Foreign Ministry Spokesman on Japan's Distortion of History Textbooks
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued a statement Tuesday denouncing the Japanese authorities for becoming all the more undisguised in their moves to distort history despite unanimous censure and condemnation by the public at home and abroad.
It says:
As already reported, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on Mar. 30 gave an instruction to delete the part dealing with monstrous crimes committed by the Japanese imperialists against humanity in the past including the setting up and operation of "comfort centers" at Japanese army units or rewrite it as a distorted one, when screening history textbooks to be used by high schools in Japan.
Japan's renewed total denial of the history of aggression is an open mockery and challenge to its neighbors and the international community demanding justice and truth.
The Abe government's falsification of the stark historical facts is designed to repeat Japan's crime-woven history at any cost.
All the facts go to clearly prove that the Abe regime is typical of plot- breeding and hypocrisy as it abhors admitting its crimes more than anything else though it plays whatever sleight of hand to attain its sinister purpose.
Now it has become clearer that the "beautiful country" which they claim in the making is nothing but the same state keen on aggression as what used to be in the bygone days of the Japanese imperialists' rule.
If the Abe regime does not stop its anachronistic and foolish act, Japan will not have any future but meet only destruction.
Arab Lawyers Union Issues Statement on Day of Sun
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- The Arab Lawyers Union issued a statement on Mar. 28 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
April 15 this year is the 95th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung, the benevolent father of the Korean people, the statement said, adding that the DPRK has been converted into a powerful country, independent in politics, self-supporting in economy and self-reliant in national defence, under the wise guidance of the President.
It wholeheartedly wished the Korean people great success in their efforts to implement the behests of the President and build a great prosperous powerful country under the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il.
Mass Gymnastic and Artistic Performance "Arirang" to Be Given
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- The mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang", the Kim Il Sung Prize laureate, is slated to be given at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 95th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
The creative staff and performers are energetically pushing ahead at a final phase with the work to successfully re-produce the performance as a masterpiece reflecting the spirit of the present times.
The performance will be given from mid-April to late May.
Posters on April Spring Friendship Art Festival Printed
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- The organizing committee of the April Spring Friendship Art Festival brought out posters in the run-up to the 25th festival to be held on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
Among them is a poster depicting fireworks displayed in the sky in April with immortal flowers Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia printed in relief. It represents the sincere and warm feelings of the Korean people warmly welcoming artistes coming to Pyongyang from different parts of the world to attend the festival with songs and dances in praises of the great persons.
There is also a poster bearing the slogan "Let's loudly sing songs of independence, peace and friendship!" and depicting artistes of different countries in their national dresses. It expresses belief that the festival will demonstrate the desire and will of the progressive humankind to lead a worthwhile life in an independent new world.
The new posters include a poster portraying a vocalist enthusiastically singing to the tune of a beautiful song and artistes skillfully playing musical instruments of different kinds and posters showing dancers presenting graceful rhythms and acrobats performing movements requiring high technique.
Sultan of Oman on Friendly Relations with DPRK
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, sultan of Oman, said that his country attaches importance to the friendship with the DPRK, when receiving credentials from the DPRK ambassador to his country on Mar. 28.
The sultan said that he would make all efforts to boost the bilateral relations of friendship in the future, too.
Book "The Leader and His Alma Mater" Published
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- The Workers' Party of Korea Publishing House brought out the book "The Leader and His Alma Mater" recording the brilliant revolutionary life and immortal exploits of President Kim Il Sung associated with the Changdok School.
It carries a picture of the statue of the President standing at the Changdok School and pictures of the old building of the school preserved as it was in the days when he studied there, relics and materials showing his revolutionary activities in his school days.
Under the titles "Journey to Korea" and "Let's Learn for Korea" it tells that Kim Il Sung, cherishing as his motto the words of Kim Hyong Jik that one should know about his country well to restore it despoiled by the Japanese imperialists, came to Mangyongdae through the "250-mile journey for learning" and studied hard Korean language and letters, history and geography at the Changdok School and fostered his great ambition to restore the country, witnessing the miserable reality of the country and the languishing people.
Under the titles "Outstanding Gift," "Precious Experience" and "Pledge to the Country and People" the book says that Kim Il Sung, already in his early days, was possessed of a far-reaching goal and rare ambition, distinguished wisdom, broad and profound political view, rich knowledge, strong will, big-hearted character, warm comradeship and noble virtues.
The book recounts that he grew into a great revolutionary possessed of steadfast spirit of independence against imperialism, resolute working-class stand, scientific penetration and distinguished leadership ability among people suffering under exploitation and oppression and in the land of distress and embarked upon the road of sacred revolution.
Under the titles "Visit to Alma Mater with Auspicious Liberation," "Putting It in the Van of Democratic Education," "One Should Know His Own Things First," "Respect and Love" and "Visit to Alma Mater in Advanced Age" it gives a detailed description of the fact that he often recollected the alma mater, never forgetting it in his life, and visited the school many a time, busy as he was with the state affairs, and indicated a bright way of the education of the younger generation.
Rodong Sinmun on S. Korea's Action Taken to Disconnect Internet Sites
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- The Defense Security Command of the south Korean army on March 26 labeled 32 Internet homepages "pro-north Internet sites" and disconnected them for the mere reason that they dealt with the justice of the Songun politics of the DPRK and its proposal for achieving reunification by federal formula.
Commenting on this action, Rodong Sinmun Tuesday says:
This is one more act against reunification running counter to the June 15 era of reunification and a fascist action against democracy and human rights as it was aimed to deprive the people of even their elementary right to enjoy information and tele-communications, a product of high human civilization.
A few years ago, the "National Intelligence Service" and the security authorities of south Korea disconnected the DPRK's Internet homepages including "By our nation itself" and homepages of the south Korean reunification movement organizations which had access to them after labeling them "pro-north."
The action taken by the south Korean security authorities to disallow the legitimate use of Internet is nothing but suppression of media in the age of information and tele-communications and a deliberate move to hamstring the process of inter-Korean reconciliation.
What is more intolerable is that an intelligence machine of the south Korean army was involved in detecting and disconnecting "pro-north sites." This compels the DPRK to suspect that south Korea is set to bring back the era of military dictatorship when it mobilized even the "Security Planning Board" and the military intelligence machine to kick up a whirlwind of fascism in the society whereby the reunification movement forces were labeled "enemy-benefiting elements" and "spies" and punished on charges of violation of the draconic "National Security Law."
The above-said action is a rash one intolerable in any case.
The south Korean ultra-right conservatives should halt at once such incomprehensible foolish acts of suppressing even the free use of information and tele-communications and media freedom, not away from the outdated logic of confrontation.
Shameless Acts of Japanese Politicians Assailed
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Shimomura in a recent TV appearance let loose a spate of rigmarole playing down the past crimes related to the "comfort women" for the imperial Japanese army.
Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary carried in this regard brands him as a lunatic and a political fool.
Shimomura made reckless remarks on the above-said crimes as he pleased in a bid to grossly misrepresent and deny them, although he knew well about the gravity of the hideous crimes committed by the Japanese imperialists in the past, the commentary notes, and goes on:
This is an intolerable challenge to the victims of sexual slavery and the conscience and justice of the world.
His outbursts clearly reveal the true colors of the descendents of Samurais steeped in the militarist idea to the marrow of their bones.
What he uttered fully reflects the stance and attitude of the Japanese government toward the past war crimes.
The fact that Japanese Prime Minister Abe denied the coercive recruitment of the "comfort women" and his confidant Shimomura echoed his remarks clearly proves that the present Japanese ruling quarters have common points and attitudes as far as their ultra-right and militaristic thinking is concerned. That is why the Japanese authorities are not willing to honestly admit, repent of and apologize for the past war crimes. Lurking behind this behavior is an ambition for reinvasion. The Japanese ruling quarters' moves to tamper with the history are prompted by their idea of revenging Japan's defeat and ambition for reinvasion. Herein lie the gravity and danger of the Japanese reactionaries' moves to distort the history and evade the responsibility to settle the past crimes.
The Abe forces made up of political imposters are denying and playing down the past crimes, hyping and internationalizing the "abduction issue" which had already found a solution in a foolish bid to prolong the remaining days of their dirty political life.
But such stupid act will only put them in a more difficult position.
The Korean people are well aware of how wicked the Japanese authorities are. We will never tolerate their denial of the past crimes and their insult to the Korean nation.
National Fine Art Exhibition Opens
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- A national fine art exhibition commemorating the Day of the Sun was opened at the Korean Art Gallery on Tuesday.
Put on display were more than 300 pieces of works truthfully depicting the brilliant revolutionary career of President Kim Il Sung and the undying feats performed by Kim Jong Il and the high national pride and self-esteem of the Korean people being blessed with leaders generation after generation.
Among them are Korean painting "Native Place Dear to Heart," oil painting "Cheers on December 24," sculpture "Always Trusting in People," calligraphic work "Stream of People Longing for the President" reflecting profound reverence and yearning for the President.
There are also Korean paintings "Songun Is My Will" and "At the Birthplace of Slogan 'One-Match-for-a Hundred'" and oil painting "Pleasure of General" vividly depicting the Songun revolutionary leadership feats of Kim Jong Il, the illustrious commander, and his noble patriotism and popular traits.
They include Korean painting "New Spring Comes to Mirim Plain," acrylic painting "Let's Turn Mt. Myohyang into Famous Mountain for the People," oil painting "As Kindly Mother of Smelters" portraying the noble career of Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese war hero.
Pine Tree on Yonji Peak
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- There is a pine tree on Yonji Peak which grows in the highest area among pine trees in Korea.
Under the topographical condition of Korea, pine trees generally grow in the areas lower than 800 meters above the sea level. But the tree has rooted in the area 2,110 meters above the sea level between Taeyonji and Soyonji Peaks of Mt. Paektu.
The climatic features of the area--yearly average temperature of six degrees centigrade below zero, winter temperature of 40 degrees centigrade below zero, strong wind, frequent fog and untimely snow and rain--make the tree take a singular shape.
The pine tree with six trunks is two meters high and its crown is three meters in diameter.
Influenced by the northwestern wind, its branches stretch out in the southeastern direction.
Its needle-leaves are three-five centimeters long and its cones smaller than those of ordinary pine trees.
The pine tree on Yonji Peak, which has been preserved as a natural product, is of a great significance in the study of plant distribution of Mt. Paektu in olden times as well as characteristics of its species and ecology.
Preparations for April Spring Friendship Art Festival at Final Stage
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- The 25th April Spring Friendship Art Festival is soon to be opened in Pyongyang.
The organizing committee of the festival is giving the finishing touch to the preparatory work, attaching a great importance to the forthcoming festival which will be held in the significant year commemorating the 95th anniversary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung.
The officials of the committee are striving hard to make it a grand art festival noteworthy in its history in line with the idea of the Pyongyang festival and the aspiration and desire of the Korean people and the world progressive peoples.
Vice-minister of Culture Choe Chang Il who is concurrently vice-chairman of the organizing committee, told KCNA as follows:
We have channeled great efforts into arranging well the venues for the opening and closing ceremonies of the festival.
Along with the preparatory work for organizing the opening ceremony grandly and significantly, we are preparing the closing performance, closing ceremony and awarding ceremony, the zenith of the festival, which will leave a deep impression behind and are working out colorful festival itinerary in proper combination with friendship gatherings and visits.
The invitation and performance subcommittees of the committee, in close contact with each other, are making a scrupulous preparation for classic music, pop music and national art performances with due consideration of the requirements and qualifications of the participants in the festival while preserving separate, group and joint performances as in the past.
Integration, function and etiquette subcommittees are making a preparation to ensure that functions will be successfully held on sidelines of the festival and, at the same time, are pushing ahead with arrangements for the festival participants and guests to visit grand monumental edifices, historical sites, scenic spots, cultural institutions and various other parts in Pyongyang and local areas as they want.
The related units are winding up their work one after another for the successful festival.
The ministries and national institutions are also sincerely helping in the preparations for the festival with deep interest.
The 25th April Spring Friendship Art Festival will more significantly adorn the Sun's Day, a holiday common to the humankind.
National Sports Festival Opens
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- The national sports festival was opened to commemorate the Day of the Sun.
The sports festival will be held at gymnasiums and stadiums in Pyongyang and other parts of the country. In the festival competitions will take place in over 30 events including football, basketball, volleyball, boxing, judo and swimming.
Its opening ceremony was held at the Basketball Gymnasium in Chongchun Street, Pyongyang, on Tuesday.
Present there were Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned and sportsmen.
Suit Filed against Japanese Authorities for Suppression of Chongryon
Tokyo, April 1 (KNS-KCNA) -- The Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) on March 30 filed a suit claiming compensation at the Tokyo District Court against the Tokyo metropolitan governor and the director of the Construction Department who canceled on an unreasonable ground the permission to use the Hibiya Park Grand Music Hall which had been designated for a meeting of Koreans in Japan for commemorating the March First Uprising.
On the same day, officials of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters and the Shibuse Branch of Chongryon and Koreans filed a similar suit at the Tokyo District Court against the Japanese government and the Tokyo metropolitan authorities for their unreasonable search of establishments related to Chongryon on the nonsensical charge of violation of the "Law on Medicine" in November last year.
In this connection, officials of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters and the branch of Chongryon and lawyers held a press conference at the Tokyo District Court that day.
For Spanish-speaking people
Rodong Sinmun denuncia bloqueo de internet en el Sur de Corea
Pyongyang, 3 de abril (ATCC) -- El pasado dia 26, la "agencia de informacion" del ejercito surcoreano definio los 32 sitios Web de Internet como "Paginas pro-Norte" acusandolos de que "divulgan la politica de Songun y transmiten la necesidad absoluta de la reunificacion confederal" y prohibio el acceso a los mismos.
Esto es un acto anti-reunificacion que contraviene a la epoca de reunificacion iniciada el 15 de junio y una violacion antidemocratica y antietica que pisotea el derecho elemental de los habitantes a disfrutar de la comunicacion informatica, producto de la civilizacion humana.
Senala asi el rotativo Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual emitido este miercoles y prosigue:
Hace unos anos, las autoridades de la seguridad publica del Sur de Corea incluso el "Servicio Nacional de Inteligencia" habian desconectado los sitios Web norcoreanos como "Entre nosotros, los connacionales" y prohibido su conexion con los otros de las entidades surcoreanas del movimiento por la reunificacion.
Esto es una represion contra la expresion en la epoca de comunicacion informatica y una maniobra intencional para obstaculizar el proceso de reconciliacion Norte-Sur de Corea.
Lo que no se puede pasar por alto es que en la "busqueda y bloqueo de los sitios Web pro-Norte" se inmiscuye una entidad de inteligencia militar, lo que provoca una precaucion de que el Sur de Corea rehabilitara la epoca de dictadura militar cuando habia movilizado el "departamento de planificacion para la seguridad" y los organos de inteligencia militar para acusar de "proenemigos" y de "espias" a las fuerzas de movimiento por la reunificacion y fascistizado la sociedad valiendose de la infame "ley de seguridad".
Es imperdonable en ningun caso el bloqueo de la via Internet a que recurren las autoridades surcoreanas de seguridad publica.
Las fuerzas conservadoras ultraderechistas del Sur de Corea deben poner de inmediato fin a la desconexion de la comunicacion informatica y a sus imprudentes actos represivos a la libertad de la palabra.
Rodong Sinmun condena a los bobos politicos de Japon
Pyongyang, 3 de abril (ATCC) -- El periodico Rodong Sinmun, en un comentario individual de este martes, califica de psicopata e imbecil politico a Shimomura, subdirector del Secretariado del Gabinete japones quien, en su reciente entrevista con una radio, tergiverso el caso de las "ex consoladoras sexuales" para el viejo ejercito nipon.
Ese tipejo conoce a las claras lo grave que es tal crimen de los imperialistas japoneses, pero, lo niega totalmente. Esto deviene un imperdonable desafio a las victimas de las "ex consoladoras" y a la conciencia y la justicia del mundo, senala el comentarista y continua:
Tal conducta de Shimomura revela fehacientemente la naturaleza de los descendientes de samurais que tienen la idea militarista hasta en sus tuetanos. Tambien refleja la posicion del gobierno japones con respecto a los crimenes belicos del pasado.
Con anterioridad, el premier japones Abe habia negado el caracter forzoso del problema de las "ex consoladoras". Por eso, los actos de ambos tipejos demuestran bien la comunidad de ideas y la actitud ultraderechistas y militaristas de la actual capa gobernante de Japon. Las autoridades japonesas no tratan de reconocer ni reflexionarse con sinceridad ni pedir disculpas por sus crimenes belicos del pasado.
Todo esto parte del sentimiento de venganza y ambicion de nueva agresion. He aqui la gravedad y la peligrosidad de las maniobras de los reaccionarios japoneses tendentes a tergiversar la historia y eludir la liquidacion del pasado criminal.
Tambien, Abe y otros politicos fraudulentos pretenden mantener el resto de su vida al negar y tergiversar los crimenes del pasado e internacionalizar el "problema del secuestro" ya solucionado.
El pueblo coreano no perdonara jamas a los reaccionarios nipones que niegan a sus crimenes del pasado e insultan a la nacion coreana.
Tendra lugar la funcion gimnastico-artistica masiva "Arirang"
Pyongyang, 3 de abril (ATCC) -- Con motivo del 95o aniversario del nacimiento (15 de abril) del Presidente Kim Il Sung tendra lugar de mediados de abril a finales de mayo en el capitalino Estadio Primero de Mayo la funcion gimnastico-artistica masiva "Arirang", obra laureada con el "Premio Kim Il Sung".
En estos dias, los creadores y los ejecutantes aceleran en etapa final la labor para representarla magnificamente como obra maestra que refleja el espiritu de la epoca actual.
Afiches por XXV Festival Artistico de Amistad
Pyongyang, 3 de abril (ATCC) -- En visperas del XXV Festival Artistico de Amistad Abril en Primavera que tendra lugar con motivo del Dia del Sol (15 de abril, cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung), el comite organizador de este certamen emitio los afiches.
Uno de los afiches, con la Kimilsungia y Kimjongilia y las salvas sobre el cielo de abril en primavera, refleja la sincera y ardiente alma del pueblo coreano que dara bienvenida a los artistas de los cinco continentes viniendo a Pyongyang, ciudad del festival, con bailes y canciones de elogio al gran hombre.
El otro con la consigna "!Cantemos vigorosamente las canciones de la independencia, la paz y la amistad!" y las figuras de los artistas de varios paises vestidos con ropas nacionales, insinua impresionadamente que el presente festival mostrara la aspiracion de la humanidad progresista a disfrutar de vida autentica en un nuevo mundo independizado.
Ademas, hay los afiches que describen bien a los cantantes, bailadores y acrobatas.