U.S. Smear Campaign against DPRK Blasted

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry on Thursday gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA as regards the recent smear campaign conducted by the U.S. against the DPRK over UN organizations' aid to it: The DPRK has maintained good relations of cooperation with different bodies of the United Nations for several decades. And aid projects of the above-said bodies, including the UNDP, in the country have been carried out strictly in conformity with the UN regulations and in a transparent way.
    Nevertheless, the United States is kicking up another anti-DPRK racket over not much aid funds of the UNDP from the outset of the year to meet its dirty political aims. It talks about "offer of illegal funds" and cries out for "investigating aid projects" and "shelving aid program", asserting for no reason that the DPRK might have used the aid funds for the development of nuclear weapons.
    The United States has made every possible effort to put serious sanctions and blockade against the DPRK. And it is now seeking to intensify pressure on the DPRK and tarnish its image externally by means of blocking the legal aid projects of UN organizations with unjust reasons.
    As the UNDP has denied, the U.S. assertions admit of no argument as they are a sheer fiction.
    News services of different countries have said that the U.S. hard-liners, who set in motion the unilateral financial sanctions on the DPRK as soon as the September 19 joint statement was published and drove the six-party talks to a deadlock, invented what it called "suspected diversion of illegal funds", timed to coincide with the DPRK-U.S. talks in Berlin. Such comment is by no means accidental.
    The DPRK will continue to develop the cooperative relations with the UNDP and other bodies of the UN. However, it will not allow any attempt to politicize the aid project nor accept conditional or unjust aid at all.
    The U.S. will be wholly accountable for all consequences to be entailed by its ongoing reckless campaign against the DPRK.

Japanese Reactionaries' Moves for Retrogressive Revision of Constitution under Fire

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- The Korean Jurists Committee Thursday made public a white paper stripping bare the reactionary and illegal nature of the moves of the reactionaries of the land of Japs to retrogressively revise the constitution in a bid to undisguisedly justify their policy to turn Japan into a military power and launch overseas aggression by throwing away the mask of "a pacifist state" which it has so far professed to be. The moves to rewrite the constitution stepped up by the island country under the pretext of "making a constitution suited to the 21st century" is not an issue confined to the internal affair of a country but a serious issue as it jeopardizes peace and security not only on the Korean Peninsula but the rest of Northeast Asia and the world and an unpardonable criminal act, the paper noted, and went on:
    The above-said moves of the land of Japs are a wanton violation of the obligation under international law.
    The paper cited the "Potsdam Declaration" and the UN Charter to prove in detail that such moves are criminal acts of openly challenging the international conventions which stipulate the position of Japan as a war criminal state and a defeated nation and acts diametrically running counter to the UN Charter.
    The reactionaries of the island country are foolish enough to assert that their moves to rewrite the constitution are reasonable in view of international law, insisting that the exercise of the "right to collective self-defense" stipulated in the UN Charter belongs to the legitimate right of each country.
    As a World War II criminal state this island country owes too much to the international community under international law as it has to fulfil more commitments under international law than rights it is entitled to enjoy.
    The land of Japs has not yet made any honest repentance or settlement of the crimes it committed during the war of aggression though it imposed unspeakable misfortune and sufferings upon humankind. However, it is talking about the "contribution to global peace and stability" and exercise of such right as the "the right to collective self-defense" under international law despite the fact that it still remains recorded as an enemy state in the UN Charter. This is nothing but a brazen-faced abuse of international law that can be perpetrated only by the reactionaries of the island country characterized by shameless and crafty nature.
    Noting that the above-said move of the land of Japs is a serious crime as it threatens the peace and security of the world, the paper roundly exposed its aggressive and bellicose nature.
    The paper went on:
    Thanks to the "pacifist constitution" this land enjoyed security, accumulated wealth and made economic progress until today. Nevertheless, the incumbent chief executive and ruling parties are working hard to replace it by a militarist constitution aimed at pursuing aggression again and justifying war under the unreasonable pretext that the existing constitution is outdated after the lapse of so many years. This is an unpardonable crime.
    It is the chief aim sought by the reactionaries of the land of Japs through the revision of the constitution to regain the right of belligerency of which it was deprived after its defeat in the Second World War and turn the "Self-Defence Forces" into the world's elite armed forces in a bid to justify its overseas expansion.
    The moves stepped up by those reactionaries for militarization and overseas expansion quite contrary to the world peace and security are clearly evidenced by the fact that they enacted a lot of laws related war in contravention of the spirit of the "pacifist constitution".
    The last more than decade alone witnessed the promulgation of the "law on cooperation in UN peace-keeping activities", "law on emergency in the surrounding areas ", "law on special measures against terrorism" and "law on emergency" and so on.
    The paper urged the authorities of the island country to behave themselves, keenly aware that their reckless moves for militarization and overseas expansion will only lead them to shameful destruction.

February 16 Celebrated in Different Countries

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- A lecture, a seminar and a reading session were held in Laos, Mexico and Democratic Congo and an opening ceremony of the Korean book, photo and handcraft exhibition took place in Russia from Jan. 11 to 19 on the occasion of the birthday of Kim Jong Il. Displayed at the exhibition were works of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and photos showing their undying feats and handicrafts associated with the resourcefulness and skills of the Korean people.
    The deputy secretary of the Vientiane City Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union in a lecture said that Kim Jong Il is a peerlessly great man who has pursued a policy for the future, a policy for the youth.
    The chairman of the Mexican Institute for the Study of the Juche Idea in a speech explained in depth that Kim Jong Il has made great contributions to the development of human thought through his energetic ideological and theoretical activities and authored works including "On the Juche Idea" and "Socialism Is a Science," thus giving a powerful impetus to the accomplishment of the human cause of independence.
    The chairman and members of the Group for the Study of the Juche Idea of University of Kinshasa of Democratic Congo said at the reading session that they would more deeply study the great Juche idea and Songun idea and conduct brisk activities to widely introduce them.

Korean People's Greatest Holidays to Be Commemorated in France

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- The French Preparatory Committee for Commemorating the Day of the Sun and February 16 was formed with due ceremony on Jan. 18. Delegate President of the France-Korea Friendship Association Andre Aubry, its Honorary President Jean Suret-Canale, Secretary General of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea Guy Dupre and other figures were elected co-chairmen of the preparatory committee at the ceremony.
    The preparatory committee decided to organize diverse events on the above-said occasions.

Cause of Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea Supported by Indian Political Party

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- The Revolutionary Socialist Party of India issued a statement on Jan. 21 in support of the part of the joint New Year editorial of the DPRK newspapers Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi dealing with the issue of Korea's reunification. Extending full support to the cause of the DPRK and its reunification movement, the statement expressed the belief that this year would be a year of a turning point in the history of the DPRK and an important year which would open a new phase for national reunification.
    The Revolutionary Socialist Party of India strongly denounces the U.S. anachronistic hostile policy toward the DPRK and calls upon all the Korean people to form an alliance against the anti-reunification forces, the statement noted.
    Expressing the belief that the Korean people will actively support and uphold the great Songun policy, the lifeline of the nation, the statement extended unequivocal support and solidarity to the cause of the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.

January Issue of "Juche Idea" Published in Japan

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- The January Issue of "Juche Idea" was published by the National Liaison Council of the Japan Society for Study of Kim Jong Il's Works. The paper carries photo-accompanied reports that the International Institute of the Juche Idea held a regular forum to discuss, among other things, the question of making this year an epochal year in the study and dissemination of the Juche idea and that it brought out the magazine "Study of Juche Idea," its organ.
    The paper gives accounts of a seminar held in Osaka on the theme of "Peaceful Asia," a study session on the Japan-DPRK friendship and peace held in Okayama and a study session held in Okinawa under the title "Nature of Present Regime and Peace in Northeast Asia."
    It was emphasized at the seminar and study sessions that the Japan-DPRK relations should be improved and diplomatic relations be established between the two countries at an early date and Japan should not follow the U.S. lead but defend peace in Asia in solidarity with the DPRK.

Japanese Reactionaries' Ambition to Grab Tok Islet under Fire

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- The land of Japs is shameless enough to so frequently assert "dominium" over Tok Islet. In this regard Rodong Sinmun Thursday in an article cites facts to prove that its assertion is losing its justification as the days go by. Its brazen-faced claim to Tok Islet is related to its aggressive strategy for existence in the new century, the article says, and goes on:
    Japan is keen to stage a comeback to Korea with its military invasion of the islet as a prelude. The reactionaries of this island country are putting main emphasis on a military option to grab Tok Islet on the basis of their calculation that it is favorable for turning Japan into a military power.
    They consider the claim to the islet as a good pretext for turning Japan into a military power and realizing their ambition to reinvade Korea.
    Their claim is also aimed at attaining their political objective.
    It is due to Japan's behavior blindly toeing the U.S. line that it is ridiculed by the world people as an "imbecile diplomat" and "political dwarf."
    Japan's inveterate subservience to the U.S. cannot but be the biggest impediment to its efforts to emerge a political power. It opts for territorial dispute to hide this drawback and justify its policy. It is sparking off territorial disputes with its neighboring countries including the Tok Islet of Korea, Diaoyu Island of China and the southern Kuriles of Russia.
    Japan seeks to achieve its sinister aim through these disputes.
    However, such move of Japan is as foolish an act as building a skyscraper on the sand. Japan's distortion of history and its loudmouthed "dominium" over Tok Islet would get it nowhere. It will be ridiculed and censured by the international community as a grabber of other's land and robber.
    Tok Islet will always remain part of the inviolable territory of Korea no matter what claim Japan makes to it. Japan would be well advised to give up its foolish daydream, bearing deep in mind it will have to pay dearly for its reckless moves to grab Tok Islet.

Greetings to Ugandan President

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, on Jan. 22 on the commemoration day of the victory in the national movement of resistance in his country. Saying that Kim truly rejoiced over the great successes achieved by the Ugandan people in the efforts for peace, stability and economic development of the country for over 20 years under the leadership of the President, the message wholeheartedly wished the friendly Ugandan people fresh progress and prosperity.

Congratulations to Czech Prime Minister

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Pak Pong Ju sent a congratulatory message to Mirek Topolanek on his election as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. Expressing the belief that the long-standing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in their mutual interests, the message wished him success in his work for the prosperity of the country and welfare of its people.

Choe Thae Bok Meets Iranian Ambassador

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a conversation with Jalaleddin Namini Mianji, Iranian ambassador to the DPRK, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Thursday when the latter paid a farewell call on him. On hand were Kim Wan Su, chairman of the DPRK-Iran Friendship Parliamentary Group, others and a member of the Iranian embassy here.

More Materials for Class Education Displayed in Korea

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- A Chokhwa Monument has been discovered and displayed at the Kaesong City Class Education Museum of the DPRK. The Chokhwa monuments calling for rejection of reconciliation with foreign forces were erected in different parts of the country in the year of 1871 in reflection of the fighting spirit of the Korean people against the foreign invaders. The monuments were destroyed by traitors flattering and yielding to the Japanese imperialists.
    It is a historical relic showing the then socio-historical background.
    The class education museum collected several copies of documents issued by ruling institutions including the "Oriental Development Company" set up by the Japanese imperialists to plunder land and natural resources of Korea and intensify colonial exploitation before the liberation.
    The museum also secured the data that the number of people who took part in the March First Popular Uprising in the Kaesong area totaled over 120,000 and data on their seven-day-long struggle according to days.
    Along with this, it gathered eight photographs showing the main street, railway station and Nam Gate in Kaesong destroyed beyond recognition by bombings of the U.S. imperialists during the Fatherland Liberation War (June.1950-July.1953) and several photos showing the defeat and atrocities of the invaders.
    Displayed there are 30-odd photos showing people of Kaesong city cheering the August 15 liberation in street, a newspaper carrying the data on their solidarity struggle for the Kwangju Student Incident (October.1929-April.1930) and boy prisoners.

Congratulatory Message to Czech Foreign Minister

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, sent a congratulatory message to Karel Schwarzenberg on his appointment as foreign minister of the Czech Republic. In the belief that the long-standing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger, the message wished him success in his new job.

Slogans for Anti-Japanese Struggle Released in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification reportedly released slogans for anti-Japanese struggle on Jan. 19. The slogans charged that the Japanese authorities' suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan is a provocation against the Korean nation and it reminds one of the "Yusin" dictatorship. It called for actively defending the national rights of Koreans in Japan as they supported the struggle against the dictatorship.
    The suppression of Koreans in Japan is an extension of the operations and war moves against the DPRK, the slogans said, calling on the forces for peace against war to take the lead in forcing Japan to put an end to the suppression of Koreans in Japan.

For Spanish-speaking people

Rodong Sinmun revela la ambicion de Japon de usurpar la isla Tok

    Pyongyang, 25 de enero (ATCC) -- Aunque el pais japi habla tanto de su "derecho de posesion" de la isla Tok, resulta cada dia mas irrazonable esta opinion, relacionada con su estrategia agresiva del nuevo siglo para la existencia. En un articulo individual difundido este jueves, el periodico Rodong Sinmun desenmascara que los reaccionarios nipones pretenden invadir la isla Tok para dar inicio a nueva agresion a Corea y convertirse en una potencia militar y prosigue:
    Por otra parte, tratan de alcanzar sus objetivos politicos reclamando la soberania sobre el polemico islote.
    Como saldo del servilismo incondicional a EE.UU., el pais japi es burlado por todo el mundo como "inmaduro en diplomacia" y "enano politico".
    El servilismo cronico a EE.UU. produce efectos mas negativos en las pretensiones de Japon de erigirse como una potencia politica.
    　A fin de cubrir esta desventaja y cumplir sus fines malsanos, este pais isleno provoca litigios territoriales con los paises vecinos en torno a la isla referida, la Diaoyu de China y las Kuriles de Rusia.
    Pero, tal pensamiento resulta tan estupido igual al proyecto de edificar un rascacielos en el aire.
    Si Japon sigue reclamando el "derecho de posesion" de la isla Tok distorsionando la historia, sera repudiado por la sociedad internacional como gangster y usurpador territorial.
    　Diga lo que diga el pais japi, ese islote fue, es y sera siempre una parte sagrada del territorio coreano.
    　Es aconsejable que Japon renuncie su necio intento de arrebatarlo, antes de pasar mas verguenzas.

Comite preparatorio de Francia para efemerides coreanas

    Pyongyang, 25 de enero (ATCC) -- Quedo constituido el dia 18 en Antony el comite preparatorio de Francia 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 copresidentes del comite naciente fueron electos Andre Aubry y Jean Suret-Canale, delegado-presidente y presidente honorario de la Asociacion de Amistad Francia-Corea, respectivamente, Guy Dupre, secretario general del Comite Internacional de Enlace por la Reunificacion y la Paz en Corea, y otras personalidades.
    　La entidad decidio organizar variadas actividades con motivo de dichas efemerides coreanas.

Recogidos nuevos materiales para educacion clasista

    Pyongyang, 25 de enero (ATCC) -- Recientemente, fue exhibido en el Museo de Educacion Clasista de la ciudad de Kaesong un recien descubierto "Monumento Chokhwa" (palabra coreana que significa rechazo a la paz con invasores foraneos). 　Tal monumento fue levantado en muchas localidades del pais reflejando el espiritu de lucha del pueblo coreano contra los agresores extranjeros y luego destruido por los vendepatrias projaponeses.
    　En este sentido, el recien hallado ejemplar tiene mucho valor porque refleja la situacion socio-historica de aquel entonces.
    　Ademas, los empleados del museo referido recogieron tambien los valores emitidos por la "Sociedad Anonima del Desarrollo Oriental", que fue fundada antes de liberacion de Corea por los imperialistas del pais japi para saquear a su antojo la tierra y recursos naturales de Corea y recrudecer la explotacion colonial.
    　Tambien, recolectaron un dato referente a la participacion de mas de 120 mil habitantes de la zona de Kaesong en el Levantamiento Popular del Primero de Marzo y los otros alusivos a sus luchas en cada jornada de los 7 dias que duro la rebelion. 　Igualmente, fueron halladas 8 fotos de las centricas calles, la estacion ferroviaria de Kaesong, la Gran Puerta Nam de esta urbe y otras edificaciones destruidas durante la Guerra de Liberacion de la Patria debido al cruel bombardeo de los imperialistas yanquis y otras relativas a la derrota y barbaridades de estos.
    　Ademas, recogieron mas de 30 fotos en que aparecen los ciudadanos de Kaesong aclamando en la calle la liberacion de Corea del 15 de agosto y los reos ninos, en especial, un ejemplar publicado en un periodico que muestra la lucha solidaria de los primeros con los alzados del Incidente Estudiantil de Kwangju.

CCPAP rechaza versiones de prensa surcoreana sobre turismo en Kaesong

    Pyongyang, 25 de enero (ATCC) -- En una rueda de prensa concedida la vispera con la Agencia Telegrafica Central de Corea, el portavoz del Comite Coreano por la Paz de Asia y el Pacifico (CCPAP) rechazo las versiones no apegadas a la realidad de la prensa surcoreana sobre el turismo en Kaesong. Ultimamente, varias radioemisoras y periodicos del Sur de Corea reportaron como si nosotros (CCPAP) hubieramos decidido reanudar el turismo en Kaesong con la Firma Hyundai y Asan tras revocar el lineamiento de cambiar el socio por la Compania Turistica Lotte.
    Para atribuir cierta "credulidad", anadieron que el CCPAP lo notifico al ex ministro de "Reunificacion" del Sur de Corea que habia visitado el 8 de diciembre del ano pasado la Zona Industrial de Kaesong y dio un "mensaje positivo al turismo en cuestion" durante la entrevista con la Firma Hyundai y Asan celebrada en el monte Kumgang.
    Aunque no vale la pena comentar esta desinformacion plagada de mentiras, nos vemos obligados a exponer nuestra posicion al respecto porque los medios surcoreanos distorsionan la realidad involucrandonos en este caso.
    Vemos este caso como un sucio complot que idearon las autoridades surcoreanas junto con los ambiciosos y conspiradores de la Hyundai y Asan que son capaces de hacer cualquier cosa para sus ganancias del negocio.
    Siempre hemos apreciado la confianza reciproca con la parte Sur tomando la reconciliacion y la unidad de la nacion coreana por el objetivo principal de la colaboracion economica intercoreana, inclusive el trabajo con la Hyundai.
    Sin embargo, embaucadas por los ambiciosos y conspiradores dentro de esa firma, las elites de esta pagaron con traicion los privilegios y prerrogativas, que les hemos concedido, y quebraron la confianza y la amistad de largo tiempo, establecidas por sus antecesores con nuestra parte.
    Esta conducta nos obligo a revisar todas las labores con la Hyundai y desaprobarla como socio del turismo en Kaesong, tema que entonces estaba sobre el tapete.
    Al respecto, la parte Hyundai reflexiono seriamente de sus errores ante nosotros y nos pidio perdon en varias ocasiones asegurando no volver a cometer acciones desleales.
    Calificando de verdaderas la posicion y la actitud cambiadas de esta firma, la tratamos con indulgencia y buena voluntad.
    Pero, la realidad muestra que tal excusa y reflexion fueron lagrimas de cocodrilo y los ambiciosos y conspiradores de la Hyundai siguen intentando conducir al mal camino la colaboracion con nuestra parte.
    Hasta la fecha, no hemos firmado ningun acuerdo oficial con la Hyundai sobre el turismo en Kaesong ni mucho menos lo hemos tratado recientemente con ella.
    Sigue invariable nuestra posicion y no tenemos nada que examinar y reconsiderar los supuestos cambios.
    La parte Hyundai y las autoridades surcoreanas deben darse clara cuenta de que las intrigas enajenadas del objetivo principal y el sentido de la colaboracion Norte-Sur imposibilitan desarrollar debidamente cualquier trabajo como parte de la misma.
    Por lo tanto, han de esclarecer la verdad de esas desinformaciones, pedir perdon al respecto y prometer no repetirlas.
    Al mismo tiempo, cuestionamos tambien tal campana publicitaria de la prensa surcoreana y la erronea posicion informativa de los medios conservadores como "Dong-a Ilbo".
    Hoy dia en que crece cada dia mas el entusiasmo por la reconciliacion y unidad de la nacion, los medios surcoreanos no deben oponerse a la corriente de la epoca actual, lejos de conducirla a una senda correcta siendo fieles a la mision de la prensa.
    Los medios conservadores opuestos a la reunificacion, que fomentan la desconfianza entre los coterraneos y confrontacion fratricida, siempre estaran en desacuerdo con la era de reunificacion iniciada el 15 de Junio y seran arruinados por la fuerte denuncia de la nacion y la historia.
    Observaremos de cerca la posicion posterior de la parte Hyundai y las autoridades surcoreanas.