KAPPC on Its Stand on Tour of Kaesong

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee (KAPPC) gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA Wednesday as regards south Korean media's misinformation about the issue of tour of Kaesong: South Korean media released misinformation that the KAPPC withdrew its policy of dealing with Lotte tourist business over the issue of tour of Kaesong and took the stand of dealing with Hyundai Asan over the tour of Kaesong.
    In an effort to make this sound plausible the media reported that the KAPPC informed the former minister of Unification on a visit to the Kaesong Industrial Zone on December 8 last year of this and gave Hyundai Asan "a positive message over the issue of tour of Kaesong" at a meeting with it at Mt. Kumgang Resort.
    This is a false report that does not deserve even a passing note. But the KAPPC is compelled to clarify its stand as they are engrossed in the smear campaign against the north.
    The above-said misinformation released by south Korean media all at once cannot be interpreted otherwise than a mean diatribe made by the authorities in collusion with high fliers and tricksters of Hyundai Asan who stoop to any infamy to meet their business interests.
    The KAPPC has remained true to the bilateral good faith, invariably considering national reconciliation and unity as the basic purpose of inter-Korean economic cooperation undertakings including the dealing with Hyundai Asan.
    The upper crust of Hyundai, however, forgot the privileges and benefits granted to it by the KAPPC, playing into the hands of those high fliers and tricksters, and behaved quite contrary to the ties of trust and friendship maintained by its predecessor with KAPPC for years. This compelled the KAPPC to totally reexamine the business with Hyundai and decide to stop dealing with it over the tour of Kaesong which was high on the agenda.
    The Hyundai side deeply repented and apologized to the KAPPC side for its wrong doings several times and assured the latter of taking measures against the recurrence of similar things. The KAPPC treated the Hyundai side with magnanimity and favor, considering that it made a shift in its stand and attitude.
    The reality, however, proves that the Hyundai side's words of apology and repentance were no more than hypocrisy and that the high fliers and tricksters inside Hyundai are still keen to lead the cooperation with the KAPPC in a wrong direction.
    The KAPPC has no formal agreement with the Hyundai side over the issue of tour of Kaesong and, moreover, there was no agreement with the latter in this regard in recent days. The KAPPC's stand is consistent and it feels no need to examine or consider any change.
    The Hyundai side and the south Korean authorities should tell the whole story of the recent case, make honest apology and assure the KAPPC of taking measures against the recurrence of a similar case, bearing deep in mind that any plot hatched contrary to the main objective and purport of the north-south cooperation undertakings would only make it impossible for any cooperation undertaking with the KAPPC to make smooth progress.
    The KAPPC, at the same time, cannot but take issue with the groundless smear campaign launched by south Korean media and the biased stand of the conservative media including the Dong-A Ilbo.
    They should not swim against the trend of the times if they are not in a position to lead the trend of the times as required by the original mission of media at a time when the desire for national reconciliation and unity is growing stronger.
    The anti-reunification conservative media keen on inciting mistrust and confrontation among the fellow countrymen only cannot meet the need of the June 15 era of reunification and, accordingly, will not be able to escape ruin, censured by the nation and history.
    The KAPPC will closely watch the future attitude of the Hyundai Asan and the south Korean authorities.

DPRK Delegation Back Home

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the DPRK headed by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Kye Gwan returned home Wednesday after participating in the DPRK-U.S. talks in Berlin from Jan. 16 to 18. It was greeted at the airport by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hyong Jun, officials concerned, Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Xiaoming and Russian Charge d' Affaires AI here Alexander Matsegora.

Kim Jong Il's Exploits Hailed in Democratic Congo

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- Otete Gaston Mboyo, chairman of the National Committee of the Genuine Lumumbist Patriotic Party Democratic Congo, issued a statement on Jan. 16 hailing the exploits performed by Kim Jong Il on the occasion of his birthday. Kim Jong Il is a great statesman, hero of the Korean nation and leader of the world socialism, as he has frustrated the moves of enemies with the Songun politics and defended socialism, the statement noted, and continued:
    The admirable successes achieved by the army and people of the DPRK in the battle to defend the country and the building of a great prosperous powerful nation are a great fruition of his matchless grit and pluck and outstanding leadership art.
    He expressed his firm belief that army and people of the DPRK all out in the general march for national prosperity would always emerge victorious in the confrontation with the U.S. and the battle to defend socialism.

Korean People's Greatest Holidays to Be Commemorated in America

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- The American Preparatory Committee for Commemorating the Day of the Sun and February 16 was jointly formed with due ceremony on Jan. 16 by the U.S. Group for the Study of Songun Politics and the U.S. Solidarity Committee for Supporting the Struggle of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front of South Korea and the South Korean People. John Paul Cupp, chairman of the group, was elected chairman of the preparatory committee at the ceremony.
    The preparatory committee decided to intensify the activities to introduce immortal exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and conduct a movement to express solidarity with the cause of the Korean people among various progressive organizations and prominent figures in the U.S. on the above-said occasions.

Preparatory Committee for Celebrating Feb. 16 Formed in Kyrgyzstan

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- The Preparatory Committee of the United Confederation of Koreans in Kyrgyzstan for Celebrating February 16, the birthday of Kim Jong Il, was formed in Bishkek on Jan. 18. Pak Kyong Ho, chairman of the confederation, was elected chairman of the preparatory committee.
    The committee decided to host multifarious events including a meeting, a stage performance, a film show and a photo exhibition on the occasion.

U.S. Moves for Modernization of Nukes under Fire

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- The U.S. moves for the modernization of nuclear weapons are aimed not at safely storing nuclear warheads as claimed by the Bush forces but updating them as required by their nuclear war strategy in the new century. Rodong Sinmun Wednesday observes this in a signed commentary.
    The U.S. modernization of the nuclear weapons is basically aimed to increase the explosive and destructive power of nuclear warheads, the commentary notes, and goes on: Its objective is to win blitzkrieg with less force and combat equipment.
    The U.S. loudmouthed "safety" of nuclear warheads means, in essence, safety in using them. It is not aimed to guarantee security through the elimination of nuclear weapons.
    The nuclear weapons should be reduced not through the modernization of nuclear warheads but through a phased and comprehensive cutback. The U.S. modernization of nuclear weapons would only increase the danger of a nuclear war and put world peace at greater peril.
    The U.S. much publicized "nuclear non-proliferation" is nothing but hypocrisy. Humankind is exposed to a serious danger of nuclear war due to the reckless moves for a nuclear war of the U.S. imperialists.
    As a result the Korean Peninsula is fraught with the world's biggest danger of a nuclear war. The U.S. imperialists are keen to provoke a nuclear war in Korea. In order to cope with such situation the Korean people have boosted the self-reliant defence capability in every way under the banner of Songun.
    The bellicose Bush forces' reckless moves for the modernization of nuclear weapons are as foolish an act as disturbing their own security. The U.S. imperialists would be well advised to get rid of their nuclear hysteria, urges the commentary.

Rodong Sinmun on Revolutionary Principle

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Wednesday states that the revolutionary principle is tantamount to life and soul for the independent people. This is because the principle is a crucial matter concerning the destiny of socialism which provides the popular masses with an independent and creative life, notes the author of the article, and goes on:
    The circumstances and conditions of the building of socialism may constantly change, but the revolutionary principle should never change in any case. If one backs down in the revolutionary principle when building socialism, one cannot build it successfully to suit the fundamental interests of the people and, worse still, the existence of socialism itself is endangered.
    The revolutionary principle is the life and soul of the independent people because it is the basic guarantee for defending the sovereignty of the country and the nation, smashing the strong-arm and arbitrary practices of the imperialists.
    The imperialists are getting more virulent in their strong-arm and arbitrary practices and infringement upon others' sovereignty. Consequently, the sovereignty of many countries is gravely sapped and violated and peace is harassed and wrecked. The U.S. imperialists, in particular, resort to state terrorism, undisguised aggression and war, nuclear threat and strong-arm actions against sovereign states and interference in their domestic affairs, taking no account of the United Nations and international law.
    One should maintain the revolutionary principle in the standoff with imperialism, if he wants to defend the sovereignty of the country and the nation, smashing the imperialists' strong-arm and arbitrary practices.
    The destiny of the country and the nation can be safeguarded only when the ideological and cultural infiltration of the imperialists is opposed with the revolutionary ideological offensive and strength with strength.
    The people of the DPRK have firmly defended Korean-style socialism in the standoff with the U.S. imperialists, invariably adhering to the revolutionary principle in the building of socialism. This struggle teaches the truth that the revolutionary principle is the life and soul of the independent people.
    The important lesson drawn by the DPRK people in the showdown with the U.S. is that they can defend socialism and display the dignity of the country and the nation only when they put up an unflinching fight with a super-tough stance, never yielding nor stepping back with regard to the revolutionary principle in the standoff with the enemies.
    One comes off the victor when he maintains the revolutionary principle and the loser when he discards it.

Every Effort for Building Economic Power Called for

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- It is an urgent requirement for building a great prosperous powerful socialist country at present to vigorously accelerate the building of an economic power. Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a by-lined article. It goes on:
    Building an economic power is an important work to augment the national power in every way, above all, and thus turn the country into an invincible power.
    Economy serves as a material basis of political independence and the political independence of the country would be unthinkable without its powerful economic potential. Only when a party and a state building socialism depend on powerful economic potential of the state, can they shape a line and policies according to their own viewpoint and belief and dynamically push ahead with socialist construction in the interests of their revolution and people.
    Only when a country augments its economic potential and demonstrates the advantages of socialism in the development of economy while giving priority to the ideological work is it possible to better prepare its people as one strong in idea, possessed of high national self-esteem and firm faith in socialism, and consolidate the ideological position of a rich and powerful country like an invulnerable fortress.
    The state's powerful economic potential provides a basis of the defense industry. It can manufacture modern weapons and combat and technical equipment necessary for a modern war only when it develops its defence industry on the basis of the solid economic foundation. The whole army has been modernized and all the people have been placed under arms in the DPRK. This reality is a striking demonstration of the might of the nation's economic foundation.
    Building an economic power is also important for significantly improving the standard of the people's living to enable them to live in happiness with nothing to desire more in the world.
    Success in building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation in all aspects by improving the standard of the people's living depends on how to build an economic power. It is impossible to materialize an ambitious plan and project for the improvement of the standard of the people's living unless material conditions for doing so are provided. It is an important guarantee for enabling the people to enjoy an affluent and highly civilized material and cultural life to build an economic power based on its solid economic foundation.

S. Korean Security Authorities' Action to Stamp Out Jongyojo under Fire

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- The south Korean security authorities' arrest of members of the south Korean Teachers Union (Jongyojo), who conducted reunification-oriented education, praising the Songun policy, comes under fire by a signed commentary of Minju Joson Wednesday. It terms this action an entirely unreasonable one and a despicable fascist action intended to stem the trend of the times towards national reconciliation and unity and reunification, It was a righteous act conducive to national reconciliation and unity and reunification for the members of Jongyojo to have posted articles praising the Songun policy of the DPRK on Internet sites, the commentary notes, and goes on:
    To incriminate those who praised the Songun policy which serves as a treasured sword for protecting the nation and realizing the desire for reunification and patriotism aimed at defending the security of the nation, exalting its dignity and paving a wide avenue for independent reunification, is, to all intents and purposes, a traitorous act of quelling the desire of the Koreans to protect the dignity and interests of the nation.
    The whirlwind of the arrest of the above-said members is nothing but a link in the chain of the actions taken by the security authorities to stamp out Jongyojo, regarding the reunification-oriented education conducted by it as a thorn in their flesh.
    The commentary warns the south Korean security authorities to halt their silly and reckless actions to stem the trend of the times towards national reconciliation and unity and reunification.

Seven Storied Pagoda of Hongbok Temple

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- The Seven-storied Pagoda of Hongbok Temple is one of the historic relics showing high standard of architecture and artistic talent of the Korean people. The pagoda, made of exquisitely trimmed granite stones, was built in the period of Koryo (918-1392). It has been preserved as it was.
    It was built in front of Hongbok Temple in Phyongchon-Dong, Phyongchon District of Pyongyang. The pagoda, which had been transplanted several times, now stands in the yard of the Ryonghwa Temple in Kaeson-Dong, Moranbong District of Pyongyang.
    The ground, foundation and body stones are six-angled.
    The tower is 5.35 meters high and a side of its ground stone is 1.29 meters long.
    Each storey has body and eave stones.
    Put on the top of the pagoda depicting a lotus flower is a lotus flower bud.
    The multi-angled and multi-storeyed pagoda with a body decorated in bold relief represents the pagoda architecture in the Koryo period.

University of Science, 40 Years Old

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- University of Science of the DPRK established in January Juche 56 (1967) has made great successes in training reserve scientists and scientific research. In the last several years teachers and researchers at the university have succeeded in the research into lowering the flame center of a large-sized powdered coal boiler and developing and applying quick starting technique of steam turbine and portable internal combustion engine diagnosis system.
    They have also proved successful in developing such accurate measuring apparatuses as remote control crane scale and accurate current meter and programs for the observation of hydrotechnical constructions by computer, net-meeting system, translation of English into Korean and speech recognition.
    The university, founded with a small number of teachers and scores of students, has turned into a powerful scientific education center with faculties, departments, doctoral institute, research institutes and laboratories and with a large number of teaching stuff with academic degrees and titles.
    It has produced hundreds of doctors and bachelors in their twenties and thirties.
    It was awarded "Kim Il Sung Order", the highest order of the DPRK, in Juche 76 (1987) for its great contribution made to the training of scientists and scientific research.

Appeal to All Koreans Issued in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front issued an appeal to all Koreans on Jan. 21, according to the Internet site Kuguk Jonson. The joint New Year editorial ardently calling for adding brilliance to the June 15 era of reunification by attaching importance to the nation, maintaining peace and achieving unity and the joint statement of the political parties, government and organizations in the DPRK are providing strategy to win victory after victory to our people advancing towards the dawn of the reunification and instilling redoubled courage into them, the appeal said, and continued:
    Let us fully display the spirit of attaching importance to the nation to put an end to the U.S. colonial domination and subjugation, regain the usurped national sovereignty and boost the inter-Korean relations and intensify the movement for reunification in the idea of "By our nation itself."
    All Koreans should turn out as one in the struggle to decisively terminate the U.S. domination and interference and foil its reckless moves to start a nuclear war against the north, a threat to the nation, at any cost by demonstrating the dignity and spirit of being a nuclear weapons nation.
    All the organizations for the reunification movement should strengthen the solidarity and alliance with the All Korean Committee for Implementation of June 15 Joint Declaration as an umbrella body and strikingly demonstrate the majestic appearance of the nation in the era of independent reunification.
    The appeal called on all the people to come out in the struggle against conservative forces in order to frustrate the attempt of the Grand National Party of south Korea, the worst sycophantic and treacherous party, to return to power.
    It urged all the people to wage a relentless struggle for implementing the June 15 joint declaration despite whatever difficulties and trials in order to glorify the June 15 era of reunification and put the movement for supporting and upholding the Songun politics on a popular and organized basis.

Japanese Authorities' Suppression of Chongryon Protested in Peru

    Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- The Revolutionary Socialist Party of Peru and the Peruvian Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea issued a joint statement on Jan. 17 in protest against the Japanese authorities' suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon). Accusing the Japanese government of making every possible effort to do harm to Chongryon these days, the statement demanded the Japanese reactionaries immediately stop the anti-Chongryon inhumane campaign aimed at attaining their political aims.
    It urged them to sincerely apologize and fully compensate for the crimes committed by Japan against the Korean people in the past, respect the rights of the Koreans in Japan and adequately pay damages to them.
    The statement voiced firm solidarity with the staff of Chongryon in their struggle and ardently called upon the world progressives to undertake dynamic actions in defence of the legitimate rights of the Koreans in Japan and condemn the Japanese reactionaries' human rights abuses and hostile policy towards the DPRK.

For Spanish-speaking people

Rodong Sinmun condena a EE.UU. por modernizar las armas nucleares

    Pyongyang, 24 de enero (ATCC) -- La modernizacion de las armas nucleares de Estados Unidos no es para propiciar la "seguridad" en la conservacion de las ojivas nucleares como habla el equipo de Bush sino para modernizarlas mas conforme a la demanda estrategica de la guerra nuclear en el nuevo siglo. Asi senala el periodico Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual del dia 24 y continua:
    Lo principal de esta modernizacion es elevar el poder explosivo y la efectividad mortifera de las ojivas nucleares para concluir pronto la guerra con menos personal y armamentos.
    La "seguridad" en la conservacion de las ojivas nucleares de que habla EE.UU. no significa la eliminacion de las armas nucleares sino el uso seguro de estos artefactos de genocidio masivo.
    El desarme nuclear debe ser realizado no por la modernizacion de las ojivas sino por la reduccion escalonada y total de esos artefactos. Cuanto mas EE.UU. modernice las armas nucleares, tanto mas se agrandara el peligro de la guerra nuclear y se vera mas perturbada la paz del mundo.
    La trompeta norteamericana de "la no proliferacion nuclear" no pasa de ser una farsa. Debido a sus insensatas maniobras de provocacion de guerra nuclear la humanidad se enfrenta con el grave peligro de la guerra atomica.
    La Peninsula Coreana es la region en que se cierne mas densamente en el mundo el peligro de la guerra nuclear. Los imperialistas norteamericanos maniobran freneticamente para provocar la guerra nuclear en Corea.
    Bajo esta situacion el pueblo coreano fortalece por todos los medios la capacidad autodefensiva bajo la bandera del Songun (priorizacion militar).
    Las insensatas maniobras de los belicistas de Bush para modernizar las armas nucleares resultan absurdidades que destruyen la seguridad de si mismos. EE.UU. debe liberarse del fanatismo nuclear.

Minju Joson denuncia actos represivos a simpatizantes del Songun

    Pyongyang, 24 de enero (ATCC) -- El rotativo Minju Joson publico este miercoles un comentario individual denunciando a las autoridades surcoreanas de seguridad publica que arrestaron a los miembros del "Sindicato Nacional de Ensenantes" (SNE) por haber inculcado en sus alumnos el espiritu de reunificacion elogiando la politica de Songun (priorizacion militar). 　Este virulento acto fascista se encamina a frenar la corriente de la epoca actual hacia la reconciliacion y unidad de la nacion y la reunificacion del pais, senala el comentarista y prosigue:
    　Esos gremiales publicaron en sitio web unos articulos sobre la politica de Songun de la RPDC, lo cual es un noble gesto de contribuir a la reconciliacion, la unidad y la reunificacion de la nacion.
    La penalizacion de esa modalidad politica, que resulta el remedio omnipotente capaz de salvaguardar la seguridad de la nacion, glorificar su dignidad y explorar mas posibilidades de la reunificacion independiente del pais, significa una traicion a todos los coreanos que quieren defender la dignidad y los intereses nacionales.
    De otra parte, el brusco apresamiento de los educadores referidos forma parte de las maniobras de las autoridades de seguridad publica destinadas a eliminar esa organizacion sindical.
    Ellas deben abstenerse de su necio intento de revertir la corriente hacia la reconciliacion y unidad de la nacion y la reunificacion de la patria.

Principio revolucionario representa la vida para pueblos independientes

    Pyongyang, 24 de enero (ATCC) -- El diario Rodong Sinmun inserto en su edicion de este miercoles un articulo individual que va como sigue: 　Los principios revolucionarios representan la vida para los pueblos independientes porque de ellos depende la existencia del socialismo que garantiza a las masas populares una vida independiente y creadora.
    　Se cambian constantemente las circunstancias y condiciones en la construccion del socialismo, pero nunca puede haber cambio en los principios revolucionarios. La concesion de estos imposibilita construir el socialismo de manera exitosa y conforme a los intereses fundamentales de las masas populares, al contrario pondra en peligro el destino del mismo socialismo.
    　Por otra parte, ellos constituyen la garantia principal para defender la soberania del pais y la nacion frente al despotismo y arbitrariedad de los imperialistas, que se tornaron mas cruentos en el nuevo siglo. Por consiguiente, se viola gravemente la soberania de varios paises y se perturba la paz.
    　En particular, los imperialistas norteamericanos recurren a todas las formas despoticas como el terrorismo de Estado, agresion, guerra, amenaza nuclear y la intervencion en los asuntos internos de otros paises soberanos despreciando la ONU y derechos internacionales.
    　Es preciso enfrentarse a la penetracion ideo-cultural de los imperialistas con la ofensiva ideologica revolucionaria y a las fuerzas con las fuerzas, lo que es la via para defender el destino del pais y la nacion.
    　El pueblo coreano defendio con firmeza el socialismo coreano en la confrontacion con los yanquis manteniendo invariablemente los principios revolucionarios en la edificacion del socialismo.
    　Este hecho da razon al dicho de que ellos representan la vida para los pueblos independientes.
    　La leccion importantisima sacada por nuestro pueblo de la confrontacion con EE.UU. es que es posible defender el socialismo y exaltar la dignidad del pais y la nacion solo cuando se le enfrenta con sobredureza sin conceder ni en lo minimo los principios en cuestion.
    　Por lo tanto, defenderlos significa la victoria y cederlos trae el fracaso.

EE.UU: comite preparatorio para el Dia del Sol y el 16 de febrero

    Pyongyang, 24 de enero (ATCC) -- El Grupo de Estudio de la Politica de Songun (priorizacion militar) de Estados Unidos y el Comite Estadounidense de Solidaridad con el Frente Democratico Nacional Antiimperialista y la Lucha del Pueblo del Sur de Corea constituyeron el dia 16 en conjunto el comite preparatorio 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 la entidad naciente fue electo el titular del citado grupo John Paul Cupp.
    El comite decidio dar a conocer ampliamente las inmortales hazanas del Presidente Kim Il Sung y del Dirigente Kim Jong Il en ocasion de esas efemerides y librar el movimiento de solidaridad con la causa del pueblo coreano entre varias entidades progresistas y renombradas personalidades de EE.UU.