KCNA Blasts Japan's Scheme to Scuttle Six-Party Talks
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- A working group meeting for the normalization of the DPRK-Japan relations recently took place in Hanoi under a joint agreement reached at the third session of the fifth round of the six-party talks on February 13.
Many countries hoped measures would be discussed for the normalization of the bilateral relations based on Japan's redemption of its inglorious past and solution of pending issues between the two countries at the meeting.
Japan, however, insisted on the repatriation of all the abductees it claims still alive, probe into the truth and extradition of criminals, etc. saying that the diplomatic relations can be opened only when the "abduction issue" is settled, to begin with. It even made far-fetched assertions that the issue can not be considered as settled although it was confirmed that some of the victims are no longer alive and all of the abductees should be repatriated to Japan on the premises that all of them are alive.
The working meeting thus failed to reach any agreement due to Japan's wrong act of seriously violating the spirit of the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration and that of the February 13 joint document.
This is an inevitable product of the deliberate moves of the present ruling quarters and the right-wing forces of Japan who do not want the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the normalization of the bilateral relations.
Prior to the meeting, Prime Minister Abe blustered that "Japan should approach the meeting, pursuant to the policy which calls on it not to participate in the energy assistance if no progress is made in the settlement of the 'abduction issue.'" Foreign Minister Aso, too, uttered that "Japan cannot provide even a single yen for energy assistance if no progress is made in this respect."
It is not hard to guess how the delegation to the meeting had behaved to represent the stand of the authorities.
The DPRK, therefore, is compelled to clarify its stand as regards the "energy assistance" touted by Japan.
The DPRK has never asked Japan for any assistance and it has no idea of getting any help from it, either.
It did not build its economy with others' help in the past.
It is the DPRK's avowed principled stand to consolidate and develop the independent national economy with its technology and resources.
For Japan to claim that without Japan's energy assistance the DPRK would face great difficulties in its economic development is nothing but a ridiculous calculation of those who know nothing about its economy.
The energy assistance to the DPRK was what the six parties including Japan agreed upon at the talks.
The DPRK does not care about whether Japan gives energy assistance to it or not because it would not affect much the DPRK's economic development. This is its message to the Japanese statesmen.
But what Japan should do unconditionally is to apologize and compensate for the crimes committed by it against the Korean people in the past.
At the recent meeting Japan sidestepped the issue of settling such hideous crimes committed against humankind as forcible drafting and kidnapping of at least 8.4 million Koreans, killing of more than one million of them and recruitment of 200,000 "comfort women" for the imperial Japanese army, even distorting the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration.
The present Japanese chief executive is a grandson of A class war criminal and the foreign minister is a descendant of the Asos who forcibly took Koreans to coal mines, forcing them to do slave labor. Therefore, they are obliged to more honestly and humbly reflect on the crimes committed by Japan than any others and have the crimes committed by their forefathers settled.
Nevertheless, they instructed their delegates to vociferate at the meeting about the "abduction issue" which had found its settlement thanks to the DPRK's sincere efforts, while turning aside from the issue of redressing Japan's past. How brazen-faced the present Japanese statesmen are.
Explicitly speaking, Japan should settle its past in such a manner as to convince the Korean people by way of compensating for the damage done to them and the crimes perpetrated against them. The hideous crimes committed by Japan against humanity should be settled as a separate issue.
The DPRK strongly demands Japan stop talking about the "abduction issue" but redeem the crimes committed by it in the past which are more horrendous than the issue and sincerely implement the agreement reached at the six-party talks.
Japan's failure to do so would only betray its true colors as a mean country behaving quite contrary to the promise and good faith it had said honor before the international community. Then it will stand further ostracized and isolated worldwide.
Japan Urged to Apologize and Compensate for Its Past Crimes
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The U.S. Group for the Study of Songun Politics and the U.S. Solidarity Committee for Supporting the Anti-imperialist National Democratic Front and the Struggle of People in south Korea issued a joint statement on Mar. 12 urging Japan to apologize and compensate for the crimes committed by it against the Korean people.
Expressing full support to the just actions of the Korean people demanding Japan settle its past crimes, the statement termed Japan's behavior denying its sexual slavery the most impudent action and distortion of the historical facts.
The world progressive and revolutionary organizations and figures demand Japan immediately apologize and compensate for its past crimes and abandon its militarist ambition, it stressed.
S. Korean Authorities Urged to Allow Int'l Joint Anti-War Actions
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The People's Action for Opposing the Troop Dispatch of south Korea reportedly called a press conference in Seoul on Mar. 15 at which it made public a declaration of figures of different circles demanding the south Korean authorities immediately pull back the south Korean troops dispatched overseas and allow a rally and march as part of international joint anti-war actions.
Speakers at the press conference accused the "government" of going to dispatch troops overseas, talking about the "state interests," declaring that if this is allowed, this would record the ill-fame of being a criminal state in the history of the Korean nation.
They termed the action taken by the "government" to disallow the rally and march in Seoul an action to violate even the elementary norm of democracy.
A declaration read out at the press conference branded the south Korean "government" again contemplating the dispatch of south Korean troops overseas, talking a lot about the south Korea-U.S. "alliance," as an assistant faithful to the U.S. that has grown corpulent by dint of war and aggression.
The servile attitude of the present "government" towards the barbarous war of the U.S. aimed at aggression and plunder will only justify its logic of world supremacy, the declaration noted, holding that the peaceful rally and march of people for preserving conscience and justice should be allowed under any circumstances.
Establishment of Fair International Order Called for
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- It would be possible to get rid of old international order characteristic of domination and subjugation and the world order of domination whereby the stronger prey upon the weaker and create a free and peaceful environment only when a new and fair international order is established, says Rodong Sinmun in a signed article Tuesday.
Noting that it is an urgent requirement of the times to establish a new and fair international order, the article goes on:
Only when such an international order is established can all arbitrary practices, interference and inequality be eliminated in the international relations, the sovereignty of all countries and nations be respected and defended, the principle of equality and impartiality be strictly observed and interference in the internal affairs of other countries and nations and strong-arm and arbitrary practices be brought to an end.
The present international order is an old and partial one under which the imperialists openly infringe upon the sovereignty of other countries and a jungle law holds sway.
Making no secret of their wild ambition to establish a system of their global domination, the imperialists resort to infringement upon the sovereignty of the countries standing in their way and those situated in major zones rich in natural resources and in military strategic vantages.
No one can guess which country will fall a victim next to the military aggression launched by the imperialists under a preposterous pretext. This is a stark reality today.
Some specific countries do whatever they want while incriminating others when they do something, raising a hue and cry over it as if something terrible has happened. Such woefully abnormal discrimination is the true picture of the international relations today.
If interference in the internal affairs of other countries and strong-arm and arbitrary practices are allowed and fostered, the world will be divided into dominating and dominated countries and relations of antagonism and confrontation, domination and subjugation will prevail between them.
It is the imperialists' unreasonable double-standard policy in international affairs which makes the international relations unequal and partial.
To achieve international unity of the people demanding a new and fair international order is a basic requirement in foiling the imperialists' moves for domination and building a free and peaceful new world.
Greetings to Namibian President
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of Namibia, on March 17 on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of its independence.
In the message Kim sincerely wished the president and people of Namibia continued fresh success in their work for consolidating the socio-economic successes made since independence and steady development and prosperity of the country and expressed the belief that the excellent friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the future.
Congratulations to Guinean Prime Minister
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a congratulatory message to Lansana Kouyate upon his appointment as Guinean Prime Minister.
Expressing belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to develop favorably in the future, too, the message sincerely wished him success in his new job.
2007 WWIHC (B Class) Under Way
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The 2007 World Women's Ice Hockey Championships (B Class) is going on in the way of league match from March 17 in the DPRK amid the great interests of people within and without.
Attending the championships are teams from the DPRK, Italy, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia and Netherlands which have proved successful in the past.
The DPRK team, with good game results, came first in the contest for the qualification for the World Women's Ice Hockey Championships (B Class) held in Hungary in March Juche 89 (2000).
The Italian team is regarded as a likely winner at the current championships and the Slovakian, Austrian and other teams are also strong.
The winner is qualified to participate in the A Class championships.
The players and coaches of the teams are doing the best they can for the title from the beginning of the championships.
It is hard to guess which team will become the champion with the game results up to now.
DPRK Government Economic Delegation Leaves for Russia
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- A DPRK government economic delegation led by Minister of Foreign Trade Rim Kyong Man left here Tuesday to attend the fourth meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy and Science and Technology between the DPRK and Russia to be held in Russia.
Members of AINDF Pyongyang Mission Visit Revolutionary Museum in Ponghwa-ri
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Chief Jo Il Min and other members of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front (AINDF) visited the revolutionary museum in Ponghwa-ri on Tuesday on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Korean National Association by Kim Hyong Jik, an indomitable revolutionary fighter and the outstanding leader of the anti-Japanese national liberation movement in Korea.
They laid a bouquet and observed a silent tribute before his statue there.
They looked around the relics and materials on display at the museum before going round Myongsin School and other places.
After the visit, Jo Il Min wrote in the visitor's book that the exploits of Kim Hyong Jik, who advanced the noble idea of "Aim High" and devoted his precious life to the sacred cause for the independence of the country and freedom and liberation of the people by leading the KNA, will shine long.
Japanese Authorities Denounced for Suppression and Human Rights Abuses against Chongryon
Tokyo, March 18 (KNS-KCNA) -- A Kyushu district meeting of Koreans in Japan took place in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, on March 10 to denounce the Japanese authorities' unreasonable political suppression and human rights abuses against the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) and Koreans in Japan.
It was attended by Chongryon officials, Koreans and students from Fukuoka, Oita, Saga, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures and Japanese figures.
The meeting heard a report and indignant speeches.
The reporter and speakers bitterly condemned the fascist atrocities of the Japanese government and police authorities and strongly demanded that the Japanese government stop at once its hostile policy toward the DPRK going against the international political trend and its politically-motivated suppression and human rights abuses against Chongryon and Koreans in Japan.
Then followed solidarity speeches of Japanese figures.
They said the Japanese government was hell bent on misinformation against the DPRK through media, but there were 26 societies and friends supporting Korean schools in various parts of Japan. They stated that they would make joint efforts to put an end to the Japanese government's discrimination against and suppression of Koreans through Japan-Korea friendship and solidarity.
At the end of the meeting its participants started a protest march, chanting slogans, with placards denouncing suppression by the Japanese government.
Meanwhile, representatives of Shiga Korean Primary School including its principal and parents of pupils formed a protest group and staged a protest action against the Osaka Prefectural Police Office on March 8. Koreans and Japanese citizens in Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures joined them.
The members of the protest group tried to hand to the police authorities a signature paper signed by at least 12,500 Koreans in Japan in protest against the unjustifiable search of Shiga Korean Primary School by the Japanese police authorities.
When police officers refused to accept the signature paper, the enraged members of the protest group staged a fight in front of the Osaka Prefectural Police Office together with Koreans in Japan.
For Spanish-speaking people
Kim Jong Il inspecciona la comandancia de la Unidad No. 350 del EPC
Pyongyang, 20 de marzo (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea, inspecciono la comandancia de la Unidad No. 350 del EPC.
Tras recorrer la sala de presentacion del historial de la Unidad entro en la sala de mando operacional y otras de estudio militar donde se entero del estado de cumplimiento del deber y del entrenamiento de los comandantes.
Se mostro satisfecho de que la Unidad, al realizar sustancialmente los ejercicios para elevar la capacidad de mando operacional, forma a todos los miembros directivos como comandantes dotados de la alta capacidad operacional capaz de organizar y dirigir habilmente las misiones combativas de cualquier indole de la guerra contemporanea e indico las tareas que se presentan para fortalecer la combatividad de la Unidad.
Realizo un recorrido por la Casa de Militares, la biblioteca y otros establecimientos de educacion cultural para enterarse del estado de la labor politica para los militares.
Elogio el hecho de que la Unidad, luego de acondicionar excelentemente los centros de educacion cultural, desarrolla dinamicamente la educacion revolucionaria y clasista valiendose de diversos materiales y, en particular, al organizar con esmero la lectura, convirtio los militares en lectores asiduos.
Dijo que el ambiente revolucionario de lectura reinante en todo el ejercito es un otro rasgo orgulloso que se puede ver solo en nuestro ejercito revolucionario que guia la epoca de Songun.
Al recorrer los cuarteles, edificios y el recinto construidos modernamente, se mostro muy regocijado de que todos estos se acondicionaron excelentemente en el nivel supremo del nuevo siglo y evaluo altamente los exitos laborales de los militares de la Unidad que produjeron la renovacion en la administracion de la Unidad.
Elogio que la Unidad acondiciono excelentemente todas las instalaciones de intendencia comodas para la vida y los oficiales cuidan cordialmente con un sentimiento fraternal la vida de soldados.
El Comandante Supremo se fotografio junto a los militares de la Unidad.
Le acompanaron los generales de ejercito del EPC Ri Myong Su y Hyon Chol Hae, el primer subjefe de departamento del CC del PTC Ri Jae Il y el subjefe de departamento del CC del PTC Hwang Pyong So.
ATCC comenta actitud de Japon opuesta al acuerdo del 13 de febrero
Pyongyang, 20 de marzo (ATCC) -- Hace unos dias, a tenor del acuerdo conjunto aprobado el 13 de febrero en la tercera fase de la quinta ronda de conversaciones a 6 bandas, tuvo lugar en Hanoi, Vietnam, la reunion entre los grupos de expertos de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y de Japon para normalizar las relaciones bilaterales.
Numerosos paises del mundo esperaron que en esta cita se abordaran las medidas para el saneamiento de las relaciones entre los dos paises asiaticos a base de la liquidacion del pasado ignominioso de Japon y la solucion de los demas asuntos pendientes.
Sin embargo, este pais isleno puso como requisito del establecimiento de las relaciones diplomaticas la solucion prioritaria del "problema del secuestro" e insistio en la devolucion de todos los secuestrados sobrevivientes, el esclarecimiento de los verdaderos aspectos y la extradicion de los "raptores".
Para colmo, esgrimieron su criterio tan absurdo de que este asunto no quedara atajado aunque se confirme el fallecimiento de algunas victimas y hay que repatriarlas a Japon a condicion de que todas esten vivas.
A causa de tal actitud erronea del pais isleno, contrariada a la Declaracion Corea-Japon de Pyongyang y al acuerdo arriba mencionado, esta reunion resulto infructifera.
Esto devino el producto inevitable de las maniobras malintencionadas de la actual capa gobernante y el ala derechista de Japon que no desean la desnuclearizacion de la Peninsula Coreana ni la normalizacion de las relaciones con la RPDC.
Antes del inicio de esa cita, el premier japones Abe ordeno a "participar en ella con el lineamiento de no tomar parte en la asistencia energetica al Norte de Corea si no hay avance en el problema del secuestro" mientras el canciller del mismo pais Aso dijo que "Japon no podra ofrecer ni un \ en dicha actividad si este asunto sigue estancado".
Entonces, es facil imaginar con cual actitud procedio la delegacion japonesa, que representa tal posicion de sus autoridades.
Al respecto, nuestro pais se ve obligado a exponer su posicion en cuanto a la llamada "asistencia energetica" de que habla Japon.
No hemos pedido ninguna ayuda a Japon ni nos la proponemos.
En los tiempos pasados, no edificamos nuestra economia nacional con la asistencia de alguna parte.
Nos mantenemos firmes en la posicion de principios de consolidar y desarrollar la economia nacional independiente a base de los recursos naturales criollos.
Sin embargo, los japoneses ignorantes de la economia coreana anuncian ridiculamente como si su ayuda energetica ejerciera grandes influencias sobre el desarrollo economico de la RPDC.
Esta labor se impulsa segun el acuerdo alcanzado entre las 6 bandas, inclusive Japon.
Quisieramos dejar en claro a los politicos japoneses que la asistencia energetica del pais isleno no dara gran impacto al desarrollo economico de nuestro pais.
Pero, lo que debe hacer el pais isleno de modo incondicional es pedir perdon y remunerar sus crimenes cometidos en el pasado en detrimento del pueblo coreano.
En ese encuentro de expertos, la parte japonesa tergiverso los articulos de la Declaracion Corea-Japon de Pyongyang para eludir la liquidacion de sus crimenes antieticos de pesima calana como el arresto forzado y el secuestro de mas de 8 millones 400 mil coreanos, el genocidio de mas de un millon de estos y la conversion de 200 mil coreanas en las "consoladoras sexuales" para el viejo ejercito nipon.
El actual mandatario de Japon es nieto de un criminal de guerra de categoria A y el canciller es descendiente de la familia de los Aso que arresto forzadamente a los coreanos y les impuso trabajos de esclavitud en una mina carbonera.
Por lo tanto, ellos deben reflexionar mas sinceramente que nadie del expediente criminal del pasado de su pais y tienen la obligacion directa de liquidar las infamias de sus antepasados.
Sin embargo, mandaron a plantear en la reunion el "problema del secuestro", ya resuelto gracias a los esfuerzos de buena fe de nuestro pais, dando espaldas a la liquidacion del pasado criminal.
Este hecho comprueba cuan descarados son los actuales politiqueros islenos.
Ratificamos que la expiacion de los crimenes del pasado debe llevarse a cabo a modo de remuneracion de las perdidas y crimenes ocasionados en el pasado al pueblo coreano y los demas macro-crimenes antieticos deben ser recompensados caso por caso.
Demandamos fuertemente a Japon dejar de esgrimir el "problema del secuestro", liquidar sus crimenes del pasado, incomparablemente grandes y peores que el primero, y ejecutar con fidelidad los puntos del referido acuerdo de la cita a 6 bandas.
En caso contrario, Japon mostrara una vez mas la fachada bochornosa de si mismo que incumple sin ninguna pena sus compromisos contraidos con la sociedad internacional y no repara en traicionar la confianza de esta.
Por consiguiente, quedara cada vez mas despreciado y aislado.
Rodong Sinmun aboga por un nuevo e imparcial orden internacional
Pyongyang, 20 de marzo (ATCC) -- Solo cuando se establezca un nuevo y justo orden internacional, es posible eliminar el viejo orden mundial de dominacion y subyugacion, basado en la ley de selva, y dar el ambiente libre y pacifico.
En ese sentido, implantar un nuevo orden deviene la demanda apremiante de la epoca.
Asi senala el periodico Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual del dia 20 y continua:
El establecimiento de ese orden permitira a los paises y naciones acabar con toda clase de arbitrariedad, intervencion y desigualdad en las relaciones internacionales, defender su soberania y observar estrictamente el principio de igualdad e imparcialidad.
En particular, posibilita poner fin a los actos de intervencion en asuntos internos, coercion y despotismo contra otros paises y naciones.
El actual orden internacional es el caduco y desigual en que se perpetra abiertamente la violacion de la soberania por parte de los imperialistas y reina la ley de selva.
Los imperialistas, al exteriorizar abiertamente su ambicion de establecer el sistema de dominio a todo el mundo, perpetran los atentados a la soberania de los paises considerados como obstaculos a tal intento, y de los otros situados en las regiones con ricos yacimientos de recursos naturales importantes y los nidos estrategico-militares.
Bajo las circunstancias de hoy es imposible presumir cual pais sera invadido por los imperialistas y con cual pretexto tan absurdo.
En las actuales relaciones internacionales se reportan casos tan anormales y discriminatorios como que unos paises privilegiados hacen todo lo que se les antoje, pero, escandalizan lo que hicieron los otros paises acusandolos de "criminales".
Si se promueven y se toleran la intervencion en asuntos internos, la coercion y el despotismo contra otros paises, el mundo se dividira en los paises dominantes y los dominados y persistiran las relaciones de antagonismo y enfrentamiento, de dominacion y subyugacion entre los paises.
En particular, debido a la politica de doble rasero que practican los imperialistas en el trato de los problemas internacionales, se tornan mas desiguales y parciales las relaciones internacionales.
Los pueblos que exigen el establecimiento del nuevo y justo orden internacional deben lograr la unidad internacional. Esto deviene la demanda fundamental para construir un nuevo mundo libre y pacifico destruyendo las maniobras dominacionistas de los imperialistas.