion donde se persono a bordarlos.
En aquel entonces, auguro que el Ejercito Popular de Corea se convertira en el mas poderoso del mundo y estremecera a todo el mundo con sus fuerzas armadas revolucionarias siempre invencibles.
Como deseaba ella, hoy dia, el EPC exalta al mundo su invencible poderio frustrando multiples desafios brutales de los enemigos.
Estrenada parte 23 del documental "Teniendo al gran General"
Pyongyang, 23 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Con motivo del XV aniversario del nombramiento del Dirigente Kim Jong Il como Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea, se estreno en el capitalino Palacio Cultural del Pueblo la parte 23 del documental "Teniendo al gran General".
La vieron los cuadros del partido y el Estado, los miembros del Consejo de Ministros, los funcionarios de las organizaciones de masas, ministerios y organos centrales y trabajadores capitalinos.
El film redacta los datos historicos de que el Dirigente, con su incansable y dinamica direccion, convirtio al Ejercito Popular en el del pueblo que queda infinitamente fiel al partido y el lider y sirve abnegadamente a la patria y el pueblo.
Se refiere a los hechos de que el Dirigente condujo sabiamente a los militares del EPC a ayudar en lo politico, ideologico y laboral al pueblo.
Tambien recopila los fidedignos aspectos de los militares quienes en pleno acato al gran proposito del Comandante Supremo construyeron las centrales hidroelectricas, fabricas, empresas y otras creaciones monumentales de la epoca del Songun (priorizacion militar), se ponen en la delantera en la ayuda al principal frente agricola en la construccion economica y realizan proezas laborales en las ramas importantes de la economia nacional.
Ademas, compila los relatos emocionantes como los hechos de que los militares del EPC, que gozan de infinito amor del gran General del Songun, dedican sin vacilacion su vida a defender la vida y bienes del pueblo.
Rodong Sinmun revela experimentos delictivos de los militaristas
Pyongyang, 23 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Los reaccionarios japoneses insuflaron el furioso viento del militarismo a la sociedad japonesa al fijar como meta general de este ano preparar palanca legitima para realizar su ambicion de agresion a ultramar mediante la fabricacion de la nueva constitucion belica tras abolir la "Constitucion de la Paz" enmendando la "ley de las Fuerzas de Autodefensa".
La tendencia de la situacion politica del pais isleno es la evidente prueba de que se agranda cada dia mas la peligrosidad de las perversas maniobras de las fuerzas militaristas japonesas para realizar a toda costa la ambicion de expansion a ultramar.
Asi senala el periodico Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual del dia 23 y continua:
Este ano, en la sociedad japonesa se intensifica mas que nunca la ofensiva de propaganda militarista.
A pesar de la creciente demanda y repudio del interior y exterior los reaccionarios japoneses continuan la adoracion al "santuario Yasukuni" partiendo de la maligna intencion de echar el terreno ideo-espiritual para realizar su finalidad militarista al inculcarles a los habitantes, en particular a los jovenes y ninos, el orgullo de la historia de agresion de su pais, el sentimiento de venganza y la codicia de realizar el dominio a Asia no alcanzado en el pasado.
En estrecha colaboracion militar con EE.UU. ellos se afanaron para preparar las condiciones legitimas que permiten efectuar satisfactoriamente la salida a ultramar de las "fuerzas de autodefensa" y la operacion militar ultramarina de estas y para elevar su capacidad combativa.
Lo que resulta mas grave es que los reaccionarios del archipielago fortalecieron su confabulacion con EE.UU. en el establecimiento del sistema antimisiles.
Anteriormente, bajo el rotulo del "estudio conjunto" Japon ha venido ampliando poco a poco sus relaciones de confabulacion con EE.UU. en el dominio de defensa antimisil al evitar la vista lince de la sociedad internacional. Pero, ahora se entrega por entero a establecer realmente el sistema antimisiles junto con EE.UU. tomando su territorio por punto de apoyo.
Estas maniobras tienen como premisa el ataque preventivo de misiles contra otros paises.
Este ano, los reaccionarios japoneses relajan los "tres principios de exportacion de armas" y fortalecer las "Fuerzas de Autodefensa" para elevar la capacidad militar de estas en ultramar.
Tratan de relajar esos "tres principios" para eliminar otro freno a la conversion de su pais en potencia militar y el armamento nuclear.
Este ano, ellos se entregaron con rabia a las maquinaciones para elevar la capacidad de ataque preventivo de las "fuerzas de autodefensa".
El director general de la Agencia de Defensa de Japon y otras personalidades del circulo militar y politico hablaron abiertamente de que su pais debe poseer la capacidad de asestar el ataque preventivo a otros paises.
En los ultimos dias, la dieta de Japon dio beneplacito final a la ley de ascender la Agencia de Defensa al rango "ministerio", esto deviene una medida peligrosisima.
Lo que llama atencion particular en las maquinaciones militaristas de los reaccionarios japoneses de este ano es que estos dieron acicate a la fabricacion de la constitucion belica. Ahora, la "Constitucion de Paz" que existia nominalmente en decenios llego a la etapa de extinguirse.
Los reaccionarios japoneses definieron como primer blanco de la agresion a ultramar a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea. De acuerdo con ello, este ano desarrollaron mas perversamente las maniobras de nueva agresion a Corea.
Ante todo, actuaron rabiosamente para desacreditar la autoridad internacional de la RPDC. Las fuerzas conservadoras ultraderechistas de Japon armaron bulla al editar y divulgar hasta el folleto sobre el "problema del secuestro".
Las autoridades japonesas invitaron a las altas personalidades de otros paises a Japon para procurar apoyo de estas a su intriga anti-RPDC.
Aplicaron "sancion" a la RPDC y pusieron a flote su intencion de "ataque preventivo" contra esta.
Como lo hizo su amo estadounidense, el gobierno japones puso en accion su medida de "sancion financiera" y prohibio la entrada del "Mangyongbong-92" y otros barcos coreanos en sus puertos, llegando asi al tope tal alboroto de sancion a la RPDC.
Los reaccionarios japoneses justificaron sus maniobras de potencia militar y nueva agresion a la RPDC bajo el pretexto de la "amenaza" de la RPDC.
La criminalidad y la gravedad de la politica hostil de Japon a la RPDC se evidenciaron a traves de la cruenta represion contra la Chongryon (Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en Japon), organizacion legitima de los coreanos en ultramar de la RPDC.
En toda la extension del territorio japones se desata la frenetica campana de represion contra la Chongryon y los coreanos.
Como vemos las maniobras de los reaccionarios japoneses para la militarizacion y la agresion a ultramar llegan a la etapa de mayor gravedad y peligrosidad.