Preparatory Committee for Commemorating Day of Sun and February 16 Formed in Democratic Congo

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- The Preparatory Committee for Commemorating the Day of the Sun and February 16 of Democratic Congo was inaugurated with due ceremony in Kinshasa on Jan. 8. The inaugural ceremony elected Otete Gaston Mboyo, chairman of the National Committee of the Genuine Lumumbist Patriotic Party of Democratic Congo, chairman of the preparatory committee.
    The preparatory committee set the commemoration period from Jan. 9 to the end of April and decided to hold colorful functions for highly praising and widely introducing the exploits of the peerlessly great men during the period.

Joint New Year Editorial of DPRK Supported in Switzerland

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- The Swiss Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea made public a statement on Jan. 8 in support of the joint New Year editorial published in the DPRK. The statement said the great achievements made by the DPRK last year clearly proved the justice of the Songun politics of the DPRK.
    Noting that this year is a significant year which marks the 95th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung, the father of socialist Korea, the statement went on:
    The glorious history of the DPRK and the prosperity of Songun Korea are closely associated with the august name of the President.
    The 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army is an auspicious event demonstrating the invincibility of the Songun revolution and its rosy prospect.
    Referring in detail to the fact that the joint New Year editorial proposed tasks to be carried out by the army and people of the DPRK this year, the statement fully supported it.

Relentless Actions against Expansion of U.S. Military Base Vowed in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- The All-People Measure Committee for Checking the Expansion of the U.S. Military Base in Phyongthaek of south Korea reportedly called a press conference on Jan. 11 at which it declared its will to carry on the dynamic actions against the expansion of the U.S. military base. The moves for the expansion of the U.S. military base in Phyongthaek seriously threaten the peace on the Korean Peninsula as it is aimed at backing the realization of the "strategic flexibility" of the U.S. forces in south Korea, the organization said, and went on:
    The government should apologize to the people for the unilateral and violent moves for the expansion of the U.S. military base and guarantee the living conditions of the Phyongthaek population.
    Reiterating its will to intensify the struggle to check the expansion of the U.S. military base in Phyongthaek in the days ahead, the organization declared that it would stage diverse actions in demand of a total renegotiation of the plan for the expansion of the U.S. military base, in particular.
    It also pointed out that the organization would conduct sustained actions for exposing the aim sought by the U.S. through the expansion of the military base in Phyongthaek and the aggressive nature of the south Korea-U.S. "alliance."

U.S. Forces Commander's Outburst under Fire in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- The commander of the U.S. forces in south Korea reportedly remarked on Jan. 9 that should the agreement the U.S. signed with south Korea on the transfer of its military base to Phyongthaek by 2008 be not implemented due to political reasons or the financial problem, the former would stand up against it. The Youth and Students Solidarity of south Korea to Implement the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration in a statement on Jan. 11 said that his outcry reveals the malicious intention of the occupation force displeased with daily mounting anti-U.S. sentiment.
    The U.S. is getting evermore pronounced in its ambition to put the Korean Peninsula under its control, as evidenced by its mock air raid exercise targeted against the north and introduction of Stealth fighter-bombers into south Korea from the outset of the new year, the statement said. It strongly demanded the U.S. promptly stop interfering in the internal affairs and pull its forces out of south Korea.

U.S. and Japan Accused of Their Moves for New War

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- The U.S. and Japan began to examine the change of the CONPLAN-5055 worked out in 2002 into an "operational plan." Commenting on this, a Minju Joson analyst Tuesday describes this as a concrete practical stage into which they have entered after making the provocation of a new war on the Korean Peninsula a fait accompli.
    He goes on:
    The United States has never let a chance pass by without stating that it did not seek a military confrontation on the Korean Peninsula. But this was nothing but a beguiling ruse.
    What it really pursues is to consummate its capabilities of a preemptive attack on the DPRK and carry it into practice when necessary in a bid to implement its policy of aggression.
    In its drive to translate into practice its policy of stifling the DPRK by force of arms, the U.S. is now massively deploying aggressive armed forces in and around the Korean Peninsula while scheming to frantically stage war exercises under various names for boosting the capacity of operational command.
    In inveigling Japan into the establishment of a missile defense system, too, the U.S. seeks to intensify joint military actions against the DPRK.
    If Japan plunge itself into a joint military action with the U.S. forces, it will be an exercise of "the right to collective self-defense" and will go against the principle of "exclusive defense." Nevertheless, Japan is rolling up its sleeves in this as it judges that this is favorable for the realization of its reinvasion scheme against the DPRK and overseas expansion policy.
    The U.S. and Japan are desperately trying to provoke a new war on the Korean Peninsula at whatever cost as they see eye to eye with each other in their criminal aim and interests. This fans the hostile feelings of the army and people of the DPRK towards the U.S. and Japan.

Japan Urged to Redress Its Past Crimes

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Japan has sidestepped the issue of redressing its crime-woven past for more than 60 years since the defeat of the Japanese imperialists. There are not a few countries that committed war crimes in the world but it is only Japan that has played sleight of hand to hide those crimes and evade its responsibility for redressing them. Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed commentary carried with the approach of 62 years since their defeat. Recalling that Japan has insisted that the issue of Japan's redress of its past had already been settled, asserting that it was a "simple comparison" and "mistake" to compare Japan with Germany over the issue of settling past crimes, the commentary says:
    Japan has never shown its will to properly repent of, apologize and compensate for its crime-woven history, quite contrary to Germany.
    While Koizumi was in power, Japan made a desperate bid to hold a responsible post at the UN only to suffer disgrace. The international community curses the Japanese reactionaries as rascals unrepentant of their crime-woven history. Nevertheless, the Abe Cabinet is keen to create the impression that Japan's failure to win trust of the international community was attributable to "shortcomings in its political diplomacy," instead of finding its cause in the issue of redressing its past wrongs.
    Japan's foreign policy can be termed diplomacy aimed at winning popularity through dependence on the U.S. and bribing operations. It is the true nature of the island country to improve its image by offering money or goods to other countries while serving big countries. This nature remains even today.
    The crimes committed by Japan can never be forgotten no matter how much water may flow under the bridge.
    Japan's honest settlement of its past crimes would be a starting point in getting rid of its blemished conscience and getting confidence of the international community.

Dangerous Nature of Construction of Jeju Naval Base Disclosed

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- The warlike forces of the south Korean military recently decided to resume the construction of the Jeju naval base, which they suspended in face of the strong protest of the Jeju islanders, and announced that they would spend a huge amount of fund to complete the base covering 120,000 phyong (one phyong equals to six square feet) by 2014. The construction was started as part of the so-called "mid-term national defence program" in 1995. A spokesman for the Korean National Peace Committee in a statement on Tuesday dismissed the construction of the naval base as an extremely dangerous military move of the warlike forces of the south Korean military to convert the Jeju Island into an advance base for carrying out the U.S. new military strategy to invade the DPRK.
    Describing the construction of the Jeju naval base as a link in the chain of the moves for establishing the U.S. missile defence system covering Phyongthaek, Inchon, Kunsan, Kwangju and Jeju, the statement continues:
    The moves for the construction of the above-said naval base stepped up by the south Korean warhawks in real earnest while modifying and supplementing anti-north war scenarios in all aspects together with the U.S. clearly prove that their moves to invade the DPRK have entered a dangerous phase.
    The south Korean warhawks should immediately stop the construction of the Jeju naval base, clearly understanding that the arms buildup and saber rattling for aggression will only invite self-destruction.

Increase in Agricultural Production Called for

    Sariwon, January 15 (KCNA) -- A meeting of agricultural workers of the Migok Co-op Farm in Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province took place on the spot on Jan. 15 to challenge all organizations of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and other agricultural workers across the country to a socialist emulation for a significant increase in agricultural production this year. An appeal read out at the meeting said that the joint New Year editorial clarifies the tasks to be undertaken to make a signal advance in solving the food problem for the people by holding fast to the farming as the great foundation of the country in this significant year and ways to do so. It called on all the UAWK organizations and agricultural workers to turn out as one in the drive to implement the policy of the Workers' Party of Korea to carry out a revolution in farming.
    Then followed speeches.
    Kang Chang Uk, chairman of the Central Committee of the UAWK, was among those present there.

Students' Socio-political Activities in DPRK

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- University and college students have been carrying on brisk socio-political activities among working people of industrial establishments and co-op farms in different parts of the country to arouse them to the efforts for implementing the tasks put forth at the joint New Year editorial. Students of Kim Il Sung University, Kim Chol Ju University of Education and Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering active at the Pyongyang Thermal-power Complex are working together with workers and technicians there from the beginning of the year, helping them solve scientific and technical issues.
    A lot of students of universities in Pyongyang also take an active part in arranging well the Pothonggang Pleasure Ground for several days.
    Those of Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, Kim Chaek University of Technology and other universities produced and transported a large amount of manures to co-op farms in the suburbs of the city.
    Students of universities and colleges including Sariwon Kye Ung Sang University of Agriculture and Sariwon Teachers Training College in North Hwanghae Province sent hundreds of tons of compost to the Migok Co-op farm in Sariwon City. They are also conducting dynamic traveling art agitation activities at the construction site of the Ryesonggang Power Station and other major construction sites.
    University and college students in Ryanggang, South Phyongan, Kangwon and North Hamgyong Provinces are also heightening the surging enthusiasm of producer masses in rural areas and the power, coal-mining, metal industries and rail transport sectors, the pilots of the national economy.

Ten Best Players for 2006 Selected in DPRK

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- Ten best players for Juche 95(2006) were selected in the DPRK. The selected are as follows:
    1. Yun Kum Ju, female boxer of the April 25 Sports Group, who won the championship at the 57kg-category event at the 4th World Women's Boxing Championships.
    2. Ri Jong Hyang, female boxer of the April 25 Sports Group, who won the 48kg-category event at the same championships to become twice world championship holder.
    3. Jon Myong Hui, female footballer of the Rimyongsu Sports Group, who distinguished herself as goal-keeper at the 3rd FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championships and the 15th Asian Games.
    4. Ri Kum Suk, female footballer of the April 25 Sports Group, who made a great contribution to the victory of her team as its captain at the 15th Asian Games.
    5. Hong Su Jong, female gymnast of the Pyongyang City Sports Group, who placed first at the uneven bars event at the 15th Asian Games.
    6. Ri Se Gwang, male gymnast of the April 25 Sports Group, who snatched a gold medal in the men's vaulting horse event at the 15th Asian Games.
    7. Hong Un Jong, female gymnast of the Pyongyang City Sports Group, who came first in the women's vaulting horse event at the 3rd Asian Gymnastic Championships.
    8. Kim Jong Su, male shooter of the April 25 National Defence Sports Group, who came second in the men's 25-metre standard pistol event (adult) at the 49th World Shooting Championships.
    9. An Kum Ae, female judoist of the Moranbong Sports Group, who won the championship in 52kg-category event at the 15th Asian Games.
    10.Ri Yong Chol, male wrestler of the Jangsan Sports Group, who placed first in the 60kg-category free-style wrestling event at the 19th Asian Wrestling Championships.

Chinese Film Shown

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- A show of Chinese feature film "Warm Spring" presented to Kim Jong Il as a gift by the Shanxi Film Studio of China was held at the People's Palace of Culture Tuesday under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture and the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries. Watching the film were Kim Yong Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, Kim Ki Nam, Kim Yong Dae, Vice-Premier of the Cabinet Ro Tu Chol, leading officials of some ministries and national institutions, and city and district institutions in Pyongyang, officials in the fields of literature and arts and media and working people.
    Also among the audience were Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and embassy officials and Chinese guests staying in the DPRK.
    Speeches were made before the show.
    Minister of Culture Kan Nung Su said in his speech that the film show would mark an occasion for boosting cultural exchanges and cooperation between the DPRK and China and deepening the fraternity.
    Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming said that it is the steadfast policy of the Chinese party and government to steadily develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between China and the DPRK.
    Noting that the Sino-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations are growing in strength under the direct care of General Secretary Hu Jintao and General Secretary Kim Jong Il, he said that they would continue to strengthen cooperation in the field of culture between the two countries and thus steadily develop Sino-DPRK relations in the New Year.
    The film was favorably estimated at the 10th Pyongyang International Film Festival last year. The film truthfully represents an old man in a mountainous village of China who is so kind as to bring an orphaned girl to his home and bring her up with deep care as a real father would do.

Fascist Suppression of Progressives in S. Korea Lambasted

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- The south Korean security authorities recently detained and prosecuted Kang Sun Jong, vice-chairperson of the South Side Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification, on the charge of "espionage liable to punishment under the National Security Law (NSL)" and took such a fascist action as taking into custody two members of the Democratic Labor Party on the absurd charge that they posted articles praising the DPRK on the Internet. A spokesman for the National Reconciliation Council released a statement today in this regard.
    It said:
    Lurking behind these fascist actions is a sinister political aim of the Grand National Party and its followers in south Korea to throw a wet blanket on the south Koreans' ardent desire to achieve reunification through an alliance with the north and block the national reconciliation and unity and, furthermore, create the impression that security is endangered by those forces standing for progressive reforms with the "presidential elections" as a momentum.
    The above-said persons were reported to have praised their fellow countrymen and met compatriots and discussed with them the issue of national reunification in the historical era when Koreans are working hard to achieve independent reunification by their concerted efforts. It is an unjustifiable act against history and the nation to crack down upon them by charging them with espionage and acts of benefiting the enemy.
    With no desperate effort can the GNP and other pro-American conservatives stem the trend of the times when the Koreans are advancing to achieve independence and reunification under the banner of "By our nation itself".
    The history of the national division spanning more than 60 years goes to prove that the pro-American conservatives in south Korea are fated to face a stern judgement of the people for going against the desire of the nation and swimming against the trend of the times.
    The security authorities should immediately stop the suppression of the progressive forces and unconditionally abolish the NSL, the filth of history, facing up to the trend of the times.

Kim Jong Il Inspects Command of KPA Unit 398

    Pyongyang, January 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected the Command of KPA Unit 398. After going round the room devoted to the history of the unit, he dropped in at the military lecture room to learn about the unit's performance of duty and training.
    He set forth the tasks to be tackled by the unit to increase its combat capability, expressing satisfaction over the fact that the unit has trained all its commanding officers as fighters equipped with high combat capability and technique by intensifying the training.
    He underscored the need for the unit to organize intensive combat and political training and put all forms of trainings on a scientific basis so that all its servicepersons may acquire a-match-for-a hundred combat capability.
    Looking round combat and technical equipment, he said the future of the cause of socialism and the Songun revolution depends on the arms, a precious legacy of the revolution which has been handed down through generations, as it is associated with the blood and soul of the anti-Japanese revolutionary forerunners. He urged all the servicepersons to prize the weapons like the apples of their eyes and handle them with good care.
    He made the rounds of the servicepersons' hall, library and other entertainment and educational facilities to acquaint himself with their cultural and emotional life.
    He praised the unit for having refurbished the servicepersons' hall well as a centre for entertainment and education and operated it on a regular basis, stressing the need to provide ample conditions for their cultural and emotional life.
    He was very pleased to learn about the excellent relations that exist between the servicepersons of the unit and the inhabitants of the area where it is stationed and emphasized the might of the rock-like unity between the army and people is a source of victory because no powerful weapon can ever match it.
    He had a photo session with the commanding officers of the unit.
    He was accompanied by KPA Generals Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong, KPA Col. General Choe Pu Il and Vice Department Directors of the WPK Central Committee Kang Tong Yun and Hwang Pyong So.

For Spanish-speaking people

Japon lleva 62 anos sin recompensar sus crimenes en II Guerra Mundial

    Pyongyang, 16 de enero (ATCC) -- En relacion con el 62o aniversario de la derrota de los imperialistas japoneses en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, el diario Rodong Sinmun publico este martes un comentario individual que senala en particular: Aunque en este mundo existen no pocos paises criminales de guerra, no hay ninguno como Japon que durante mas de 60 anos recurre a todas las artimanas para eludir su responsabilidad por la liquidacion del pasado criminal. Este pais japi pregona que ya fue resuelto ese problema alegando que compararlo con Alemania resulta un supuesto "cotejo simple" y un "error".
    Pero, a diferencia de Alemania, el pais isleno no muestra ningun gesto para reflexionar y disculparse por su historia criminal y recompensar sinceramente por el respecto.
    Cuando intentaba ocupar un puesto importante de la ONU durante el poder de Koizumi, Japon paso tremenda pena ante el fuerte repudio de la sociedad internacional a los reaccionarios islenos quienes no saben reflexionar de su historia criminal.
    Sin embargo, el nuevo gabinete de Abe habla como si la causa del fracaso residiera en los "defectos de la diplomacia politica".
    La politica exterior del pais japi esta fundamentada en hacerse importante con el servilismo a Estados Unidos y la seduccion con el dinero.
    Este vicio cronico no ha cambiado hasta hoy dia.
    Aunque transcurra mucho tiempo, no se borraran nunca los crimenes de Japon cometidos en el pasado.
    La sincera liquidacion significa para el archipielago el primer punto de partida para purificar su conciencia manchada y recabar la confianza de la sociedad internacional.

Minju Joson denuncia maniobras de nueva guerra de EE.UU. y Japon

    Pyongyang, 16 de enero (ATCC) -- El inicio del examen sobre la conversion del "plan conceptual-5055" elaborado en 2002 por Estados Unidos y Japon en el "operacional" insinua que ambos paises ya consideran como un hecho consumado la provocacion de una nueva guerra en la Peninsula Coreana y entraron en la etapa de su ejecucion. 　Asi revela el periodico Minju Joson en un comentario individual de este martes y prosigue:
    　Para enganar a la opinion publica, EE.UU. habla siempre que "no persigue una confrontacion militar en la Peninsula Coreana".
    　Pero, su verdadera intencion reside en completar la capacidad de ataque preventivo contra la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y pasar a la accion en un momento necesario.
    　Para llevar a cabo su politica de agresion y hostigamiento militar contra la RPDC, EE.UU. emplaza ahora de manera concentrada sus fuerzas agresoras en dicha peninsula y sus periferias mientras trata de desplegar freneticos ejercicios belicos de diversos tipos para la mejora de la capacidad de mando operacional.
    　Por otra parte, involucra a Japon en la implantacion del sistema antimisiles a fin de coordinar mas las acciones militares conjuntas contra la RPDC.
    　Por su parte, Japon participa activamente en estas maniobras a sabiendas de que esto deviene el ejercicio del "derecho a la autodefensa colectiva" y contraviene al principio de la "defensa exclusiva", calculando que le conviene para llevar a la realidad su ambicion de nueva agresion a la RPDC y su politica expansionista a ultramar.
    　Por la coincidencia en respectivos objetivos criminales e intereses, EE.UU. y Japon se esfuerzan desesperadamente por desencadenar a toda costa una nueva guerra en la Peninsula Coreana.
    　Este hecho multiplica el odio del ejercito y el pueblo de Corea a esos dos paises.

Comite preparatorio del Congo Democratico para efemerides coreanas

    Pyongyang, 16 de enero (ATCC) -- Quedo constituido el dia 8 en Kinshasa el Comite Preparatorio del Congo Democratico para el Dia del Sol (15 de abril, cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung) y el 16 de Febrero (cumpleanos del Dirigente Kim Jong Il). Como presidente de esta entidad fue electo el titular del Comite Nacional del Partido Patriotico Lumumbista Autentico del Congo Democratico, Otete Gaston Mboyo.
    El comite naciente fijo como periodo de celebracion desde el 9 de enero hasta finales de abril y decidio organizar varias actividades destinadas a elogiar y propagar ampliamente las hazanas de los Grandes Hombres sin par.

Seleccionados 10 mejores jugadores de la Republica de 2006

    Pyongyang, 16 de enero (ATCC) -- Recientemente, fueron seleccionados los 10 mejores jugadores de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea para el 95 (2006) de la Era Juche. 　Los jugadores seleccionados son los siguientes:
    1. Yun Kum Ju, boxeadora del Equipo Deportivo 25 de Abril, quien se hizo campeona en la categoria de 57 kilos del IV Campeonato Mundial de Boxeo Femenino.
    2. Ri Jong Hyang, boxeadora del mismo equipo quien se hizo bicampeona al ocupar primer lugar en la categoria de 48 kilos de dicho campeonato.
    3. Jon Myong Hui, futbolista del Equipo Deportivo Rimyongsu quien dio pruebas de la tecnica excepcional como portera en el III Campeonato Juvenil Mundial de Futbol Femenino y los XV Juegos Asiaticos.
    4. Ri Kum Suk, futbolista del Equipo Deportivo 25 de Abril quien contribuyo grandemente a la victoria de su seccion con su rol eficiente de capitan de esta en los XV Juegos Asiaticos.
    5. Hong Su Jong, gimnasta femenina del Equipo Deportivo de la Ciudad Pyongyang quien ocupo el primer lugar en el ejercicio de paralelas asimetricas de los XV Juegos Asiaticos.
    6. Ri Se Gwang, gimnasta del Equipo Deportivo 25 de Abril quien ocupo el primer puesto en el potro de los XV Juegos Asiaticos.
    7. Hong Un Jong, gimnasta femenina del Equipo Deportivo de la Ciudad Pyongyang quien obtuvo el primer lugar en el potro del III Campeonato Asiatico de Gimnasia.
    8. Kim Jong Su, tirador del Equipo de Deportes Militares 25 de Abril quien ocupo el segundo lugar en la pistola Standard de 25m de grado adolescente del 49o Campeonato Mundial de Tiro.
    9. An Kum Ae, judoka del Equipo Deportivo Morambong quien ocupo el primer lugar en la categoria de 52 kilos (f) de los XV Juegos Asiaticos.
    10. Ri Yong Chol, luchador del Equipo Deportivo Jangsan quien gano el primer lugar en la lucha libre de la division de 60 kilos (m) de los XIX Campeonato Asiatico de Lucha.